Thirundhuthevankudi Sri Karkadeswarar Temple- Ayilyam Nakshatra

Address

Thirundhuthevankudi Sri Karkadeswarar Temple, Thirundhuthevankudi – 612 105, Veppathur post, Thiruvidaimarudhur Taluk, Thanjavur District. Ph. No: 435 – 2000 240, 99940 15871, 99650-77862

Diety

karkadeswarar Amman: Somaskandar

Introduction

Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. There are two Goddesses in the temple against one normally seen in Shiva temples. They are in separate shrines. There is a hole on the body of Shivalinga made by a Karkadam –Cancer , a sea creature and an injury scar caused by Indira.Each nakshatra or birth star has a temple dedicated to it. Thus Ayilyam, the ninth star among 27 nakshatra, has a temple dedicated to it. Ayilyam natchathiram born people can offer prayers here to solve problems in their horoscope. The nakshatra born people can also offer prayers here for peace, prosperity, wealth and good education. Those born of Ayilyam star are generally short tempered and active and also dull at times. They are fair in complexion with broad eyes. They will teach righteousness to others. They are fond of earning and ornaments. They are spendthrifts too.

Puranic Significance

Sage Durvasa was mocked at by a Gandharva (a community known for their skill in music) that he was walking like a crab. The sage was just completing his Shiva Puja. The angry sage cursed him to become a Nandu. When he begged for pardon, the sage advised him to worship Shiva for relief. He followed the advice and got relieved. As the Lord graced the Nandu-Karkadaka- He is called Karkadeswarar. Indira the king of Devas, following the advice of his Guru Prahaspati worshipped the Lord here with 1008 flowers daily after a dip in Pushkarini and corrected himself for the wrongs he committed. Tirundhu means correcting oneself. Devan is Indira. Hence the name of the place is Tirundhu Devan Kudi. Locals know the place only as Nandu Koil. There are two Ambicas in the temple. When the king built the temple, he could not get the original Ambica idol. He made a new one and installed it as Arumarundhu Nayaki – Goddess of rare medicine. Within a few days, the original idol also appeared. Installing that too, he named her Apoorva Nayaki who is the principal Goddess of the temple.

Beliefs

Aslesha–Ayila star under Karkadaga-Cancer Rasi has naturally medicinal powers. They also have the confidence that they can achieve this through divine backing. They have a firm mind. They should pray to Lord of this temple on their star days, new moon days, Tuesdays, Saturdays and on Ashtami days in the new moon fortnight. People of other stars too depend on Lord Karkadeswara and Arumarundu Nayaki for cure from prolonged or chronic diseases.