Basic information about the temple
| Moolavar: | Sarguneswarar | Ambal / Thayar: | SarvAnga Sundari |
| Deity: | Siva | Historical name: | TirukkaruvilikkoTTiTTai |
| Vriksham: | Vilvam | Teertham: | Yama Teertham |
| Agamam: | Age (years): | ||
| Timing: | 7 to 12 & 4.30 to 8 | Parikaram: | |
| Temple group: | Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Then Karai) | – | |
| Sung by: | , Appar | Temple set: | |
| Navagraham: | Nakshatram: | ||
| City / town: | Karuveli | District: | Tiruvarur |
| Maps from (click): | Current location | Kumbakonam (19 km) | Mayiladuthurai (25 km) |
| Tiruvarur (26 km) | Nagapattinam (50 km) |
Location
Sthala puranam and temple information
Dakshayani – a form of Parvati – was born as Daksha’s daughter. At a yagam conducted by him, Daksha insulted Siva, as a result of which Dakshayani immolated herself in the sacrificial fire. For having displeased Siva by not heeding His advice to stay away from the yagam, the Goddess – now born as Parvati, the daughter of Himavan – performed penance here to expiate herself of the sin of attending the yagam. Pleased with this, Siva blessed Her that She would not be born again in human form.
After mourning the loss of Dakshayani, Siva sat in deep meditation. Later, when Parvati came here, She danced for Siva, and opened his eyes to the world. He then joined Her, and performed a specific type of dance known as Kodukotti.
Because Parvati appeared here in her beautiful and pleasing form, She is called Sarvanga Sundari. Despite all the attendant faults of devotees (whether caused by themselves or not; and in the case of Dakshayani, her birth to Daksha), Siva sees the best in them, and so He is called Sarguneswarar. Karuveli itself used to be called Karuvili Kothittai, and over time, as come to be known as Karuveli.
The word “Karuveli” is interpreted as Karu-Veli, meaning a fence around the womb. Or spiritually, that once a devotee worships here, there is no rebirth for them. However, this seems to be a later interpolation.
Yama was punished by Siva at Tirukadaiyur, for having the temerity to attempt to take away His devotee, Markandeya. So Yama offered worship to Siva at various places, and this is one of them. He also created a Teertham, called the Yama Teertham, here.
Since Appar has sung here, the temple would have been in existence in the 7th century. The structural temple dates back to the Chola period, and inscriptions here refer to Rajadhiraja II as well as Rajendra Chola. These inscriptions also refer to the place as Uyyakkondan Valanattu Vennattu Kulothunga Chola Nallurakiya Karuvili Kothittai. The temple was renovated in 2017 when the Kumbhabhishekam was performed, and is maintained very well.
Interestingly, the temple does not have a dhwajasthambam, which is unusual. It also has only one prakaram. Dakshinamurti is depicted holding a snake in one hand. The Amman shrine is in a separate enclosure on the northern side of the main temple premises, and in this enclosure there are separate shrines for Durga as Simha Vahini, and for Anjaneyar. The temple also features some exceptionally refined architecture, including miniatures, on pillars.
Other information for your visit
There are eight temples in the region, which were worshipped by the Ashta Digpalakas (guardians of the eight directions). This temple is one of them, and is dedicated to Yama, the guardian of the south. This is also one of the Navagraham temples (for Sevvaai) that are centred around Konerirajapuram.
Contact
Phone: 94429 32942
Gallery
TN Temples Project 