Devi Karu Maari Amman Temple, Thiruverkadu – Legends
Karuvil Illadha Karumari:
There
was an ant-hill in this place long ago. People were worshipping this as Mother
Ambica. Mother appeared in the dream of a devotee and asked him to build a temple
for her in that spot. When people demolished the ant-hill, they found Ambica as
a Swayambu and built the temple here. As she was not in the womb of a Mother,
she is praised as one not from the womb (Karuvil Illadha Karumari).
Velankaadu:
In
ancient days, this place was a forest filled with Velvela trees and hence was
called as Velankaadu, which later turned to get its present name.
Velkadu:
This is
the place where Lord Muruga got his Vel from Parasakthi to destroy Suran and so
is called Velkadu or Thiruverkadu.
Lord Surya got relieved of his curse here:
According
to the legend, once Karumaari Amman took form of a fortune teller and went to
Sun God for predicting his future. Surya Bhagwan neglected her and Mother
vanished from his sight, because of which Sun God lost his powers and glory.
Then Surya Bhagwan realized that it was none other than the Goddess herself and
came and worshipped her here at Thiruverkadu, seeking apologies.
Goddess
pardoned him with mercy and Surya Bhagwan requested her to bless that Sunday
(Sun God’s day) be the auspicious day for the Devi here. Goddess obliged to it.
Also, the Sun God spread his rays on the Goddess here during the Tamil months
Panguni and Purattasi to show his devotion to the Goddess.
Ritual of First Pooja to Lord Vinayaga:
It is
said that Vinayagar (Lord Ganesha) worshipped the Goddess here by performing
Abishekam using Valampuri Sanghu (Conch). The Goddess got pleased with his
worship and blessed him that the poojas at the temple will first be performed
to Vinayagar and then to her. Vinayagar can be seen in the temple near
Dwajasthambam. While entering the temple, one has to pray him and then go
further to worship Karumaari Amman.
Verkanni taking over the duty of Lord Shiva here:
Once,
when the Asuras gave troubles to Devas, they came and worshipped Lord Shiva at
Thiruverkadu, to save them. Lord Shiva called his Devi Verkanni and directed
her to look after his duties till he is back from Devaloka. Lord Shiva gave her
the holy ashes from his body and blessed her. The Goddess asked Sage Agasthiyar
to look for a holy place where she can perform the heavenly duties assigned by
Lord Shiva.
When
Sage Agasthiyar was thinking of such place, he heard an Asareeri (a holy voice)
saying that the place where he was standing itself is a holy place. Goddess
took abode here as Karumaari Amman and also blessed the place that one will be
removed of all the sins by worshipping her at Thiruverkadu.
Karumari:
Thiruverkadu
is the place where all 3 Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva have worshipped the
Goddess. Hence, she is called as Karumaari here. Ka means Brahma, Ru means
Rudhra or Shiva, and Ma means Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu protect the position of Navagrahas here:
Once
upon a time Lord Thirumal came to Thiruverkadu to witness the rule of Umadevi.
When Thirumal personally met his sister Karumari, she requested him to sit
there as Srinivasan of Thirumurai and assist her and bless the devotees who
worship Navagraha and stand towards southern direction. He was happy and
promised her that he would sit by her side and protect the position of nine
planets.
Power of Turmeric of Devi Karumari:
Two
sisters by name Sundari and Sarathai were in the snake world. They were
attractive, but they could not get suitable bridegroom. To redress this
grievance, they performed pooja for Kali. Narada came there and told them that
the time was perfect to go to Thiruverkadu and pray to Karumari to get her
blessings. Mother appeared before these sisters and instructed them to take a
bath in the Sambar Poigai and drink turmeric water for one Mandalam and pray to
Sakthi to ensure that their grievances were redressed and they would lead happy
lives.
As per
instructions of Devi Karumari, both the sisters performed the pooja. At the end
of one Mandalam, two princes Sambu and Balan came there and saw Sundari and
Sarathai. They fell in love with each other. Sundari married Sambu and Sarathai
married Balan and they lived happily for a long time. Even now the turmeric of
Devi Karumari blesses unmarried girls with bridegrooms and children for
childless couples.
Kathavarayan:
Kathavarayan
was born from the rays of Lord Siva's third eye. Devi formed a garden on the
banks of the river Ganga and appointed Kathavarayan as watchman. Once he took
away the dresses of women who came there for bathing and so he was cursed by
Devi Karumari. Because of that curse he had to take birth seven time. King also
punished him to die on pointed stake (Kazhumaram).
When he
was about to die on pointed stake (Kazhumaram), he got relieved from the curse.
Karumari took pity on him and instructed him to sit on the North-east quarter
side and bless all those who come to see her. Celebrations are being held for Kathavarayan
on Chitrai Full Moon Day. Kathavarayan is taken round the temple in glass tank
which is the specialty of the function.
Recreation of the World:
Long ago,
the area where the temple is located today was surrounded by white Neem (Vela Maram).
So, this place is called as Verkaadu and later turned as Thiruverkadu. Once the
entire world got destroyed due to the flood, Shiva wanted to construct the
world again from the beginning. Once the flood got drained he converted the
four Vedas into trees and self-made Linga was there under the tree. Ambal also
was created along with the Linga. With the blessings of the Ambal, all Devas
and living beings had been created. The place where the Ambal and Lingam is
there is called as Thiruverkadu.
