Tiruvaiyaru Panchanadisvara also called as Iyarisvara, a Siva temple located 12 kms from the north of Tanjavur. Tiruvaiyaru in Tamil means the 'Holy Land of Five Rivers'. The temple in its current form and structure dates back to the Pallava period with further improvements and renovation during the Chola and Nayak rule. This is one of the six sacred places in Tamil Nadu equivalent to visiting Kasi. The others are Tiruvanjiyam, Tiruvenkadu, Tirumayiladuthurai, Tiruvidaimarathur and Tiruchaikkadu. South of Tiruvaiyaru towards Tanjavur flows the River Cauvery with its four tributaries namely Kudamuruti, Vennar, Vettar and Vadaaru. The Sacred water from these five rivers is used to bath the Lord Iyarappar. Hence this place came to be referred to as ‘Tiru’ ‘I’ ‘aru’. The temple has a special feature that in the South Western corner of the third Prakara facing the Northern direction if one call out as ‘Iyaaraa’, the echo repeats seven times ‘Iyaaraa’. The temple has a back entrance where there is a shrine of Atkondar or Kala Samhara Murti an another form of Lord Siva. The Atkondar deity is most fearsome wearing garland of scorpions and other poisonous creatures. It is said that Siva took this form to punish Yama. In front of Atkondar shrine there is a huge pit where Kungiliam (Benzoin) is burnt as an offering. It is believed the smoke from the Benzoin removes the fear of death also wards away death due to the bite of poisonous creatures. The temple is situated on the North bank of River Cauvery and the Lord was praised and sung by the famous Tamil Tevaram Saints such as Appar, Sambandar, Manikkavasakar and Sundarar and celebrated as 51st site. The temple has four Rajagopurams (Towers) and five Prakaras (Galleries). The temple, known as 'Dakshina Kailasam' (Southern Abode of Lord Siva), built in an area of approximately 60,000 square meters with many 'Mandapas'. 'Uttara Kailasam' was built by the Queen of Rajaraja Chola and the 'Dakshina Kailasam' was renovated by the Queen of Rajendra Chola. The name 'Dakshina Kailasam' came into existence because Lord Siva and Parvati appeared themselves in front of Saint Appar who was determined to see the Lord as if he is in Kailash (Mount Kailash). This place is also referred to as Panchanatham and Bhoologa Kailasam. The inscriptions found in the temple are dating back to 1000 years. Several inscriptions in the temple affiliates to the Cholas, Pandiyas and Nayaks.Near the Siva temple is the one-roomed house where Thyagaraja composed some of his greatest works. On the banks of the river is the Samadhi of the saint composer and it is here that the greatest music festival in the country takes place annually. Saint Thyagaraja’s life and Kirtanas are the heritage of Indian culture expressed in classical Carnatic music. Musicians sit on either side of the Samadhi and render the Saint's 'Pancharatna Kritis) in chorus as a mark of homage. The Aaradhana (Ceremony of Adoration) is held every year on the anniversary of the demise of the saint. In Thiruvaiyaru, Tanjavur King Saroboji built a Vedic School that has now turned into the famous Government Music School of Tamil Nadu. Appar, one of the important Naynars, was closely associated with this shrine and dedicated one of the songs in 'Tevaram' to this temple. Birth place of Nandi: A childless Silatha Rishi invoked the blessing of Iyarappar who directed him to perform the 'Putra Kameshti Yaga' here at this temple. On completion, he found a child in a box below the earth but unfortunately he was destined to live only till the age of 16. Nearing the age of 16, the boy who was named Seppesar found his parents in tears. Unable to bear this, he entered the Iyarappar temple and for days together undertook a severe penance. Snakes and fishes bit him but unmindful of this, he continued his penance day and night. Pleased with his sincerity, Iyarappar appeared before him and offered him any number of wishes that included a longer life. In course of time, he married Suyampirakasai, the daughter of Vyakrapatha Rishi. Later, he was initiated into special mantras by Lord Iyarappar himself and taken to Kailasa where he was accorded the special status of being the security leader of Lord Siva. He was