Thursday, September 1, 2016

Desikanathaswami Temple, Nagara Surakudi, Karaikudi, Sivaganga

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.