Kandiyur Brahmma Sira Kandeeswarar

The Fifth temple in the Sapthasthanam Chitrai Festival

One of the Ashta Veera Temples of Lord Shiva

In the late 9^th century AD, a land was purchased at 110 Kalanju of pure gold. The revenue from this land was to go the daily poojas and conduct of the festival at the Veerateswarar temple in Kandiyur!!! A couple of decades later, there was another gift of land to support the sacred offerings during night service.

During the first 35 years of the 10^th century AD dating back to the rule of Parantaka Chozha I, there were three significant donations made towards the burning of the perpetual lamp at this temple

In the 2^nd half of the 10^th Century AD, during the rule of Sundara Chozha there was yet another gift of land, this time the purpose was to feed the Brahmins well verse in Vedas with a sumptuous meals in the temple!!! And in 979 AD, there was a provision made to take care of the food offerings for the Lord. 

Such was the historical importance of the Veerateswarar temple in Kandiyur located 2 kms South of Thiruvayaru on the southern banks of Cauvery. This is one of the eight Ashta Veera Sthalams of Lord Shiva (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2016/09/thiru-kurukkai-verateswarar-temple_13.html) where he displayed his 'Veera' features. This is the fifth temple in the famous Sapthasthanam festival of Thiruvayaru. Lord Airappar reaches here along with four other Lords from the Sapthasthanam temple in Chitrai for one of the grandest festival in this region.

Taking the view that Brahmma had grown arrogant, Shiva assigned Bairavar with the task of clipping off one of the five faces of Brahmma. However, once he initiated this by scratching it off with his nails, the fifth face stuck to his hand. He was liberated from this dosham here at Kandiyur. Realising the folly of acting arrogant, Brahmma performed pooja to cool the angry Lord Shiva. There is a separate sannidhi for Brahmma and Saraswathi. 

In ancient times, this place was referred to as Kandanapura and Brahmma Puri. The Lord was referred to as Brahmma Sira Kandeesar, Veeratesar and Brahmanathar.

Sathaathapa Rishi would visit Kalahasti during Prathosham days. Once when he was stuck here in Kandiyur during that period, he was saddened by his inability to visit Kalahasti and threw himself into the pyre.  The Lord of Kalahasti and Ambal provided darshan to the Rishi appearing from the Vilva tree and protected him from succumbing to the heat. In memory of this episode, this place came to be called Athi Vilvaranyam and the Lord as Athi Vilvanathar. There is an idol of Sathaathapa rishi inside the temple.

Saint Poets

 Thiru Gnana Sambanthar and Thirunavukarasar have sung verses in praise of the Lord.

Festivals

Sapthasthanam Festival in Chitrai

Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi -15 days
Aadi Parikara Pooja

Anna Abhishekam in Aipasi

Aruthra Darisanam in Margazhi

The temple is open between 8.30 am and 12.30pm and 4.30 pm and 8.30 pm. The Gurukal has been performing pooja at the temple for over two decades. Contact: 04362 211100 

How to reach

 Buses ply every 10minutes between Thanjavur old bus stand and Thiruvayaru / Ariyalur. Auto from Thanjavur station to Kandiyur will cost Rs. 150.

When here also visit:

Thiru Othavaneswarar temple ( 4kms away)

http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2016/09/thiru-chotruthurai-othavaneswarar-temple.html

Thiruvaiyaru Pancha Nadeeswarar Temple

http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2014/11/thiruvaiyaru-pancha-natheeswarar-temple.html

Hara Sabha Vimochana Perumal Divya Desam, Kandiyur

http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2007/04/108-divya-desam-kandiyur.html