Thirukkaravasal Sri Kannayeera Nathar Temple- Thiruvarur

Address

Thirukkaravasal (Thirukkarayil) Sri Kannayeera Nathar Temple-Thirukkaravasal, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu . PIN- 610001 PH:9442403391

Diety

Kannayiranathar, Amman: Kailasanayagi

Introduction

Kannayariamudayar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirukkarayil in Thiruvarur district of Tamilnadu. The temple is revered in the Devaram hymns sung by 7 th century Tamil Saivite poet, Sambandar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. This Shivastalam (Tirukkaaraivaasal) is regarded as of the 7 Sapta Vitanka temples, housing shrines to Thyagaraja – Somaskandar associated with the Muchukunda Chola legend. Thirukkarayil is located 13 Kms south of Tiruvarur. This shrine is regarded as the 119th in the series of Thevara Sthalams in the Chola Region south of the river Cauvery. Thala Virutcham : Jack tree Theertham : Brahmma theertham, Sesha theertham

Puranic Significance

Saptha (seven) Vidanga Sthalas: Dangam means the tool of the sculptor. Vidangam means ‘without sculptor’s tool’. That which comes naturally without the use of Dangam or sculptor’s tool is called Vidangam or Swayambu. Seven places with such Vidanga or Swayambu Lingas are called Saptha (seven) Vidanga Sthalas. Indira won a war against the demons with the assistance of Emperor Muchukunda. As token of his gratitude, Indira wanted to present a gift to the emperor and asked him what he expected. Muchukunda asked for Vidanga Linga Indira had. Indira did not want to part with that valuable asset. He thought of making 6 such Lingas with the help of the divine sculptor Maya to present them to the emperor. He made them ready. Muchukunda, with his own divine power found the real Linga with its fragrance of Sengazhuneer flower. Realizing the play of Lord, Indira gave all the seven Lingas – 1 + 6 to Muchukunda. Muchukunda installed these seven Lingas in Seven places. These places are praised as Saptha Vidanga Sthalas. They are 1) Veedhi Vidangar in Tiruvarur; 2) Nagara Vidangar in Tirunallar; 3) Sundara Vidangar in Nagapattinam; 4) Avani Vidangar in Thirukkuvalai; 5) Neela Vidangar in Tiruvaimur; 6) Bhuvani Vidangar in Vedaranyam and 7) Aadhi Vidangar in Tirukaravasal. Lord Shiva graces his Kukkuda dance in this place. People worshipped Shiva here: Mother Mahalakshmi, Sages Kabala, Patanjali and Vyakrapada had worshipped Lord in this temple. Etymology: The place was dense with Karahil trees during the puranic period, it is said. Hence, this was named Tirukarahil and changed later as Tirukaravasal. KadukkaiVinayaga: There is also Kadukkai Vinayaka in the temple. Kadukkai is a nut with medicinal value and is used to be powdered and put in muddy water to make it crystal clear. This is also used as a medicine for cleaning stuffed belly. A trader stayed in this place with bags of Jadhikai also a medicinal nut that attracted higher tax. Vinayaka in the guise of a boy came to the trader and asked him about the contents in the bag. To avoid higher tax, the trader said that the bags contained Kadukkai. All the contents were found to be Kadukkai. Realizing that the boy was Vinayaka, the trader begged his pardon. They became Jadhikkai again. Since that day, the boy Vinayaka came to be known as Kadukkai Vinayaka. Indra worshipped Shiva here: Indra is said to have worshipped Shiva on a full moon night in the month of Virgo. Different Names: The place is called in different names in the hymns as Kurumaanakkudi, Kannaarkoyil and Thirukkaaraayil.

Beliefs

It is the faith of the devotees that a bath in the Sesha Theertha and worship of Lord Shiva would relieve them from sins and curses. Those suffering from vision problems use to apply the herbal mixture offered in the temple and bathe in the Theertham. They also consume the fig Prasad dipped in honey for cure. Those facing skin problems consume Sesha Theertha Prasad offered on Poornima-full moon days. Devotees can Perform Abishekam, Archanas and offer Vastras for Lord.

Special Features

Six worship services are offered here each day. The temple celebrates Brahmmotsavam on Vaikasi Visakam day in May-June. The temple celebrates special pujas on Tamil New Year day falling almost on April 14, abisheks to Lords Thyagaraja and Nataraja, Pradosham days-13th day of new or full moon fortnights, Sankatahara Chaturthi-the 4th day of new moon fortnight, Jupiter worship on Thursdays, Lord Muruga pujas in Karthikai-November-December, Kalashtami Bhairava Puja, New Moon and Full Moon day.