Sri Karkadeswarar Temple - Tirundudevankudi

A swayambulinga that lived here died and was buried in the sand. At that time, this place was ruled by a chola king. His body went numb, and no doctor could help him get better. He finally fell at Lord Shiva's feet. An old couple came to his court and gave him the water that had holy ashes mixed in it. When the king woke up, he was totally better and asked them to stay and work as royal doctors, but they turned him down.

He also gave them gold gifts, but they refused to accept them. When the king asked them what they wanted, they brought him to this spot and told him to build a temple where the Shivalinga was. Then they disappeared. The king knew that the guests were really Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi, so he built the temple. People pray to the Lord here to get better from sickness (Pini in Tamil). In his song, Saint Gnanasambandar called the Lord Pini Neekkum Shiva. In most Shiva temples, there is only one Ambica shrine. Two Ambica shrines are next to each other. Ambica was lost in the area while the temple was being built.

So, a new Ambica idol was made and put up. It was called Arumarundhu Nayaki, which means "She came as a doctor." Within a few days, the first Ambica figure was also found and put in place with the name Apoorva Nayaki. There is no one else like her in the temple. This is the temple where people with the Karkadaka (English: Cancer) or Nandu in Tamil, The Karkadaka sign is made up of three stars: Punarvasu, Poosa, and Ayilya.

You can still see the hole the Nandu made in the Linga's body and the scar Indira left behind. At the front of the building, there is a shrine for Moon-Chandra. People who are having trouble because of the Moon should pray at this shrine.