View source for Kailasa Paramparagatha Sūrya Vaṃśa Sarvajnapeetha Chola Samrajyam (Karanthai)

==History==

On June 28, 2017 The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism Jagatguru Mahasannidhanam His Divine Holiness  Bhagavan Nithyananda Paramashivam was coronated as the Supreme Pontiff of the Kailasa Paramparagatha Sūrya Vaṃśa sarvajnapeetha Chola Samrajyam  (spiritual and religious kingdom) ruling from  sacred Karanthai in Thanjavur, South India. 

Thanjavur is an important hub in SOuth India for South Indian religion, art, architecture, temples, sculptures and agriculture. It is the land of the great Brihadeeshwarar temple dedicated to Paramashiva - the primordial Hindu Cosmic Principle - built by the Chola King Raja RAja Cholan in the period 1003 to 1010 AD.  

The temple here in KAranthai is dedicated to Paramasiva and exists from time immemorial, worshipped by generations of people. It is older than even the architectural marvel Brihadeeshwarar temple. It is called the “Kashi Vishwanathar temple” having the same presiding deities of Kasi Vishwanathar and His Divine Consort Kasi Visalakshi as in the world-renowned Kashi Vishwanathar temple in Varanasi (Kashi), North India. The Shiva linga was brought here by King Raja Raja Cholan when he returned from a visit to North India where Kashi is located. The Shiva linga was installed here by his *** Karikala Cholan.  

The temple is worshipped as a “mukti sthal” meaning “sacred place of liberation” just like how Kashi is worshipped from yore. The Shiva linga (deity form of Paramasiva), Goddess Visalakshi and other deities are seen here. The other deities are: Ganesha, Muruga and His Consorts Valli and Deivanai, Mahalakshmi, Dakshinamurti, Chandikeshwara, Surya, Bhairava, Shiva, Nagar, Banam (Shiva linga linga), Nandi, Peetham. 

The temple is located near the river Vadavaaru, a branch of the sacred Kaveri. It bestows the same benefit as the sacred river Ganga on whosoever dips in its sacred waters.  <gallery mode="packed" heights="400px">
File:Map.jpeg|alt=see caption|Map showing the Vadavaaru river and the Kashi Vishwanathar temple in Karanthai.
File:Map1.jpg|alt=see caption|Google earth view of the Karanthai location (circled black) in Thanjavur.
File:Karanthiland.jpg|alt=see caption|Field sketch of the Karanthai land location in the larger survey area	
File:Kashi.jpg|alt=see caption|The ancient Kashi Vishwanathar temple in Karanthai	
File:Kashideity.jpg|alt=see caption
File:Kashideities.jpg|alt=see caption|Deities at the Kashi Vishwanathar temple in Karanthai	
</gallery>