Desikanathaswami Temple, Nagara Surakudi, Karaikudi,
Sivaganga
Sri
Desikanathaswami Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Nagara
Surakudi near Karaikudi in Sivaganga District of Tamilnadu. Lord Bhairava is
the prominent deity of the temple. Presiding deity is called as
Desikanathar and Mother is called as Avudai Nayagi. Thala Vriksham is Mango
Tree. Theertham is Bhairava Theertham. Aagama of this Temple is Shivagama. In
olden days, this place was called as Desikanathapuram.
Legends
Daksha,
father of Mother Parvathi conducted a yajna. He intentionally failed to
invite Lord Shiva, his son-in-law and daughter. Sun attended the yajna. Lord
Shiva sent his deputy Veerabadra to stop the yajna. Veerabadra not only stopped
the yajna and also punished Sun-Surya and others for their participation. Sun
came to this place and worshipped Lord Shiva seeking his pardon. Lord took
pity on Sun and granted darshan. The temple has this story behind it.
The
Temple
Lord
Bhairava is the prominent deity of the temple. Devotees worship Lord
Bhairava first before doing so in the presiding deity and Ambica shrines.
The camphor Arati offered to Lord and Mother is not offered to devotees for a
touch. Only the Arati offered to Bhairava is offered to them. After
the Janmashtami pujas, Homas and special pujas, Lord Bhairava is taken in
procession.
As a
tradition in Shiva temples, the presiding deity, Mother Goddess, Lords Vinayaka
and Muruga and Chandikeswara are revered as Panchamurthis-Five Murthis- taken
in procession. In this temple, during the Aani Uthira festival in
June-July, Lord Bhairava takes the place of Lord Chandikeswara. As the
place is under the Bhairava sthala category, this change is said to have been
followed.
Lord
Yoga Dakshinamurthi with a crown graces devotees from the Simha Mandapam, a
difference in this temple. The first puja in the temple is dedicated to Sun
God. Pujas to other deities follow only then. The history behind the
practice is that Sun worshipped Lord Shiva here and the place was dense with
Sun plants. Hence it got the name Suriyakudi which later changed as
Surakudi. Lord Nataraja in the temple is facing south.
Nandhi,
the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva is in the Mandapam carried by lions. There is
one more Bhairava in prakara behind Lord Shrine appears with a club in hand. Traditionally,
Lord Bhairava appears with a trident in his hands. Here, Lord Ananda Bhairava
graces with a club.
There is a Navagraha-nine planet Mandapam. There are
also shrines for Mothers Visalakshi, Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi, Lords Kasi
Viswanatha, Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai and 63 Nayanmars. Guardian
Deity Muneeswarar is on a round peeta.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Festivals
Lord
Bhairavar Janmashtami in the new moon fortnight of Margazhi-December-January;
Aani Uthira Vizha in June-July; Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January and
63 Nayanmar Guru Puja are the festivals celebrated in the temple. The temple
celebrates Champaka Sashti in Karthikai month covering November-December with
six days Homas and Lord Bhairava Janmashtami in new moon fortnight in
Margazhi-December-January.
Prayers
People
pray for peace in families and prosperity. Realizing their wishes, devotees
perform special pujas to presiding deity and Lord Bhairava offering vastras.
Contact
Sri
Desikanathaswami Temple,
Nagara
Surakudi, Sivaganga District
Phone: +91- 4565 -281
575
Connectivity
Nagara
Sura Kudi is 8 km far from Karaikudi. Bus facility is very infrequent. Visitors
may hire autos or cabs. The temple is near the bus stop. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Karaikudi and Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.
