Agastheeswarar Temple, Karuvalarcheri

Agastheeswarar Temple stands at Karuvalarcheri in Thanjavur district, about 2 km from Marudanallur on the Kumbakonam-Valangaiman-Mannargudi road. Shiva is worshipped here as a lingam called Agastheeswarar, and his consort is Akilandesvari.

The goddess is the focus of the temple. She is considered self-formed, so no abhisheka is performed on her, something said to be rarely seen anywhere. Her full form can be seen only on Maha Shivaratri and during the nine nights of Navaratri; on other days part of the image is screened, and in daily worship only her face is visible. She is called Karu Valarkkum Nayaki, and married women without children come to pray to her in the belief that she will bless them with a child.