Karpaganatharkulam Sri Karpageswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Karpaganatharkulam Sri Karpaganathar Temple, Karpaganatharkulam, Via Thondiakadu, Tiruvarur district- -614 703 Phone Numbers: +91- 4369 – 240 632

Diety

Karpageswarar, Amman: Soundaranayagi

Introduction

Karpaganatharkulam Karpaganathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Karpaganatharkulam in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, as the moolavar presiding deity, in his manifestation as Karpaganathar. The main idol is a Shivalinga is hexagonal in shape. His consort, Parvati, is known as Balasundari. The historical name of the place is Tirukadikulam. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar. This is the 226th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 109th Shiva temple on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.

Puranic Significance

Karthikasuran worshipped Lord Shiva here and acquired many boons: A demon Karthikasuran by name worshipped Lord Shiva here and acquired many boons. As the Lord poured boons on him as the Karpaga tree (the tree will give anything to anyone if asked standing under the tree), he built a temple for the Lord and named him Karpaganathar. Lord Sri Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here: It is said that Lord Sri Rama worshipped in this temple before taking up the construction of Sethu Bridge. Nearby Sri Kothandaramar temple attests this story. Pithru Parihara Sthalam: According to one story the ashes brought by a Brahmin to perform the last rituals for his father turned into a Kondrai flower at this place. Therefore, indicating that this is a good place to do Pithru pooja. KarpagaVinayakar obtained celestial Mango: Karpaga Vinayakar prayed to Shiva and obtained the celestial Mango fruit of knowledge here by circumambulating his parents Shiva and Parvathi. There is an exclusive shrine for Ganapathi parallel to Karpakanatha’s Temple.

Beliefs

Devotees seek boons for different needs. A suitable place for performing rituals related to ancestors. Realizing their wishes, devotees donate butter and worship the Lord.

Special Features

The Rajagopuram is of 3 tiers and facing east. Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy and called as Karpaganathar as he blesses the devotees like a Kalpaka Vruksha which grants all the desires. His consort is called as Balasundari / Soundara Nayaki Ambal. Sthala Vriksham is Jack tree and Theertham is called as Vinayaka Theertham. Vinayaga Theertham is located in front of the Temple. There is an exclusive shrine for Ganapathi parallel to Karpakanatha’s Temple and he is called as Mangani Vinayaka. Lord Shiva graces in the form of a hexagonal Linga. This gives the hope the to the devotees that worshipping Lord Shiva in this form rewards them with eight kinds of assets from Mother Mahalakshmi such as wealth, grains, education, success in endeavors, children etc. Devotees pray to Lord especially on Ashtami days – eighth day of new moon or full moon days and Wednesdays between 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m. or between 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. covering Mercury Hora time, with a mix of Butter and Saffron to achieve their desires. Butter Prasad is very famous in this temple. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothpavar, Brahma and Durgai are Koshta idols located around the sanctum. Sannadhi for Naalvar, Sthala Vinayagar, Muruga, Gajalakshmi, Saneeswarar, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Navagrahas and Kaala Bairavar can be seen in this Temple. Adjacent to Karpaga Vinayaka’s Temple is Kothandaramar Temple indicating that Ramar has visited this place on the way to Srilanka.