Kailasa Paramparagatha Sūrya Vaṃśa Chola Samrajya Sarvajnapeetham
Karanthai - headquarters of the Kailaasa Paramparagatha Sūrya Vaṃśa Sarvajnapeetha Chola Samrajyam ruling from Thanjavur
On April 15, 2014 His Divine Holiness Bhagavan Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam was coronated as the Supreme Pontiff of the Kailaasa Paramparagatha Sūrya Vaṃśa Sarvajnapeetha Chola Samrajyam (spiritual and religious kingdom) ruling from Thanjavur. The headquarters and Palace of the Peetham is in Karanthai. The temple here is dedicated to Paramasiva and exists from time immemorial, worshipped by generations of people. It is older than even the architectural marvel Brihadeeswarar temple built by the Chola King Raja Raja Cholan in 1010 CE. 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 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 is said to bestow the same benefit as the sacred Ganga on whosoever dips in its sacred waters. The main deity, the Shiva linga is believed to have been brought from Kashi which is why the same name.
Map showing the Vadavaaru river and the Kashi Vishwanathar temple in Karanthai.
Google earth view of the Karanthai location (circled black) in Thanjavur.
Field sketch of the Karanthai land location in the larger survey area
The ancient Kashi Vishwanathar temple in Karanthai
Deities at the Kashi Vishwanathar temple in Karanthai
Palswamy mutt
The ancient Aadheenams (monasteries) - Sri Palswamy Mutt and Sri Sankara Swami Mutt in Thanjavur, serve under the Sri Kashi Vishwanathar temple in Thanjavur owned and governed by His Divine Holiness.
- Jnanadesikarijivasamadhi.jpg
Above is the jīva samādhi (final resting place of mortal remains) of Sri Palaya Jnandesikar Swamigal.
Google earth view of the Karanthai location (circled black) in Thanjavur.
Sri Palaya Jnandesikar Swamigal is the founder as per recorded History of the Palswamy mutt. The Palswamy mutt is one of the ancient monastery complexes which is a heritage property of a sage by name Palswamy. He expressed extraordinary powers such as disappearing in one place and appearing in another. He healed and enriched the people living in the surrounding community.