| Description:
This is one of the eight Veeratta Stalams associated wtith Shiva. It is also the 5th Stanam
of the 7 Saptastanams of Tiruvaiyaru. There is also a Divya Desam of Vishnu sung
by the Alwars in this village, across from this temple. The eight Veeratta
Stalams are Tiruvatikai, Tirukkurukkai,
Tirukkadavur, Tiruvazhuvur, Tirukkovalur, Tiruppariyalur, Tirukkandiyur and Tiruvirkudi. Tiruvazhuvur is considered to be a Tevara
Vaippustalam, as it has no Patikams dedicated to it. The Saptastana temples of
Tiruvaiyaru are Tiruppazhanam, Tiruchottruturai, Tiruvedikkudi,
Tirukkandiyur, Tiruppanturai Tillaistanam and Tiruvaiyaru. Legend
has it that upon the request of the Devas, Shiva removed the 5th head of Bhrama, who had
been until then causing great misery to other beings. There is also a shrine to Bhrama in
this temple.
The Temple:This West facing temple (as with most of the other Veeratta
shrines) with 2 prakarams occupies an area of about an acre. There is a shrien to
Kaaliamman in this temple.A five tiered Rajagopuram with images of Lingodbhavar
adorns the western entrance to the temple. Inscriptions from the Pallava period and from
the days of Rajendra Chola are seen here. The sun's rays illuminate the sanctum on
the 13th,14th,15th days in the month of Aquarius (Maasi).
Festivals: The annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of
Vaikasi. The Saptastana festival of Tiruvaiyaru, where the festival image of Shiva
of Tiruvaiyaru is taken in procession to each of the 7 temples is a very grand one. |
