63. SRI SARGUNESWARAR TEMPLE AT KARUVILI KOTTITAI (KARUVELI)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	180th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	63rd Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

A king by the name of Sargunan worshiped the lord here. Hence, the lord is also praised as “Sri Sarguna Natheswarar”. The king, who was a staunch Shiva devotee, attained salvation here and was blessed with a place in the lord’s abode. He was also freed from the cycle of death and re-birth. Hence this place gets the name “Karuvili” (“Karu” refers to foetus or birth and “illai” means no in Tamil). The lord is also praised as “Sri Sarguna Nathar” because it is believed that devotees can attract good karma by worshiping this lord here.

Lord Shiva performed his unique cosmic dance here called “Kodukotti”. Hence this place gets the name Kottitai.

This ancient temple is situated on the northern banks of the river Arisilaru, a tributary of the river Cauvery. This village’s name is Karuvili and the temple is known as Kottitai. However, now this place is called Karuveli.

 The historical names of this place are Karuvili Kottitai and Sarguneswarapuram. In the stone inscriptions, this temple is referred to as “Uyyakkondan Valanattu Vennattu Kulothunga Chola Nallurakiya Karuvili Kottitai”. 

Sri Sarvanga Sundari:

As per Sthala Puranam, after Dakshan’s yagna, Goddess Parvathy visited this place and had performed penance here in order to re-unite with her husband. To attract Lord Shiva’s attention, it is believed that she presented herself in a pleasing and beautiful form. Hence, she is praised here as “Sri Sarvanga Sundari” (“sundari” means beautiful).

Lord Yama:

Yama, the god of death, visited this place, created a pond and worshiped the lord in order to seek relief from his sins.

Eight Shiva temples:

There are eight other Shiva temples which are believed to have been worshiped by “Ashta Dik Balakars”. Karuvili is one of them. Worshiping these lords is considered to be very auspicious. These eight temples are as follows –

Indra - Nagambadi,

Agni – Vanniyur,

Yama – Karuvili,

Niruthi – Vayalur,

Varunan – Sivanakaram,

Vayu – Akalangan,

Kubera – S.Pudur, and

Esanan – Nallavur. 

People who worshipped here:

Lord Indra, Yama, the Devas and the ‘Rudhra Ganams’ have worshiped the lord here. In his hymn, Saint Thirunavukkarasar refers to this place as Karuvili Kottitai. He also mentions that the Rudhra Ganams have worshiped the lord here.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This east facing temple has its main tower (Rajagopuram) 3-tiers.

·        Lord Dakshinamaaurthy here is holding a snake in one of his hands, which is unique.

·        This temple is considered to be significant for its three important attributes – Moorthy, Sthalam and Theertham - glory of Lord, sacredness of the land and the auspicious temple tank.

·        In this temple, the shrines of both 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 is considered to symbolise their wedding posture.

·        There is a beautiful relief on the wall in the corridor depicting an elephant worshiping Lord Shiva. Vinayakar is also seen in that relief.

·        This temple’s Yama Theertham is very well maintained and beautifully decorated

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Sarguna Natheswarar
Ambal	Sri Sarvanga Sundari
Theertham	Yama Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Vilvam tree

BELIEF:

It is believed that worshiping the lord here would help devotees get salvation and will help them break away from the repetitive cycle of birth and re-birth.

It is also believed that those seeking wedding boon can pray to the lord here.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Aadi	July-Aug	Aadi Pooram
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thiru Karthikai
Thai	Jan-Feb	Makara Sankranthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Karuveli is located at a distance of about 22 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam to Poonthottam route (Via Koonthalur). It is about one kilometre away from Koonthalur; 10 kms from Poonthottam and 11 kms from Nachiyar koil.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Sarguneswarar Temple,
Karuvili Kottitai (Karuveli),
Poonthottam Via,
Kudavasal,
Thiruvarur,
Tamil Nadu – 609 501.

LOCATION: