This Shiva temple is situated at Thirukarukkudi about 7 kms from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam-Mannarkudi route. It is situated at a distance of about 5 kms from Nachiyar Kovil, 42 kms from Tanjavur. Now this place is known as Marudhanallur or Marudhanadnallur. This is one of the Padal Pethra Sthalam revered by Shaiva Saint Sambandhar. Just like all the other Padal Pethra Sthalam this temple must have existed before 6th or 7th century. The present stone structure was constructed by the Chola kings. Extra extensions were done by Nayaks of Thanjavur. There are stone inscriptions in the temple that give account of the work done by them.
Moolavar: Shri Bramhapureeshwarar, Shri Karakkudinathar, Shri Saragunalingeshwarar
Devi: Shri Kalyan Nayaki, Shri Advait Nayaki, Shri Sarvalankar Nayaki
Sacred Theertha: Kari Theertha, Yama Theertha
Sacred Vruksha: Bilva tree
Puranik Name: Thirukarakkudi
Present Name: Marudhanallur / Marudhanadnallur
Kshetra Purana:
1. According to the Purana, Lord Shriram on his way to Sri Lanka, stayed at this place. He wanted to perform Shiva pooja. Hence he sent Hanuman to fetch Shiva Linga from Kashi. Lord Hanuman got delayed on the way from Kashi, so Lord Shriram prepared Shiva Linga with sand. He installed it here and completed his worship before Hanuman arrived. Since Shiva Linga is made of sand, it is known as Prithvi Linga. The Shiva Linga brought by Lord Hanuman was installed and it is at present in the parikrama. It is praised as Hanumantha Linga.
2. According to the sthala purana, Lord Brahma worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. Hence it is praised as Bramhapureeshwarar.
3. According to the Kshetra purana, there was a trader named Dhananjayan. He was afflicted with leprosy due to an illicit relationship with a woman (according to some with his step mother). He came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva for relief. He was absolved of the sin by Lord Shiva and was cured of the disease.
4. The Pandya king Saragunan and his minister worshiped Lord Shiva at this temple. Hence Lord Shiva is praised as Saraguna-nathar or Saragunalingeshwarar.
Those who worshiped at this place: Lord Brahma, Lord Shriram, Lord Hanumanta, King Saraguna and his minister and trader named Dhananjay.
Salient Features:
1. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s shrine indicate wedding posture.
2. Lord Dakshinamoorti is accompanied by 2 sages instead of 4 and he is carrying Veena.
3. In Lord Subramanya’s shrine, the peacock is looking down.
4. Behind the sanctum wall Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu are worshiping Lord Lingothbhavar.
5. Shiva Linga is Swayambhoo Linga made of sand.
6. On Shiva Linga there are marks of hand, believed to have been made by Lord Shriram.
7. The Linga worshiped by Lord Hanuman is praised as Hanumantha Linga and Nandi is facing the shrine of Hanumantha Linga.
About the temple:
This is an east facing temple. There is no Rajagopuram but there is an arch at the entrance with sculpture of Lord Ardhnarishwarar with Nandi and Shivaganas. There is no dhwajastambha. There is only one parikrama. Nandi and Balipeeth face the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandap and Mahamandap. This Sanctum has the shape of the Linga. The Shiva Linga is a Swayambhoo Linga and is made of sand. It is very small and is on a stone Avudayar (base). Abhishek is done only after covering the Shiva Linga with a kavach. At the entrance of the Mahamandap, we come across the shrines of Lord Vinayaka and Lord Baal Muruga. At the entrance of the Sanctum, there are Dwarapalakas.
Koshtha moorti: Lord Nardana Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamoorti with a veena, Lord Brahma, Lord Lingothbhavar with Bhoota Gana on either side and Goddess Durga. Besides these we also find Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu worshiping Lord Lingothbhavar. They are on either side of the idol. By the side of Lord Veena Dakshinamoorti, we have 2 Sanakadi Munis. Lord Chandikeshwarar’s shrine is in its usual position.
Goddess Ambika is in a separate east facing shrine to the right side of Sanctum. There is an idol of Dhananjay worshiping Goddess Ambika in front of Ambika’s shrine. The statue of Chola king, Kulothungan III is in front of Goddess Ambika’s shrine.
Other shrines: In a small shrine we come across Hanumantha Linga. Idol of Pandya King Sarguna and his ministers, Shrine of Lord Subramanya with his consorts and a peacock looking toward the earth. Shrines of Lord Shakti Vinayaka, Naalvar, Goddess Gajalaxmi, Lord Surya, Lord Chandra, Lord Baal Subramanya, Navagrahas, Lord Baal Shanishwar, Lord Valampuri Vinayaka (trunk turned towards right side), Shiva Linga with Goddess Ambika and Lord Brahma are found in the parikrama.
Prayers:
1. Those suffering from leprosy worship Lord Shiva with extreme faith of getting cured.
2. Devotees worship at this place for removal of marriage obstacles and for getting absolved of their sins.
3. Devotees worship Lord Subramanya for relief from vastu related problems.
Poojas: Regular daily poojas, Pradosh pooja, fortnightly and weekly poojas.
Important festivals:
Chitrai (Apr-May): Ten days of Bramhostsav
Aani (June-July): Thirumanjanam
Aadi (July-August): Aadi Pooram (Pooja on Poorva Phalguni nakshatra day)
Aavani (August-Sept): Shri Ganesh Chaturthi
Purattassi (Sept-Oct): Navratri
Aipassi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek and Skandha shasti
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigai Deepam
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Thiruvathirai
Maasi (Feb-Mar): Shivaratri
On every Monday in the month of Karthigai, abhishek is performed with conch.
Timings: 7 am to 9 am and 5.30 pm to 7 pm
Address:
Shri Bramhapureeshwarar Temple,
At post Marudhanallur (Thirukarukkudi),
Taluka Kumbhakonam,
Tamil Nadu 612402
Priest: Shridhar Gurukkal - +91-9943523852
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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