Sri Karkodeswarar Temple Kamarasavalli, Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu

SRI KARKODESWARAR TEMPLE

Kamarasavalli, Ariyalur, Tamilnadu, India

God

The main deity of this temple is Karkodeswarar, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva facing East direction with a lingam form.

Goddess

Goddess Balambika Amman is consort of Lord Shiva, facing in South direction.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit this temple is Winter season. The best months to visit are September to March.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 26°C during night)Average - May (37°C during the day and 21°C during night)Lowest - October to February (30°C during day and 18°C during night)Monsoon season - August to September

Dress Code

For men the dress code is Shirt & Trouser, Dhoti or Pyjamas with upper cloth.
For women the preferred dress code is saree or half-saree with blouse or chudidhar with pyjama and upper cloth.
These rules are applicable for foreigners also. Shorts, mini-skirts, middies, sleeveless tops, low-waist jeans and short-length T-shirts are not allowed.
Pilgrims/visitors will not be allowed inside the temple if dress code is not followed.

Do's & Dont's

Do bathe and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do respect ancient customs and co-piligrims while at temple.

Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Papanasam Bus Station	13.2 KM	1800-419-4287
Papanasam Railway Station	8.7 KM	139
Tiruchirapalli International Airport	59 KM	07373774163

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Papanasam Railway Station	8.7 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Tiruchirapalli International Airport	59 KM	07373774163

Architecture

The temple faces in East direction and built in Chola style of architecture. The main temple has a Tri-tala vimana with round sikhara. Its adhishtana (basement) and Garbhagraha are of stone. The Garbhagriha is 4.9 meters square in area. The Ardha mandapa projects 7.3 meters forward, there is a later Mukha mandapa as well. On the external walls of the garbha griha are panels of miniature sculptures (friezes) of fine workmanship. The wall is punctured by Visnukanta pilasters on the vimana and Brahmakanta pilasters on the Ardha mandapa. The Bahdras have a sham niches topped by salas.

There were about 45 stone inscriptions found in the temple premises. According to one inscription, the temple was built by Sundara Chola also known as Raja Kesari Varma (957-974 A.D.) in the year 962 A.D. Raja Kesari Varma is the grand father of Raja Raja Chola who built the Thanjavur big temple. One Sriranga Thanda Naicker, the commander of the king Posala renovated this temple in the year 1260 A.D. According to history, besides the Cholas, Pandyas and Posala kings had also paid due attention for the maintenance of the temple. Sundara Chola, Uthama Chola, Raja Rajan-I, Rajendran-I, Kulothungan-I, II and III, Vikrama Chola and Kadavarman directly supervised the administration of this Kamarasavalli temple, according to epigraphic findings. The superstructure of brick and mortar are used to built this temple.

Religious Significance

Kama Dhahanam (burning of Kama or Manmatha by Shiva). When Kama’s wife Rathi pleaded with the lord to save her Mangalya Bhagya, she was advised to pray in this temple. She did intense penance and the lord had granted her wishes with the condition that Manmathan would come back alive but would be visible only to her eyes. Hence this place came to be called Rathivarapuram or Kamarathi valli. The presence of another village adjoining this place, called Azhagiyamanavalam (Azhagiya-Handsome, Manavalan-Husband, referring to Manmathan here), further confirms this story. A beautiful idol of Rathi is also kept in this temple. Every year, the Manmathan festival is celebrated in this temple. People bring a castor plant, cut it into two and then plant. On the 8th day, the castor plant blossoms similar to the reincarnation of Manmathan. As per Sthala puranam, this temple and the lord come in the post Mahabharatha period when Parikshit was ruling. Once he was cursed by a meditating sage that he would die of snake bite in seven days. He had decided to spend his last days in listening to the Bhagavatha puranam of Lord Krishna and Sukha Rishi narrated all the leelas of the lord. As per the curse, one of the Astamanagas (eight great snakes), Karkodagan caused the death of the king. His son Janamejayan wanted to take revenge and conducted Sarpa Satra (or Sarpa Yagna) to kill all the snakes. Karkodagan sought the help of Vishnu who advised him to pray to Soundareswarar (Shiva) at Thirunallur to save him. Accordingly, Karkodagan did penance here and the lord granted him the pardon. As he was worshipped by the snake, the lord came to be called Karkodageswarar or Karkodeswarar.

History

The temple was built in 10th century A.D. by Sundara Chola and contributed by Raja Rajan-I, Rajendran-I, Kulothungan-I, II and III.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	05:00 AM - 12:00 PM	04:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757