What is the sthala katha — the legend — of Kannayariamudayar Temple, Thirukkarayil?

Early medieval · Hindu · India

Kannayariamudayar Temple, Thirukkarayil

காறைவாசல் கண்ணாயிரமுடையார் கோயில்

Thirukkarayil, Tamil Nadu · 10.6687°, 79.6525°

Shiva as Kannayiranathar, with Parvati as KailasanayakiCholaDravidianPaadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

800 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

9th c. (Chola); Pandya additions

Chola

History & significance

A medieval Chola-period Shiva temple of the Tiruvarur delta country, counted among the Paadal Petra Sthalams hymned in the Tevaram. Devotees seek the deity here for relief from planetary afflictions.

Sthala katha — the legend

Brahma is said to have raised a sand linga here to be freed of the curse he earned by falsely claiming to have found the crown of Shiva's cosmic flame.

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