Karuveli Sri Sarkunanathaswarar Templem, Thanjavur

Address

Karuveli Sri Sarkunathaswarar Temple, Karuveli Kandallur Post Eranganjeri SO Thanjavur District PIN – 605501 PH:9442932942

Diety

Sarkuna natheswarar Amman: Survaya nayagi

Introduction

Sarguneswarar Temple is a Hindu temple in the village of Karuveli in the Thiruvarur district of Tamilnadu. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old and dedicated to Shiva. Presiding Deity is called as Sarguneswarar and Mother is called as Sarvanga Nayaki. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa and Theertham is Yama Theertham. The place is known as Thiru Karuveli, and temple as Kottittai. The temple is situated on the banks of Arasalaru River.This place is also called as Karuvilikottidai an Sarguneswarapuram. This Temple is considered as 180th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 63rd Sthalam on the south side of river Cauvery in Chozha Naadu. Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Lord Shiva is said to have performed a unique dance called ‘Kodukotti’ at this place.

Puranic Significance

The Sthalapuranam of this temple interestingly depicts the story of King Daksha, father of goddess Dakshayani, was conducting a yagna without inviting Lord Shiva. Dakshayani without heeding the advice of Shiva, came to the yagna to demand an explanation from her father. Unable to bear the humiliation caused by King Daksha, she threw herself on the sacred fire and immolated herself. Shiva became extremely angered on seeing this and started performing the Rudhra Thandavam. His rage was so fierce that other worlds were unable to bear it and begged Lord Vishnu to help them who with the use of his Chakra cut Dakshayani’s body into 51 pieces and threw them in 51 different places. These places came to be known as Shakthi Sthals. He calmed the fury of Shiva promising that Dakshayani would be reborn as Parvathi, the daughter of Parvatha Raja whom Shiva would then marry and that he Lord Vishnu himself would conduct the marriage in Mount Kailash. The story goes to say how Shiva later came to a place called Ambasamudhiram to perform penance and it is here that he saw Parvathi in all of her beauty and she danced for Lord shiva. This place came to be known as Kottitai. Shiva later on went on to marry her in Mount Kailash.

Beliefs

Since this temple has blessed and benefitted the marriage of Sarvanga Sundari Amman with Lord Siva, men and women longing for their marriage come and offer prayers at the temple for an early marriage. Also couples who wish to have a child and students who want to score high marks regularly come to the temple. Devotees Offer Abishek and vastras for Lord and Ambal.

Special Features

It is believed that Indra was worshiped in the temple.The lesson is that having been born to a wicked person in the past birth, even the divine Mother had to be born again to get back Her Lord so that she would not have to be born again. Those worshipping in this temple will have the eternal happiness of total salvation. Hence the place came to be known as Karu Illai meaning that there would be no entering into a womb again. In course of time, it got changed as Karuveli which is also an apt name meaning that the place was a fence not allowing a further birth. The place is believed to help one to retain all his/her noble traits for ever and also reform him/her completely from previous wicket qualities. The Lord therefore is praised as Sarguna Nather. Sargunam-noble traits.

Festivals

Every year Samvathsara Abishekam and homam are performed on the day when the Kumbabishekam was held. Maha abishekam is performed to the Amman and Siva, followed by Ganapathi, Navagraha homams and the divine marriage is performed to the deities in the evening. Every year Maha Shivarathri and Thiruvathirai the special days for lord Siva are celebrated with all gaiety. Aadi Friday, Thai & during Navarathri are important days at the temple when the beautiful Ambal is grandly decorated and Lalitha Sahasranamam is chanted from morning till evening.