Shri Vashisteshwarar temple Karanthattangudu (Karanthai)

This Shiva temple is located at Karanthattangudu popularly known as Karanthai on the outskirts of Thanjavur city. This is about 10 kms from Thanjavur city. This is one of the Saptasthana shiva temples of Karanthattangudu. This is Thevaravaippu sthala as it finds a mention in the sacred hymns of Shaiva saints. 

Mulavar: Shri Vashishteshwarar, Shri Karuna swamy, Shri Karuvellayudha swami

Devi: Shri Periyanayaki, Shri Tripurasundari

Sacred Teertha: Vasishta Teertha

Sacred Vruksha: Shamee (Vanni in Tamil)

Kshetra purana:

1)The kshetra purana is associated with Chola king Karikalacholan. According to Kshetra puran the king got cured of his leprosy (kurungkushtam) after taking bath in the temple sacred teertha. 

2) Sage Vasishta worshipped Shri Shiva at this place

About temple:

The present temple is about 1500 years old. Addition and renovations were made by the Chola and Maratha kings. There are a lot of inscriptions which give an account of work done by various kings. This is an east facing temple but main entrance is from South side. The Rajagopuram is 2 tiered and temple has 2 parikramas. The temple has entrance on all 4 sides. 2 entrances to inner parikrama from east and the south. In a mandap constructed by Maratha king we come across dhwajasthambha and Balipeetha. Nandi mandap is near the south entrance. There is another gopuram at the rear entrance of the temple. In an adjoining mandap, we come across shrines of Shri Narthana Vinayaka, Shri Muruga, Shri Ganesha, Shri Shaneeshwarar, Shri Surya & Shri Bhairava. The sanctum is on the padmabhanda adhisthan (peeth). The sanctum is in the form of Shiva linga and Shiva linga is swayambhoo linga. The dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum. Shri Vinayaka and Shri Muruga shrines are at the entrance of the sanctum. There are a lot of sculptures on the external wall as well as Shikhar of main mandap. The sanctum sanctorum had the shape of a moat. Idols of Sambandhar, Sage Vasishta, a rishi patni, Shri Vinayaka, Shri Vageeshwarar, Shri Nataraja, Shri Gandhamurti, Shri Muruga, Shri Durga Devi, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Gangadhara, Shri Ardhanareeshwarar, Shri Lingothbhavar, Shri Kalarimurti, Shri Visarjanar, Shri Bramha, Shri Dakshinamurti with veena, Shri Kaalsamharmurti, Shri Bikshadanar, Shri Kalyanasundarar, Sage Agastya, Shri Vishnu & unique idol of Shri Ardhanareeshwarar in which Shri Parvati Devi occupies the right side of Shri Shiva instead of usual left. In the arthamandap, we come across Shri Tripurasundari in a separate shrine. In the outer parikrama, constructed during Marathi period we come across shrines of Shri AadiVinayaka, Shri Subramanya with his consorts, 7 Shiva lingas, Shri Jwarahareshwarar, Shri Gajalaxmi Devi, Shri Nataraja, Navagraha, Shri Bramha and Nagas. On each corner of outer parikrama, there are shrines of Shri Ganesha. On the western side of outer parikrama there is a shrine of Shri Baladandayudhapaani.

Prayer: People believe that by taking bath for 45 days in Vasishta Teertha and worshiping Shri Shiva at this temple will cure there skin ailments. 

Pooja: Daily 6 times poojas are performed

Pradosh pooja, Navaratri, Mahashivaratri, etc

Festivals:

Vaikashi (May-June): Bramhotsav for 12 days. On the 9th day there is a chariot procession. Saptasthana Shiva festival on 12th day.

Earlier there used to be a palanquin procession but has been stopped for last 25 years.

Address: Shri Vashishteshwarar temple, Karantai, Tanjore district 613002

Telephone:+91-9367147823

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs