the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

Abodes of Shiva

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). The Sthala Puranam also states that Yama, the god of death, visited this place, created a pond and worshiped the lord in order to seek relief from his sins. It is also believed that Lord Shiva performed his unique cosmic dance here called Kodukotti. Hence this place gets the name Kottitai. According to legend, 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. It is believed that 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.

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 63rd Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). This east facing temple has a beautiful arch at the entrance and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers. This temple has a single corridor and it does not have a flag post Dwajasthambam. 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. There are certain stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of Chola king Rajathirajan-II and Rajendra Chola. This temple was built and renovated by the Chola kings. In the stone inscriptions, this temple is referred to as Uyyakkondan Valanattu Vennattu Kulothunga Chola Nallurakiya Karuvili Kottitai. This temple is presently managed by Sri Sarguneswara Swami Temple Management Committee. This temple is also under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). 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. Around this temple, 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.

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are – Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug), Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) and Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar). Pradosham is also observed regularly.