Karkadeshwarar Temple — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

A swayambulinga existing in this place then g0t buried under the sand here. A chola king was ruling this place then. He had an attack of paralysis and no doctor was able to cure him. He fell at the feet of Lord Shiva finally. An aged couple came to his court, gave him the water dissolved with sacred ashes. The king got up completely cured and requested them to stay in the place as royal doctors which they declined. He offered them gifts of gold which too they denied to accept. When the king asked them what exactly they wished, brought him to this place and asked him to build a temple where the Shivalinga was then and simply disappeared then. The king understood that the visitors were but Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi and built the temple. People pray to Lord here for relief from disease-Pini in Tamil. Saint Gnanasambandar has mentioned Lord in his hymn as Pini Neekkum Shiva. Generally, we find only one Ambica shrine in Shiva temples. There are two Ambica shrines side by side. During the construction of the temple, Ambica in the place was lost. Hence, a new Ambica idol was made and installed and named Arumarundhu Nayaki meaning that She came as a medico. Within a few days, the original Ambica idol also was found and installed with the name Apoorva Nayaki. She is the main Ambica of the temple. This is the temple to seek relief from the Karkadaka-Cancer in English and Nandu in Tamil-zodiac sign comprising of three stars-Punarvasu, Poosa and Ayilya. The hole on the body of the Linga created by the Nandu and the scar caused by Indira is still visible. There is a shrine for Moon-Chandra at the entrance of the temple. Those having problems due to Moon aspects pray in this shrine.

Sage Durvasa was engaged in his Shiva Puja when a Gandharva (a community in the celestial world) mocked at his old age appearance. The sage did not mind it. Yet, the Gandharva continued the mischief and even called him by clapping hand moved before him as a cancer-Nandu. Angry sage cursed him born a Nandu. Realizing his folly, he sought the pardon of the sage. He was advised to perform Shiva Puja to gain his original form. He came to this place as a Nandu, bathed in the pushkarini, picked up flowers and worshipped the Lord. Meantime, Indira the king of Devas also came to this place to perform Shiva Puja as advised by his Guru to acquire a power to conquer the demons. He used to bathe in the pushkarini and did Shiva Puja with 1008 flowers. Every day he found one flower falling short. He saw the Nandu doing puja with one flower. He thought that he was the only one worthy of doing Shiva puja and a Nandu was notqualified for the puja and tried to kill it with is sword. Lord made a hole in His Lina body to help the creature to escape Indira’s attack. Yet, the Linga was injured by the sword cut. Lord appeared before Indira and said that one cannot succeed by arrogance but by humility alone. As Lord granted salvation to Karkadaga-Nandu, He is praised as Karkadakeswarar.

Lord Shiva in the temple is a Swayambumurthy. There are two Ambica shrines in the temple. The hole through which the Nandu entered in the Linga and the scarcaused by Indira are still visible...

Thiruvizhanallur Karkadeshwarar Temple is an ancient Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, believed to be over 1,000 years old.

The temple is linked to Lord Dhanvantri, known as the deity of medicine and healing. According to legend, King Suratha suffered from a severe skin disease and prayed fervently to Lord Shiva for a cure.Lord Shiva, as Karkadeshwarar, appeared in his dreams and advised him to apply medicinal oil and bathe in the temple’s sacred pond. The king followed this divine instruction and was miraculously cured. In gratitude, King Suratha built and renovated this temple, dedicating it to Karkadeshwarar.

The temple is named after a crab (Karkadam) that worshipped Lord Shiva and was relieved from a curse.Sage Durvasa, who was cursed to become a crab, prayed here and was liberated by Shiva. The temple is believed to be a powerful place to remove Rahu-Ketu doshas, helping devotees overcome past karma, negative planetary influences, and obstacles in life. Worshiping at this temple is believed to provide relief from chronic misfortunes, delays in marriage, financial struggles, and health issues related to Rahu and Ketu dosha effects. Performing special pujas and abhishekams here is recommended for those affected by planetary afflictions.

