Sri Karkadeswarar Temple / Karkadeswarar Temple / கற்கடேஸ்வரர் ஆலயம் / மணவூர் / Manavur, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Karkadeswarar Temple at Manavur, was a part of “Ashta Siddhi Temples” visit, located between Kosasthalaiyar and Koovam rivers, on the north side of Perambakkam. Apart from Shiva temples, on the way visited Perumal temples also.

Moolavar  : Sri Karkadeswarar

Consort    : Adhi Kamakshi Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

The temple is facing east with an entrance metal arch. Rishabam and balipeedam are in the mukha mandapam. Murugan and Vinayagar are on both side of the ardha mandapam entrance. There is no provision for the Koshtas, hence no images are installed.

In praharam Bairavar and Chandikeswarar. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple adhistanam with 3 angas. There is no Kostas and pilaster on the bhitti / wall.  An eka thala vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Maha nasis are on the 4 cardinal directions. Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva koshtams. The Vimanam over the Ambal sanctum sanctorum is also with similar construction.

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple was built during Pallava period and latter received contributions from Chozhas.  During our first visit through REACH Foundation the temple was in dilapidated conditions and tree’s roots are grown on the walls of sanctum sanctorum.

The Temple was reconstructed with the same stones and sculptures. A concrete Mukha mandapam was added during recent years. Maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 27^th January 2019.

LEGENDS

It was told that Kanchi Periyavar once stayed in this temple, when he was on tour. This temple is for the Kataka rasi temple, They can perform the pariharam in this temple. Shri Shiva gave moksham to nandu ( crab ).

It is also believed that worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple will reduce the impact from Cancer decease.

This is one of the Ashta Siddhi Shiva temples ( 8 Shiva Temple ) located between Koovam and Kosasthalaiyar  rivers, on the north side of Perambakkam in Tiruvallur District. It is believed that the Sage Agathiyar installed these 8 Shiva Lingas, worshiped and obtained ashta siddhis. Each Shiva temple is associated with one of the Ashta siddhis. By worshiping Sri Karkadeswarar of this temple, one can obtain all the 8 Siddhis / Ashta siddhis.

An Old Photo taken during our first Visit

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala pooja, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri,  Vinayagar Chaturthi, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted the exact time of opening and closing are unpredictable

CONTACT DETAILS

The Trustees +918012247358, +918098795873 and Swaminatha Sivachariyar +918870360043 may be contacted for further details and worship.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Manavur is 9 KM from Perambakkam, 18 KM from Tiruvallur, 21 KM from Arakkonam and 67 KM from Chennai Central.

Nearest Railway station is Manavur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

Ref: A Book on Ashta Siddhi Temples by Mr Sai Kumar

OLD TEMPLE PHOTOGRAPHS

taken during our First Visit

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---