Karamadai Nanjundeswarar Temple, Coimbatore

Address

Karamadai, Mettupalayam Taluk,

Coimbatore District,

Tamil Nadu– 641 104

Phone: +91 4254 272 318 / 273 018

Moolavar

Nanjundeswarar

Amman

Ulagambikai

Introduction

Nanjundeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Karamadai Town in Mettupalayam Taluk in Coimbatore District in Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Nanjundeswarar and Mother is called as Ulagambikai / Ulaganayagi / Loka Nayagi. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Puranic Significance

This temple is believed to be built by Kongu Cholas. A copper plate inscriptions dated to 1479 AD belonged to this temple records a grant of the village named Poosarpalayam to the Brahmins. The endowment was made by Iswara Deva Raja, the general of Krishna Deva Raya. The temple was extensively renovated by Vijayanagara Kings and Nayak Kings during 16th Century AD.

During the churning of the Ocean of Milk (Samudra Manthana), Mount Mandara was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, a Nagaraja who abides on Lord Shiva’s neck, became the churning rope. During the churning process, the Halahala poison escaped from the mouth of the serpent king Vasuki. This terrified the gods and demons because the poison was so powerful that it could destroy all of creation. Despite this, the Devas and the Asuras pulled back and forth on the snake’s body alternately, causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn churned the ocean. The Devas then approached Lord Shiva for protection. Lord Shiva consumed the poison. As Lord Shiva drank the poison (Nanju), he came to be called as Nanjundeswarar. Lord Shiva was suffering intense pain due to the Halahala poison. Mother Parvati immediately places a hand on his throat, stopping the poison to flow any further, and by her Maya stopped it forever. As a result, his throat turned blue and he was henceforth called Neelakantha (the blue throated one; Neela – blue, Kantha – throat in Sanskrit). The timely intervention of Mother Parvathy prevented the Halahala poison entering Lord Shiva body beyond his throat. Thus, she saved Lord Shiva and thereby the world. Hence, she came to be called as Loka Nayagi.

Beliefs

This temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. Deepa Sthambam can be seen in front of the temple facing the Sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen in the Mukha Mandapam, facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Nanjundeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The Lingam is made of granite and appears red in color. The top of the Lingam is flat unlike the curved surfaces in other temples.

The Linga is carved in red stone instead of the black granite used in other temples. Besides the usual Avudayar holding the Shivalinga, there is also a carving of another Avudayar on the floor. This is a rare formation nowhere to be seen. The sanctum is designed in a unique way with eight elephants supporting the Vimana over the sanctum similar to the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Hence, the Vimana is called as Ashta Gaja Vimana. These elephant sculptures are about 6 feet tall. The outer walls of the sanctum houses the sculptures of Nardana Vinayaga, Subramanya, Veerabhadra, Rishbhantika, Palani Andavar, Mahishasura Mardhini, Anjaneya, Nataraja, Lakshmi Narayana, Pradosha Moorthy, Kali in dancing posture, Lord Shiva as hunter, Parvathy as dancer, Macha Vallabha emerging out of fish, soldier armed with sword and a goat worshipping Lord Shiva. There are also sculptures of living beings like cow, goat, elephant, swan, fish, snake, Yali horse, pig, tiger and bull.

Lord Dakshinamurthy appears without disciples. There is a sculpture showing planets Rahu and Ketu. Those afflicted by the adverse aspects of these planets worship here and the Linga nearby. The metal image of Chandrasekara is unique that the full image of Ganga is sculpted unlike the other temples where Shiva is sported with crescent alone. Mother is called as Ulagambikai / Ulaganayagi / Loka Nayagi. She is housed in separate east facing shrine.

Her Shrine is situated to the northern side of the sanctum. Her idol, Thiruvachi (the frame outside the idol) and the lotus flower in her hands are made out of a single stone. There is a shrine for Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena in the temple premises. This Shrine is situated in between the Sanctum and Mother Shrine thus making the Somaskanda form. Lord Murugan is depicted with 12 hands

All the three Shrines (Sanctum, Murugan Shrine and Mother Shrine) are situated in a row facing the east direction. There are two Vinayakas in this temple. Sthala Vinayaga is praised as Shenbaga Vinayaka. Lord Padala Vinayaka is in the prakara wall of Lord Shiva shrine. Worship of other deities is followed only after worshipping Padala Vinayaka according to tradition.

There is no shrine for Navagrahas (the nine planets) in the temple premises. There are shrines for Kalabhairava and Suryan in the temple premises. Lord Ranganatha is in a separate temple on the left side. The sacred spring for both temples is common behind the temples. The priests of both temples take the water from here for pujas during the Margazhi (December-January) morning pujas. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa tree.

Special Features

Festivals

Shivaratri festival during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May – June) and Aippasi Annabishekam in Aippasi (October – November) are the most prominent festivals celebrated here. As Lord Shiva consumed the poison at the dusk time called Pradosha time, special puja is performed at this time. Those affected with poison problems, pray to the Lord on Pradosha days (13th day either from full moon or New Moon day) and also any day – dusk time for cure. On the 10th day of Navaratri, Lord Ranganatha with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi from the adjacent Karamadai Ranganathar temple visits this temple to invite Lord Shiva for the arrow festival.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2022/01/nanjundeswarar-temple-karamadai-coimbatore.html