Oil application on the deity is a special and unique ritual. It is believed that applying sesame oil (gingelly oil) to Lord Karkadeshwarar and then using it on the body can cure chronic skin diseases, arthritis, and ailments related to nerves. Devotees follow this tradition to seek relief from various physical ailments and karmic burdens.

The temple has a holy theertham (pond) where devotees take a dip for spiritual and physical healing. Bathing in this sacred pond and applying oil afterward is believed to cleanse karmic sins and diseases, providing divine healing.

The temple features classic Dravidian architecture, with intricate sculptures and carvings. The Shivalinga has natural marks resembling a crab, reinforcing its mythological connection. Devotees visit the temple for relief from diseases, planetary doshas, and spiritual well-being. Many devotees perform milk abhishekam to the Shivalinga for health benefits.

Overall

The temple is over 1,000 years old, with Chola-period inscriptions detailing land donations and maintenance.

Tamil Nadu’s temple records confirm its historical and architectural importance.

The story of King Suratha’s healing by Lord Shiva is part of local traditions.

A crab worshipping Lord Shiva and Sage Durvasa’s curse are mythological stories associated with the temple.

The temple is believed to help with Rahu-Ketu dosha remedies, following Hindu astrological traditions.

Oil application on the deity is a long-standing practice believed to cure ailments like skin diseases and arthritis.

Pujas and abhishekams for planetary dosha relief are regularly performed by devotees.

Stories about the temple have been passed down through oral traditions by priests and worshippers.

While its inscriptions and rituals are historically recorded, the mythological aspects are faith-based.

Healing practices at the temple may have Ayurvedic or spiritual significance, but their effectiveness is...

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA Temple situated 8 kms from Kumbakonam and one km from Thiruvisanallur . Glorified in Thevaram by Saint Thirugnana Sambandar as Thirundu Devankudi .now called as Nandan Koil. Lord Shiva gave salvation to a crab who worshipped him. Temple surrounded by a moat.

Once upon a time a gandarva was cursed by Sage Dhurvasar to become a crab. Sage Dhurvasar felt pity on the Gandarva and told to do Pooja for Shiva in this place to get rid of the curse. The crab did Pooja with a flower to Lord Shiva every day. Lord Indra too came here to get the blessings of Lord Shiva. He found one flower alone was missing every day and found the reason for missing flower was taken by the crab. Indra became angry and went on to cut the crab with his sword. The crab pleaded to Lord Shiva and he made a small hole in the Lingam and the crab entered the hole and merged with lord Shiva. Indra's sword accidentally hit the Linga and Indra apologized to the lord. Lord Shiva gave apologise to Indra and blessed him. Karkadam means Crab. As lord Shiva was worshipped by crab he is called as Karkadeswarar . As Lord Indra tried to rectify his mistake here, this place gets the name Thirunthu Devan Kudi (“thirunthu” meaning correction, Devan is a reference to Lord Indra and “Kudi” meaning village in Tamil). The moolavar Lingam was buried under sand due to floods.During that time the Chola king who ruled the place was affected by paralysis. No one was able to cure his disease. A elderly couple came to his palace and offered the king ,Sacred ash ( Vibuthi) in water and made him to drink. Soon after taking the king was completely cured .He was ready to offer anything to the elderly couple. But the couple refused. The King followed the couple. When the couple reached this place they told the Chola king to built a new temple with the already existed Swayambu Lingam.After instructing the king the couple disappeared in to garba graha. The Chola king realized that they are none other than Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. The King later built this temple.

There are two shrines for Goddess Parvathy here – one for Sri Arumarunthu Nayaki and the other for Sri Apoorva Nayaki. Lord Shiva was also worshipped by Sage Agasthiyar and Lord Dhanvantri ( god of medicine ).Hence lot of devotees around the world come here to get rid of all kind of diseases.

Lord Natarajar idol is a Sudhai sirpam. Lord Chandran is seen in seated posture instead of standing posture in other temples. He is called Yoga Chandran .

This is also a famous parihara sthalam for those born in...