Sri Karkadeswarar Temple is an ancient Shiva Temple located at Tirundudevankudi in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. During ancient times, this temple was called as Karkteeswaram. In this temple, Lord Shiva has granted salvation to a crab.
The main deity is Lord Shiva, and he is called as Lord Karkadeswarar, and his consort Ma Parvati is known as Apoorvanayaki in this temple. Ancient Nayanmar Saints have sung songs in praise of Lord Shiva at this temple.
As per ancient legend, once the angry sage Durvasa cursed a gandharva to take the birth of a crab in the world, since the gandharva pushed down the legs of the great sage Durvasa while he was taking bath in a River. The gandharva had realised his mistake, and sought apology to the great sage. Rishi Durvasa felt pity on him, and he promised him, that he would take his original form in his next birth, if he sincerely meditates on Lord Shiva in his crab form itself. After worshipping Lord Shiva at the present place of Sri Karkadeswarar Temple for a long time, due to the grace of Lord Shiva, the crab regained its original form, worshipped Lord Shiva by chanting his glories, and went to the Gandharva Loka.
Sri Karkadeswarar Temple is a must to visit temple, and it is situated just 4 kilometres far away from my home. I am also planning to visit this marvellous temple of Lord Shiva in the near future.
For every action of the god, there would be a valid reason behind it, and even the celestials like Devas and Gandharvas cannot escape from their misfortunes. Curses are common to the celestials, and due to the curse, the Dwarapalakas have been born as demons in their three consecutive births, Sangukarna, the divine attendant of Lord Brahma was born as Prahalada, Sudarsana Chakra was born as Karkaviryarjuna and even Ma Shakti Devi has taken birth in the form of Ma Sati and Ma Parvati.
“OM SRI KARKADESWARAYA NAMAHA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR