Karkateshwarar Temple (E)

28 KM from Mayavaram, a temple exists in the midst of paddy fields in the northern bank of river Cauvery where a celestial turned Crab reportedly worshipped Lord Shiva and got the curse reversed. The temple is called Lord Karkateshwarar Temple situated in a hamlet called Thiruvisainallur near Thirunthuthevankudi village two kilometers away from Kumbakonam. The temple has two interesting legends. Thousands of years ago, in a forest, Sage Durvasa was performing puja to Lord Shiva. One of the Celestial from Deva Loga who happened to pass by mocked at the manner in which Sage Durvasa was performing Lord Shiva puja, without knowing who the sage was. Further mimicking like a Crab, the celestial disturbed his puja. Angered by the unwarranted act the sage cursed him to born a Crab on earth. When the Celestial realized who the sage was, he immediately sought pardon and asked for reversal of the curse but the sage would not take back the curse and said he...