Karkodeswarar Temple,
Kamarasavalli – The Temple
The
temple faces the east. This temple may be assigned to
the period of Sundara Chola with later additions. The Sanctum Sanctorum
consists of Artha Mandapam, Mukhamandapam and Sanctum. The Artha Mandapam
measures 24 feet length. Mukha Mandapam might be of later addition. The Ardhamandapam projects
24 feet (7.3 m.) forward. There is a later mukha-mandapa. There is a
large idol of Vinayaga can be found at the entrance. Nandi and Balipeedam can
be found on a high pedestal facing the sanctum.
Presiding Deity is called as
Karkodeswarar / Soundareswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum
in the form of Lingam. Vimanam over the sanctum is of three tiers and the
shikara is of round shape. The foundation and the sanctum is of granite
construction but the superstructure over the sanctum is of brick and mortar.
The sanctum is of square shape with 16 feet. There are two central projections on
each side of the outer wall of the sanctum.
The central devakoshta is
enclosed by two pilasters adorned with koshta pancharas on either
side. The kumudam is octagonal. There is a bhutagana frieze below the cornice
and a Yali frieze above it. Nataraja, Ganapati, Dakshinamurti and
Agastya (in the southern side); Ardhanarishvara, Lingodbhava and Gangalamoorthy
(on the western side); Kalasamhara, Brahma, Bikshadana
and Durga (on the
northern side) are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
Chandikeswarar Shrine can be
found in his usual location. Mother is called as Balambika
/ Valambal. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. She is in standing
posture. There are shrines for Vinayaka, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli &
Deivanai, Mahalakshmi, Saraswathi and Navagrahas in the
Temple premises.
The
temple has a separate west facing Mandapam, houses Lord
Nataraja and his consort Shivagami. There is a west
facing shrine for Lord Bhairava can be found near Nataraja Sabha. He is without
his Jwalakesa and his vehicle dog. There are many stone images of serpents
where devotees pray for relief from the adverse effects of serpent planets (Raghu
and Ketu - Sarpa Dosha).
There is a beautiful metal
(Aimpon - an alloy of bronze, copper, etc) idol of Rathi Devi in this temple,
in the posture of begging Lord Shiva seeking boon to save her Mangal Sutra
(in local language Thaali or Mangalyam). There are beautiful sculptures and
bronzes of Chola period in this temple. The temple has a sculpture in which
Karkodaga is seen performing puja
for Lord Shiva,
with Vinayaka and Nandi
(bull). It is said that people of the Cancer zodiac sign should pray here
for relief.
Every pillar is studded with
sculptural beauty. The miniature sculptures (friezes) around the main shrine
are examples of fine workmanship. The temple has many palm sized
miniatures representing Siva Lila. There is a beautiful bronze idol of Appar (Thirunavukkarasar)
with cymbals in his hand. Theertham associated with this
Temple is Sundara Theertham. Sukran Eri is situated on the back side
of the
temple.
