Karaiveeram Sri Karaveeranathar Temple, Thiruvarur

Diety: Karaveeranathar, Amman: Prathyaksha minnammai
Temple Address: Karaiveeram Sri Karaveeranathar Temple, Tirukannamangai Karaiveeram, Vadakandam, Tiruvarur district Tamil Nadu 610104 PH:04366-241978
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Karavera Nathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Karaveram Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The presiding deity is Shiva called as Karavera Nathar / Brahmapureeswarar. Mother is called as Pratyakasha Minnammai. Unmarried women pray at the temple in order to get married. This Temple is also called as Brahmapureeswarar Temple. This place is called as Karaiyapuram / Vadakandam / Thiru Karaveeram. Sambandar, Sundarar and Thiru Navukkarasar have sung hymns in praise of the temple. This is the 208th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 91st Sthalam on the south side of River Cauvery in Chozha Naadu. Sthala Vriksham: Sevvarali – Red flower plant. Theertham : Anavaradha Theertham

Puranic Significance

Practice of women watering the sacred tree on every Pournami: Lord Shiva appointed Sage Gautama to take care of the Linga which he installed himself. The sage stayed in this sacred land, performed penance and sought the grace of Lord Shiva. Granting Darshan to the sage, Lord asked him his wish. The sage said that after his life time, nobody should see his mortal body. As the devotees would worship him also in the temple, he wanted to become the sacred tree of the temple and sought that boon. Lord obliged the sage. It is on the basis of this story, women use to water the sacred tree on every new moon day and worship Lord Brahmapureeswarar then. Etymology: Karaveeram means Ponnalari, a flower. The place is named after this plant -sacred tree. Practice of Night Stay in the Temple: Saint Thirugnana Sambandar had to stay here as night fell then. In his hymn on the Lord of Karaveeram, in each verse he had emphasized that the devotee would be relieved of his problems – Vinai in Tamil. Devotees therefore stay here for a night; worship the Lord next day for solutions to their problems. Lord granted Salvation to a Donkey: A donkey performed penance in this place on Lord Shiva for his darshan. As its wish was not in sight, frustrated, it decided to fall in the sea at Nagore. The animal heard a sound and turned back and its joy knew no bounds as Lord granted his darshan and also salvation, according to Puranas. Because of this event, there is no flag post before Lord’s shrine and houses or buildings up to Nagore from this place. The philosophy is that Lord does not discriminate among beings to shower his grace. Marriage Sthalam: Women of the celestial world once met Lord and Mother at Mount Kailash and sought wedding boon. Mother Parvathi looked at Lord for the reply. Lord Shiva made a Shivalinga himself, installed it on the southern bank of Cauvery and advised the women to worship the Linga. They followed the advice and were rewarded with suitable matches. Even today, women use to water the sacred tree here on new moon days and worship Lord Brahmapureeswarar then to gain wedding boon. It is believed that their wish is materialized before the next new moon day.

Beliefs

Ladies of the divine world once met Lord and Mother at Mount Kailash and looked for wedding shelter. Mother Parvathi took a gander at Lord for the answer. Ruler Shiva made a Shivalinga Himself, introduced it on the southern bank of Cauvery and exhorted the ladies to adore the Linga. They took after the exhortation and were remunerated with suitable matches. Indeed, even today, ladies utilization to water the hallowed tree here on new moon days and worship Lord Brahmapureeswara then to increase wedding aid. It is trusted that their wish is appeared before the following new moon day.

Special Features

The temple is facing east without Rajagopuram. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. Presiding Deity is called as Karavera Nathar / Brahmapureeswarar. Mother is called as Pratyakasha Minnammai. Moola Lingam, the Ambal and the temple itself are all big in size. Both Moolavar and Ambal are facing east. Moolavar Vimanam is little taller like Rajagopuram. Sthala Vriksham is Sevvarali – Red flower plant. Theertham is Anavaradha Theertham / Brahma Theertham. Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Lord Raja Ganapathy. It is considered sacred for the ladies to water the Sthala Vriksham Pon Alari and worship Brahmapureeswarar on New Moon days.

Festivals

Every new moon day is a festival day in the temple. Also, Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January; Maha Shivrathri in February-March and Panguni Uthiram in March-April are grandly celebrated in the temple.