Tirundhuthevankudi Sri Karkadeswarar Temple- Thanjavur

Address

Tirundhuthevankudi Sri Karkadeswarar Temple- Vepathur Post, Tiruvidaimarudhur Taluk, Thanjavur District – 612 105.

Diety

Sri Karkadeswarar Amman: Sri Arumarundunayagi

Introduction

Karkadeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Thirundudevankudi / Nandaan Koil village near Kumbakonam Town in Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk in Thanjavur District in Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Karkadeswarar / Arumarunthu Devar / Devadevesar. Generally, One Mother Parvathy shrine is found in Shiva temples. But here there are two Mother Parvathy Shrines namely Arumarunthu Nayaki and Apoorva Nayaki. This temple is nowadays famously known as Nandaan Kovil / Nandu Koil. The temple is considered as Parihara Sthalam for Kataka or Karkata Rasi and Aayilyam or Ashlesha Nakshatram in particular.

Puranic Significance

Sage Durvasa was mocked by a Gandharva man that he was walking like a cancer–nandu (in Tamil). The sage was just completing his Shiva Puja. The angry sage cursed him to become a Nandu. (Crab) 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. The temple is also known as Nandu Koil. Those belonging to Ayilya star are advised to pray in this temple as often as they could or on their star days or on their birthdays. It is said that the Swaymbulinga in the place was buried under the sand due to heavy floods during the reign of a Chola king who was attacked with paralysis. No treatment yielded results. He was praying to Lord Shiva for remedy. An aged couple practicing medicine came to his court and offered him the sacred ash with water. Surprisingly, the king was cured instantly and stood up majestically. He begged the old couple to stay with him as doctors of the royal family in the palace but they refused. He offered them gold and other gifts which too they declined to accept. The king promised them that he would give them anything they wished. They brought the king to this spot and asked him to build a temple for Lord Shiva. They merged with the Shivalinga there. Realizing that the couple was none other than Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi, the king built the temple at the place. Worshipping Shiva here ensures all cures from any illness. 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. This is the temple for remedies needed for Punarvasu (Punarpoosam), Pushya (Poosam) and Ayilayam (Aslesha) star natives falling under Cancer sign in the zodiac. We can see a hole on the Linga made by a cancer (nandu) and an injury scar caused by Indira. Planet Moon is in a shrine at the entrance of the temple in meditating form as Yoga Chandra. Those undergoing Moon main period in their life are advised to offer white vastras (clothes) to Chandra if they have adverse aspects. Aslesha-Ayila star under Karkadaga-Cancer Rasi natives have naturally medicinal powers. They also have the confidence that they can achieve this through divine backing. 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 may depend on Lord Karkadeswara and Arumarundu Nayaki for cure from prolonged diseases.

Special Features

Sign No: 4 Type: Water Lord: Moon English Name: Cancer Sanskrit Name: Kataka Meaning of Sanskrit Name: The Crab The characteristics of this house are flexibility, interest in mysteries, travelling indisposition. It rules chest and heart of the body. Public and social prominence can be expected. The influence of the parents will be very great. Will have a secret and concealing nature. The person of this rasi will be extremely sensitive. Complaints of health arise out of the emotional or worried nature. Often they tend to have problems in married life including possible loss of issues. Dasas of Mars, Jupiter and Ketu are good ones. Mars is the benefactor. Dasas of Venus, Mercury and Rahu are bad. Sensitivity of lungs and health complaints connected with brain and breathing may cause problems.

Festivals

Mahashivrathri in February-March and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Thirundudevankudi

Nearest Railway Station

Kumbakonam Station

Nearest Airport

Trichy

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