Kandeeswarar Temple

Thirukandiyur
Thirukandiyur Location in Tamil Nadu
Name
Proper name	Brahma Sira Kandeeswarar Temple
Geography
Coordinates	10°51′36″N 79°6′30″E / 10.86000°N 79.10833°ECoordinates: 10°51′36″N 79°6′30″E / 10.86000°N 79.10833°E
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Tanjore
Locale	Kandiyur
Culture
Primary deity	Brahma Sira Kandeeswarar (Shiva)
Architecture
Architectural styles	Dravidian architecture

Brahma Sira Kandeeswarar Temple in Thirukkandiyur or Tirukkandiyur, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located near Tiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is incarnated by the hymns of Tirugnana Sambandar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Legend

As per Hindu legend, Brahma, the Hindu god of creation and Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction, had originally five heads. Parvathi, the wife of Shiva once got confused and performed patha pooja (ablution of feet, considered an act of respect) to Brahma instead of Shiva. Shiva got enraged and cut off one of the heads of Brahma. The cut head got stuck in his hand of Shiva on account of a curse of Brahma. To get rid off the sin, Shiva worshipped Vishnu at Thirukarambanur as Bhikshadana, where a part of his sin was relieved. He got his curse fully relieved after visiting Vishnu at Thirukandiyur and taking a holy dip in the temple tank, Kamala Pushkarani. Since Vishnu relieved (vimochana) the sin (saabha) of Shiva (also called Hara), the temple is called Hara Saabha Vimochana Temple. After the incident, the tank came to be known as Kapala Theertham (kapala indicates skull). Shiva was pleased and he built the Hara Sabha Vimochana temple and also built a temple for himself near it.

As per another legend, Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu requested Shiva to cut off one of the heads of Brahma as she felt that Vishnu would ignore her and show all his affection towards Brahma. Sage Bhrigu, King Mahabali and Chandra (Moon) all got their sins relieved worshipping Vishnu here in the temple. Sage Bhrigu, once wanted to test the superior of Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva. He kicked Vishnu in his chest in anger and got relieved of the sin here. Chandra, who sinned by seducing the preceptor's wife, got partially relieved of it by worshipping Hara Saabha Vimochana Perumal.^[1]

The temple

The temple is located 21 km away from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam- Tiruvaiyaru- Tanjore road. The temple is 2 km away from Tiruvaiyaru. The best mode is taking town buses from Kumbakonam or Tanjore.

Religious significance

It is the fifth of the seven sapthastanas of Aiyarappar temple at Tiruvaiyaru. It is noted for the sculptures in Chola style. The temple is revered by the hymns of 7th century Tamil saint poets, Appar and Campantar^[2]

The sapthasthanam festival is conducted at Tiruvaiyaru during April^[3] every year. Hundreds of people witness the convergence of seven glass palanquins carrying principal deities of respective temples from seven places at Tiruvaiyaru. The palanquins are paraded near the car stand, the crowd witnessed the Poochorithal(flower festival) in which a doll offers flowers to the principal deities in the palanquins. After the Poochorithal, the palanquins left for their respective places.^[4] The seven temples are

Temple	Place	District
Aiyarappar temple	Thiruvaiyaru	Thanjavur
Apathsahayar Temple	Tirupazhanam	Thanjavur
Odhanavaneswarar Temple	Tiruchotruthurai	Thanjavur
Vedapuriswarar Temple	Thiruvedhikudi	Thanjavur
Kandeeswarar Temple	Thirukkandiyur	Thanjavur
Puvananathar Temple	Thirupanturuthi	Thanjavur
Neyyadiappar Temple	Tiruneithaanam	Thanjavur

This temple is one of the 7 shrines associated with Saptamartrikas(seven female deities in Siva temple).

References

1. T.A., Srinivasan (21 March 2003). "Temple for the Great Trinity". The Hindu. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
2. Concise classified dictionary of Hinduism .P.22.Kodayanallur Vanamamalai Soundara Rajan.
3. Tourist Guide to Tamil Nadu.
4. http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/22/stories/2011042255521400.htm.The Hindu

Gallery

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  Vimanam view

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  Temple complex

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  Temple complex