Visited on: 30th September, 2017 and 31st March, 2018.
Location
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.
Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are – Kalayanallur, Sivapuram, Kudavasal, Naraiyur Siddheecharam, Thirucherai, Arisirkarai Puthur, Penu Perunthurai, Thalaiyalangaadu, Peruvelur, Karaveeram, Nalur Mayanam, Kaduvaikarai Puthur (Andankoil) and Thiru Kollamputhur.
General information
- Moolavar
- Sri Brahmapureeswarar, Sri Karukkudi Nathar, Sri Sargunalingeswarar
- Ambal
- Sri Kalyana Nayagi, Sri Advaitha Nayagi, Sri Sarvalankara Ambikai
- Theertham (Holy water)
- Kari tank / Yama Theertham
- Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
- Vilva tree
- Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
- Saint Thirugnanasambanthar - 1
- This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 69th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
- Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
- This east facing temple has a single corridor and there is no main tower (Rajagopuram). However, it has a beautiful arch at the entrance with sculptures of Sri Ardhanareeswarar and his bull mount.
- There is no flag post (dwajasthambam) here.
- The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 11.06.2011 and prior to that on 06.07.2003.
History of the temple
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.
There are some stone inscriptions here. However, they are in a damaged condition and haven’t been arranged properly. The name of “Thirubuvana Chakravarthy” Chola King Kulothungan-III is mentioned in one of these inscriptions.
This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).


Legend
According to legend, 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 completed 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.
The lingam brought by Hanuman is installed in the corridor and is praised as “Sri Hanumantha lingam”.
Another legend associated with this temple is that of a trader named 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 him of his sins and cured him.
It is believed that 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”.
Deities in the temple
Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Shakthi Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Hanumantha Lingam, Valampuri Vinayakar, Gajlakshmi, Nalvar, Shivalingam with Ambal, Navagraham, Suryan, Chandran and Bala Saneeswarar can be seen in the corridors.
At the entrance of the sanctum, on either side, shrines of Dwara Vinayakar and Bala Murugan can be seen.
There is also an idol of Pandiya king Sargunan and his minister.
In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Narthana Vinayakar (with “Boothaganas” on either side), Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar (with Lord Mahavishnu and Lord Brahma on either side), Brahma, Durgai and Chandikeswarar can be seen.
The statue of Chola King Kulothungan-III can be seen in front of Goddess Parvathy’s shrine.




















Salient features
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 side 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.
Greatness of this temple
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.
Important festivals
Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are –
Vaikasi Visakam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June),
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),
Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan) and
Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).
Sankabishekam festival is celebrated on all Mondays (Somavaram) in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec).
Pradosham is also observed regularly.
Temple timings
From 07.30 AM to 09.00 AM and from 05.30 PM to 07.00 PM.
Temple address
Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple,
Thiru Karukkudi (Marudhantha Nallur) PO,
Kumbakonam Taluk,
Tanjore District,
Tamil Nadu- 612 402.
The temple priest, Sri Sridhar Gurukkal can be contacted at +91 -99435 23852.









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