69. SRI BRAHMAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRU KARUKKUDI (MARUDHANTHA NALLUR)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	186th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	69th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar

HISTORY:

This is a relatively small temple with many gardens inside its campus. The historical name of this place is Karukkudi but now it is known as Marudhanthanallur (or Marudhanallur). In all the stanzas of his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar refers to this place as Karukkudi.

Lord Ram:

On his way to Sri Lanka, Lord Ram stayed here for a short while. He wanted to perform his Shiva pooja here and sent Hanuman to bring a Shivalingam from Kasi. However, Hanuman got delayed in reaching this place with the Shivalingam.

In the meantime, Lord Ram himself made a small Shivalingam out of sand (called “Prithvi lingam”) and competed his prayers. Lord Ram’s hand impressions can still be seen on this lingam. The base of the lingam is made of stone. No abhishekam is performed to this lingam directly and it is always covered with a metal sheet.

Sri Hanumantha lingam:

The lingam brought by Hanuman is installed in the corridor and is praised as “Sri Hanumantha lingam”.

Dananjayan:

Dananjayan was afflicted by leprosy due to his illicit relationship with a woman. He visited this temple and prayed to Lord Shiva for relief. It is believed that the lord absolved of his sins and cured him.

Lord Ram and Lord Brahma:

Lord Ram and Lord Brahma have worshiped the lord here. Since King Sarguna Pandiyan is also believed to have worshiped this lord, Lord Shiva is also praised here as “Sri Sargunalingeswarar”.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        In this temple, the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy are facing the east direction. Goddess Parvathy’s shrine is on the right side of Lord Shiva’s shrine. This symbolises their wedding posture.

·        Lord Dakshinamurthy here is praised as “Sri Veena Dakshinamurthy”. In this shrine, only two Sanakathi sages can be seen along with the lord. Usually four sages accompany the lord.

·        In this temple, Lord Murugan’s mount (peacock) is looking towards the earth. Devotees worship this lord to seek help for Vasthu related doshas.

·        Behind the sanctum sanctorum, on either sides of Lord Lingothbavar, there are idols of Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma in a worshipping posture. Devotees can enjoy the darshan of all the three lords (Trimurthys) – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This is considered to be very auspicious.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Brahmapureeswarar, Sri Karukkudi Nathar, Sri Sargunalingeswarar
Ambal	Sri Kalyana Nayagi, Sri Advaitha Nayagi, Sri Sarvalankara Ambikai
Theertham	Kari tank / Yama Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vilva tree

BELIEF:

Devotees worship the lord here to seek absolution for all the sins that they might have accrued.

Devotees believe that by worshiping the lord here, obstacles from their marriage proposals will be removed.

This temple is also Parihara sthalam for “Vasthu” related issues.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	Vaikasi Visakam
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Sankabishekam festival is celebrated on all Mondays (Somavaram)
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thiru Karthikai
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Thiru Karukkudi is situated at a distance of about 7 kms south-east of Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to Mannarkudi route. Take the diversion road after Sakkottai and travel for about one kilometre to reach this temple.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple,
Thiru Karukkudi (Marudhantha Nallur) PO,
Kumbakonam,
Tanjore,
Tamil Nadu- 612 402.

LOCATION: