Venni Sri Karumbeswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Diety: Venni Karumbeswarar, Amman: soundaranayagi
Temple Address: Venni Karumbeswarar Temple, Koilvenni, Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu PH:9842294416
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Venni Karumbeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Koil Venni in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, as the moolavar presiding deity, in his manifestation as Karumbeswarar / Triambakeswarar / Rasapureeswarar / Venni Nathar. His consort, Parvati, is known as Azhagia Nayaki / Soundaranayagi. The historical name of the place is Thiruvenni. Sthala Vriksham is Nandia Vartham Vriksham.Theertham of this Temple are Surya and Chandra Theerthams. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams – Shiva Sthalams glorified in the early medieval Thevaram poems by Tamil Saivite Nayanmars Thirugnana Sambandar and Thirunavukkarasar. This is the 219th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 102nd Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Thala Virutcham : Nandia Vartham Theertham : Surya, Chandra Theerthams Agamam / Pooja : Kamya Agama

Puranic Significance

This is the birth place of noted Tamil Scholar Vennikuyathiar belonging to the Sangam Age. One of her songs in Purananuru mentions the war of Karikal Chola known as Vennippor – war of Venni. The Battle of Venni was fought by Karikala Chola between Pandya and Chera kings. The battle resulted in absolute victory for Karikala Chola and the Chera King Uthiyan Cheralathan starved himself to death. The battle, dated approximately 190 CE, is considered historical and Karikala is believed to have contributed to this temple’s development after the victory.He won the Pandya, Cheras and other chieftains with the blessings of Mother Pidari Amman at the age of 18. This is mentioned as the Great Victory in an epigraphic note. It is believed that worshippers of Pidari Amman have no fear of enemies. Celebrating their victories, Karikal Chola and Emperor Muchukunda have done extensive renovations to the temple. Tirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar (7th Century CE) have rendered Thevaram hymns here. Karumbeswarar: The region was once dense with Sugarcane fields. Two sages who visited this place felt the presence of Lord Shiva in this place. One argued that the sacred tree of the place be sugarcane while the other said that it should be Venni or the Nandhiavartham. Hearing their arguments, a voice from Lord Shiva said both could be the sacred trees. Since then, Lord is worshipped as Karumbeswarar in Tamil and Rasapureeswarar in Sanskrit. The place is named after the sacred tree as Venniyur. Later, this changed as Koil Venni.

Beliefs

Realizing their wish, devotees offer sweet pudding – sarkarai Pongal – as Nivedhana to Lord Realizing their wish, devotees offer sweet pudding – sarkarai Pongal – as Nivedhana to Lord. Diabetes patients worship here to get relief. Shiva here is said to reduce or cure diabetes. Shiva is called Venni Karumbeswarar. There is a special offering of Rava & sugar mix that is offered to Shiva to reduce the effect of diabetes. This mix is then spread around the temple to be consumed by ants.

Special Features

The temple main Gopuram is of three storeys, and single prakaram. The Temple is facing east. There is no Kodimaram. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, as the moolavar presiding deity, in his manifestation as Karumbeswarar / Triambakeswarar / Rasapureeswarar / Venni Nathar and is facing east. His consort, Parvati, is known as Azhagia Nayaki / Soundaranayagi and is facing south. The historical name of the place is Thiruvenni. Sthala Vriksham is Nandia Vartham Vriksham. Theertham of this Temple are Surya and Chandra Theerthams. The rays of Sun fall on the Lord on 2, 3 and 4 th day of Panguni-March-April. Lord in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. The Bana of the Shiva Linga appears as if covered by sugarcane bundles. The mandapam located on the outer side of Karuvarai was built at a later stage like Agazhi. Naalvar with Shankaracharya paintings can be found in Artha Mandapam. There are lots of inscriptions found on the outer walls of Karuvarai. Nandi Devar is located in a small mandapam at the entrance. Shrines for Vinayaka, Muruga with his consorts Valli and Daivayannai, Gajalakshmi, Bhairava, Navagraha, Surya, Chandra, Navagrahas, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbava, Durga, Chandikeswara and Nataraja can be found in this temple. Ganapathy, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingodhbava and Durgai are the Koshta Idols. Dwarabalakars in this temple are made of Sudhai.

Festivals

Navarathri celebrations in September –october , Panguni Uthram , Chithra Pournami , Vaikasi Visagam , Aani Thirumanjanam , Tirukarthikai , Thiruvadirai , Thai poosam and Masi Magam are celebrated in the temple.