Sri Karpaganathar Temple / கற்பகநாதர் கோயில், கடிக்குளம் / கற்பகநாதர் குளம், Kadikulam / Karpaganatharkulam, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

This the 226^th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 109^th Shiva temple on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This place was called as Kadikulam during Thevaram period and now called in the name of Lord Shiva of this temple as “Karpaganatharkulam”.

 

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Kodi kuzhakar.

கண்ஆர்ந்த திருநுதலார் மகிழ்ந்தகடிக்குளம் இறைஞ்சி

எண்ஆர்ந்த திருஇடும்பாவனம் ஏத்தி எழுந்தருளி

மண்ஆர்ந்த பதிபிறவும் மகிழ்தரும் அன்பால் வணங்கிப்

பண்ஆர்ந்த தமிழ்பாடிப் பரவியே செல்கின்றார்

Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

பொடிகொள் மேனிவெண் ணூலினர் தோலினர் புலியுரி யதளாடை

கொடிகொள் ஏற்றினர் மணிகிணின் எனவரு குரைகழல் சிலம் பார்க்கக்

கடிகொள் பூம்பொழில் சூழ்தரு கடிகுளத்து உறையும்கற் பகத்தைத் தம்

முடிகள் சாய்த்தடி வீழ்தரும் அடியாரை முன்வினை மூடாவே

……. திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

                                                -“தொல்லைப்

படிக்குள் நோவாத பண்புடையோர் வாழ்த்தும்

கடிக்குளத்து அன்பர் களிப்பே”

……. திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Karpaganathar, Sri Karpakeswarar.

Consort    : Sri Soundara Nayaki, Sri Bala Soundari

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. A pradhosha Nandhi / Rishabam is in front of the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are after the Rajagopuram. In sanctum Moolavar baanam is of eight faces / Dhara Lingam looks beautiful. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.

In prakaram Nalvar, Sthala Vinayagar, Murugaperuman, Gajalakshmi, Shaniswararn, Bhairavar, Suriyan, Chandran, Navagrahas and Kala bhairavar. Ambal sannadhi is in the mandapam facing south.

There is a separate temple for Avvaiyar at Thulasiyam Pattina, which is about 2 KM from this place. This was built by the Thanjavur King Saraboji’s father Thulaja Maharaja. It is believed that the legend of “sutta pazham and Sudatha pazham”, between  Murugan and Avvaiyar, was happened at this place.

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple cosists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The adhistanam is  of simple pada bandha adhistanam with three patta Kumudam. The Bhitti starts with Vedhika. The Koshtas are patra koshtas- little protruding out side. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapoytam with nasi koodus and viyyalavari. A Three tier brick  Nagara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum Sanctorum from adhistanam to parastaram was built with stone. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7^th Century. Latter the same was reconstructed as a stone temple during Chozha period and further extended / maintained by, Nayakas, Marathas and Nattukottai Nagarathars.

A Village called Karayangadu was gifted to this temple by Thanjavur King and the temple has lands in many villages. The Maratha’s period inscriptions records many endowments were established by the Maratha Kings.

LEGENDS

The temple tank’s name is Kadikulam. Hence it is believed that this place obtained this temple tanks name as “Kadikulam”.

It is believed that a demon called Karthikasuran worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple and got the boons like “Karpaga Vruksham”, hence Lord Shiva is praised as “Karpaganathar”. As per the purana, any wishes under the Karpaga Vruksham tree will be fulfilled.

As per the purana, Rama, Sita, Lakshmanan and Hanuman came to this temple and offered prayers, for constructing the Sethu bridge. Hence it is believed that it will be auspicious to offer butter to Lord Shiva of this temple. To Support this Legend, there is a Kothanda Ramar Temple in the same Village.

The legend applicable to the Idumbavanam temple is also applicable to this temple.  A Brahmin was carrying his father’s asthi to dissolve in Ganga river after carrying out rituals at Kashi. On his way he stayed here and found the ashes turned in to flower. His father came in his dream and advised the Brahmin to dissolve here itself. The Brahmin carried out as advised by his father, in his dream. Devotees in large numbers used gather in this temple especially on new moon days ( amavasya ) to do pithru pariharam. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikasi Visakam in the month Vaikasi ( May – June ), Aani Thirumanjanam in the month Aani ( June – July ), Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Navaratri in the month Purattasi ( Sept – Oct ), Skanda Sashti \ in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Thaipoosam in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradoshams.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Land Line numbers +91 4369 240 632, +91 4369 240187 and the mobile number +91 99428 12437 may be contacted for further details

HOW TO REACH

The town bus from Thiruthuraipoondi to Thondiyakadu passes through this place. Mini bus is also available from Muthupettai.

Buses are also also available from Voimedu

Idumbavanam is about 1.5 KM from Karpakanathar Kulam

The temple is 16 KM from Muthupettai, 18 KM from Thiruthuraipoondi, 29 KM from Vedaranyam, 37.5 KM from Pattukottai, 45 KM from Thiruvarur,  44 KM from Mannargudi, 81 KM from Kumbakonam, 85.7 KM from Thanjavur, and 355 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Thiruthuraipoondi ( Muthupet / Muthupettai is a small station )

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---