Karanthai Karunaswamy Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Karanthai Karunaswamy Temple, Karanthai, Thanjavur – 613 002 Mobile: +91 93671 47823

Diety

Vasishteswarar / Karunaswamy / Karuvelayuthaswamy Amman: Periya Nayagi Amman / Tiripura Sundari.

Introduction

Vasishteswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Karanthai at the outskirts of Thanjavur Town in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Vasishteswarar / Karunaswamy / Karuvelayuthaswamy and Mother is called as Periya Nayagi Amman / Tiripura Sundari. The Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar. The place was called as Karanthai / Karunthattankudi / Karunthittaikudi. The Temple is believed to be built in 7th Century AD. This Temple is situated on the south side of rivers Kaveri, Kudamurutti & Vennar and north of Vira Chozha Vadavaru. Six worship services are carried out each day in this Temple. The Temple is one of the 88 Temples under the control Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam.

Puranic Significance

As per the legend, Chola King Karikalan got cured of Karungkushtam (leprosy) after taking bath in the temple tank. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Karuna Swamy Vasishtha Maharishi worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Based on the architecture, this temple might belong to Parantaka Chola period, but it might have been existed during 7th Century, since Appar who lived in 7th Century has sung hymns on Lord Shiva of this temple. The Temple was later renovated by Chembiyan Madevi’s son Maduranthaga Uthama Chola.

Beliefs

It is a belief that if anybody takes bath in Vasishtha Theertham continuously for 45 days will relieve them from Skin ailments and Leprosy

Special Features

The temple is facing east but the entrance to the temple complex is from the south side with a two tier Rajagopuram. Nandi, Dwajastambam and Balipeedam are located in the Maratha Period Mandapam. Shrines of Nardana Ganapthy, Murugan, Vinayaga, Saneeswarar, Surya and Bhairava can be found in the next Mandapam. There is another Gopuram at the rear entrance of the Temple. The Temple is having two prakaram. The Temple has entrances on all four sides. There are two entrances to inner prakaram; one in the east and other is in the south. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala, Arthamandapam. The Sanctum is on the Padmabhanda adhistana. Presiding Deity is called as Vasishteswarar / Karunaswamy / Karuvelayuthaswamy. Presiding Deity is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. He is facing east. Dwarapalakas guards the entrance of the sanctum. Also, Vinayaga and Murugan can be found at the entrance of the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum is of Agazhi type. The vimana and the external wall of the main shrine are beautiful with a lot of attractive sculptures. Thirugnanasambanthar,Vasishtha, Rishi Pattini, Vinayagar, Vakeesar, Nataraja, Gangalamoorthy, Murugan, Durga, Dakshinamurthy, Gangadhara, Arthanareeswarar, Lingothbhavar, Kalarimoorthy, Gantharar, Visarjanar, Brahma, Veenadhara Dakshinamurthy, Kalasamharamoorthy, Bikshadana, Kalyana Sundarar, Agastya, Vishnu and Tirunavukkarasar are the nice images found on the sanctum walls. The Ardhanareeshwara image in the niche of the sanctum shows Parvathi devi constituting the right half of Shiva, in contrast to the norm, where she occupies his left. Chandikeswarar Shrine is found in its usual location. Mother is called as Periya Nayagi Amman / Tiripura Sundari. She is housed in a separate shrine in the Arthamandapam facing south with a separate Nandhi and Dwajastambam immediately after the south side Rajagopuram. The vavalnethi Arthamandapam was built during Maratha period. There are shrines for Adhi Vinayagar, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Valli & Devasena, 7 Lingas, Jwarahareswarar, Gajalakshmi, Nataraja, Navagrahas, Bhairavar and Nagas in the outer prakaram. Palliayarai and Vahana Mandapam can also be found in the outer prakaram. There are four shrines dedicated to Vinayagar on each corner of the outer prakaram. There is a shrine for Bala Dhandayudhapani on the western entrance in the outer prakaram. Outer Prakaram is dated to Maratha Period. Theertham (Temple Tank) is called as Vasishtha Theertham and is situated opposite to the Temple. Sthala Vriksham is Vanni Tree.

Festivals

Apart from Pradhosham, Maha Shivarathri, Vasistha’s marriage with Arundhati is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi in the Rohini asterism. The annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi (Taurus), where the chariot procession happens on the 9th day, and the glass palanquin Sapthasthana festival occurs on the 12th day. The palanquin procession was stopped 25 years ago. The Saptastanams here are Thenkudithittai Vasishteswarar Temple, Thanjavur Thanjapureeswarar Temple, Kudalur Chokkanathar Temple, Kadakadappai Rajarajeswarar Temple, Punnainallur Kailasanathar Temple, Thanjavur PoomalaiVaidyanadheswarar Temple and Karanthai Vasishteswarar Temple.