also the first to be initiated into Agama Sastra by Dakshinamurthy. He is also known as Nandikesara. This temple is also famous for Nandi's marriage. The names Nandisvarar and Nandikesvarar are mistook as one name and deity. Indeed, they are different from the other. Nandisarar is the bull vehicle of Lord Siva commonly called Nandhi. Nandikesar is the founder of the Tiru Kayilaya Parampara dynasty.History of the Temple: On his way back from winning one of his battles, Karikal Cholas' chariot stuck to the ground. His men dug the ground and found idols of Siva, Parvati, Ganapati, Subrahmanya and a Nandi. When they dug further, they found a Siddha / Saint named Niyamesar performing penance with his long hairs spread across the earth. The king immediately prostrated before the Siddha, fearing that he has disturbed his penance, but the Siddha with all the kind heart blessed the king and instructed the king to build a temple for the Lord and Ambal. He also told the king that he will get all the wealth needed to build the temple made available under the Nandhi’s statue found buried few feet away. The local legend says that it was Iyarappar himself who came and blessed the king and asked him to build the temple for him. There is still this belief that it was Lord Himself who had come as Siddha with all his long hair 'Jada Mudi' spread across the temple area. Because of this belief, even today no one is allowed to circumambulate the Sanctum Sanctorum to perform 'Pradikshana' as they think the Iyarappar’s hair is spread across in that area.He installed the idols and built this temple. In the 9th century AD, Nandivarma Pallava renovated the temple and built the Sanctum and installed the idols of Dvarapalakas. During the rule of Rajendra I, there was further renovation and improvements made at the temple. In the 12th Century AD, Vikrama Chola built the third and the fourth Prakara and the 100 pillar mandapa where the Utsava deities provide Darshan before and after festival processions. King Achuthappa Nayak built the Dhandapani temple Mandapa with 144 pillars in the 16th century AD. In Tiruvaiyaru there is no Visnu temple and with the absence of it the Goddess Aram Valartha Nayaki seen as an incarnation of Lord Visnu. Every year Andals' Tiruppavai verses are recited here on all the days of Tamil month Margazhi. Seven Cities Festival / Sapthasthanam: One of the famous temple festivals of Tamil Nadu is the ‘Sapthasthanam’ festival that takes place in the Tamil month of 'Chitirai' when Nandikesara, on a horse vehicle / 'Vahana', along with his wife Svayampirakasai, on a palanquin go on a seven cities procession located around Tiruvaiyaru along with Aiyrappar and Aram Valartha Nayaki. Altogether the 16 deities go around the seven cities and finally congregate at Tiruvaiyaru on the ,Visakam' star of Tamil 'Chitirai' month. Among the twelve days festivals the fifth day festival is considered to be the most important festival because the Lord worship Himself on this day. The temple has more than 70 inscriptions and from the inscriptions the God is known as Iyarappar, Panchapakesar, Chempor Chodhi Nathar, Panchanadiswarar, Pranatharthiharar, Mahadeva Pandarakarar, Jeppesar and Kaiylaya Nathar and this is the place from where Rishi Agastya was blessed by the Lord as 'Kurumuni'. The Goddess is known as Aram Valartha Nayagi, Dharma Samvardhini, Tiripurasundari, Ulagudiya Nachiar and Thiruka Kottathu Aludiya Nachiar. Theertham : Kaviri, Surya Theertham, Nandhi Theertham, Samudra Theertham and Devamridha Theertham.Tree: Vilvam. Name of the Abode : Kavirikottam, Thiruvaiyaru, Panchanatham, Dakshina Kailasam, Iyaru, Jeevan Mukthi Puram and Jeppesal. Great Saints Visited : Nandhi Devar, Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar, Cheraman Peruman, Manikkavasakar, Pattinathar and Arunagiri Nathar. Maratha Period Mural Paintings: The walls of the inner galleries / Prakaras adorn with beautiful mythological paintings done during Marathas that are partially repainted. The temple is maintained and controlled by the Dharmapura Adheenam and the chief (Adheenakartha) is Srilasri.Shanmuga Desika Gnanasambanda Paramachariya Swamigal.
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