Karkadeswarar Temple,
Thirundudevankudi – The Temple
This temple is facing towards east with an unfinished Rajagopuram (Mottai Gopuram). There is stucco image of Lord Shiva with his consort Parvathy on top of the unfinished Rajagopuram. The Temple has two prakarams. This temple covers an area of over 72,000 square feet surrounded by a moat called Tirumaruvum Poigai in the midst of green fields. This ancient brick and mortar temple was converted to a stone temple during the rule of Kulottunga I (1075-1120).
The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala and Artha Mandapam. Ashtamangala bas relief can be found at the top of the Artha Mandapam. Stucco Dwarabalakas can be found at the entrance of sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Karkadeswarar / Arumarunthu Devar / Devadevesar. He is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy.
The hole on the body of the Linga created by the Nandu (Crab) and the scar caused by Indira is still visible. The image of a golden crab as well as the hole created by it can be seen on the Shivalingam during the ablution rituals (abhishekam). Narthana Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, Brahma, Lingothbhavar and Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls.
Chandikeswarar can be seen in his usual location. Dakshinamurthy is without Muyalagan under his feet but with book on his left hand. Vimana over the sanctum is single tiered and made of stone. The Kalasha over the sanctum is normally made of Pancha Loha but here it is carved of stone. The festival images of this temple have been kept in the Tiruvisalur temple, nearby for safe keeping.
Generally, One Mother Parvathy shrine is found in Shiva temples. But here there are two Mother Parvathy Shrines namely Arumarunthu Nayaki and Apoorva Nayaki. During renovation of this temple, the reigning King could not find the original idol of the goddess. He installed a new Mother Parvathy idol and named it as Arumarunthu Nayaki (Goddess of rare medicine). However, the old goddess idol was found within a month. The King installed the old idol along with the new idol and named as Apoorva Nayaki.
There is a shrine for Moon (Chandran) at the entrance of the temple. He is in yoga posture and popularly called as Yoga Chandran. Normally, Chandran is depicted in standing posture but here he is seen in sitting posture. Those having problems due to Moon aspects pray in this shrine. Hence, this temple is considered as Chandra Dosha Parihara Sthalam.
There is a south facing shrine housing Lord Nataraja along with his consort Shivagami in the northern side of the prakaram. Lord Nataraja’s idol here is made of clay (Stucco image). Sri Vinayaka of the temple is worshipped as Karkadaka Vinayaka. There is a shrine for Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai in the prakara. There is no shrine for the Navagrahas (the nine planets) in the prakaram.
There are shrines for Gajalakshmi, Dhanvandhri, Agasthya, Kaala Bairavar, Suryan and Naalvar in the temple premises. There is a beautiful relief depicting Sage Agasthya handing over the locally grown herbs with exceptional medicinal properties to Dhanvatri, the god of Ayurveda. A King and his Queen are witnessing the happening while the celestial gods from the heaven are also watching it.
The legend of a crab offering worship to Shiva is depicted in a panel on a stone pillar. The Thandava (cosmic dance) of Siva is breathtakingly depicted on northern wall of the temple. Theertham associated with this Temple are Pankaja Theertham, Navabashana Theertham and River Cauvery. Sthala Vriksham is Nangai Tree.
