Vasishteswarar Temple, Karanthai,
Thanjavur
Vasishteswarar Temple is a
Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Karanthai at the outskirts of
Thanjavur Town in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding
Deity is called as Vasishteswarar / Karunaswamy / Karuvelayuthaswamy and Mother
is called as Periya Nayagi Amman / Tiripura Sundari. The Temple is considered
as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns had a mention about this Temple. The
place was called as Karanthai / Karunthattankudi / Karunthittaikudi.
The Temple is believed to be
built in 7th Century AD. This Temple is situated on the south side of
rivers Kaveri, Kudamurutti & Vennar and north of Vira Chozha Vadavaru. Six
worship services are carried out each day in this Temple. The Temple is one of the 88 Temples under the
control Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam.
Legends
Karuna
Swamy:
As
per the legend, Chola King Karikalan got cured of Karungkushtam (leprosy) after
taking bath in the temple tank. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Karuna Swamy.
Vasishtha
Maharishi worshiped Lord Shiva here:
Vasishtha
Maharishi worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
History
Based
on the architecture, this temple might belong to Parantaka Chola period, but it
might have been existed during 7th Century, since Appar who lived
in 7th Century has sung hymns on Lord Shiva of this temple. The
Temple was later renovated by Chembiyan Madevi’s son Maduranthaga Uthama Chola.
The Temple
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Inscriptions
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Temple Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 07.30 AM to 11.00 AM and 05.00 PM to 08.00 hrs.
Festivals
Apart
from Pradhosham, Maha Shivarathri, Vasistha’s marriage with Arundhati is
celebrated in the month of Vaikasi in the Rohini asterism. The annual
Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi (Taurus), where the chariot
procession happens on the 9th day, and the glass palanquin Sapthasthana
festival occurs on the 12th day. The palanquin procession was stopped 25 years
ago. The Saptastanams here are Thenkudithittai Vasishteswarar
Temple, Thanjavur Thanjapureeswarar Temple, Kudalur Chokkanathar Temple, Kadakadappai
Rajarajeswarar Temple, Punnainallur Kailasanathar Temple, Thanjavur Poomalai
Vaidyanadheswarar Temple and Karanthai Vasishteswarar Temple.
Religious
Significance
This
is one of the Saptha Sthana Temples of Lord Shiva around Thanjavur. Other Temples
are;
·
Vasishteswarar
Temple, Thenkudithittai
·
Thanjapureeswarar
Temple, Thanjavur
·
Chokkanathar
Temple, Kudalur,
·
Rajarajeswarar
Temple, Kadakadappai
·
Kailasanathar
Temple, Punnainallur
·
Poomalai
Vaidyanadheswarar Temple, Thanjavur.
Literary Mention
The Temple is considered as
Thevara Vaippu Sthalam as Devaram hymns sung by Appar had a mention about this
Temple. The Temple is mentioned in 6th Thirumurai in 71th
Patikam in 3th Song.
நற்கொடி மேல் விடையுயர்த்த நம்பன் செம்பங்குடி
நல்லக்குடி நளி நாட் டியத்தான்குடி
கற்குடி தென்களக்குடி செங்காட்டங்குடி
கருந்திட்டைக்குடி கடையக்குடி காணுங்கால்
விற்குடி வேள்விக்குடி நல் வேட்டக்குடி
வேதிகுடி மாணிகுடி விடைவாய்க்குடி
புற்குடி மாகுடி தேவன்குடி நீலக்குடி
புதுக்குடியும் போற்ற இடர் போகுமன்றே
Prayers
It
is a belief that if anybody takes bath in Vasishtha Theertham continuously for
45 days will relieve them from Skin ailments and Leprosy.
Contact
Vasishteswarar Temple,Karanthai, Thanjavur - 613 002
Mobile: +91 93671 47823
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about
500 meters from Karanthai Petrol Bunk Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Thanjavur Old Bus
Stand, 8 Kms from Thanjavur New Bus Stand, 4 Kms from Thanjavur Junction
Railway Station, 11 Kms from Thiruvaiyaru, 38 Kms from Kumbakonam and 69 Kms
from Trichy Airport. This Temple is situated on Kumbakonam to Thanjavur Route. Frequent buses are available from Thanjavur
New Bus Stand.
Location