This Shiva temple is the fifth in the sapta sthanam temples. It is also the first in Ashthaviratteshwar temples. It is more than 1800 years old. It is also one of the 276 Shiva temples revered by Nayanmars. The temple is associated with one of the seven Shiva temples where the Saptamatrikas worshipped Lord Shiva.
Mulavar: Brahmashirkandishwarar, Virateshwarar, Bruhadnadar, Aadivilvavanadar
Uthsavar murthy: Somaskandar
Devi: Mangalambika
Khsetra vruksha: Bilva
Sacred Tirtha: Nandi tirtha, Kudamurtti tirtha (river), Daksha tirtha, Brahma tirtha
Puranik name: Kandapuram, Thirukandiyur, Aadivilvaranya, Viratam, Trimurtisthala
City: Kandiyur
District: Tanjavur, TN
This temple is on the bank of Kudamurrutti river. It is one of the 108 divya desams revered by Vaishnavas. In front of the Shiva temple we have a Vishnu temple known as Harashaapvimochana temple i.e. Haravimochana perumal kovil. According to scriptures this temple was built by Mahabali between Kudamurutti and Vennar river.
About the temple: This is a west facing temple with a 5 tiered rajagopuram. There is a flagpost, Nandi, Balipeetha and idol of Vinayaka near the black post. On stone inscription, the Lord is mentioned as Thiruviratmahadevar, Thirukandiyur mahadevar. The Lord is a swayambhoo linga on an high pedestal.
Other shrines and idols in the temple:
God Dandapaani is in a seperate shrine with a mandap. Ambika faces the south. She has 4 hands and abhaya mudra. In the shrine of Vinayaka, we find Lord Muruga with Valli and Deivanai. We have the idols of Mahalaxmi, Nataraja, Vishnu-Durga, Bhairava, Saptavinayaka and Ardhanarishwar in a seating position. In the koshta, we find the koshta murthys Brahma, Lingodbhavar, Bhikshadanar, Nartanavinayaka and Ardhanarishwar. Chandikeshwar is in a separate shrine. There is a separate shrine for Kalahastinadar. Near dwarpalakas, we have the idol of sage Shatapaada muni and Shivalinga of saptasthanam and Panchabhootalingams are found along-with idol of Lord Muruga. In a Navagraha sanctum, the idol of Surya with his wives is installed. Near Shiva’s sanctum sanctorium we have the idols of Lord Brahma and Saraswati. Lord Brahma is seated and is worshiping Lord Shiva. He has a rosary on one hand and lotus on other hand. There is a separate shrine of Rajaganapati under the Bilva tree. A statue of a hunter indicates the form taken by Lord Shiva (Vadugar - hunter) to cut the 5th head of Lord Brahma. It is near the entrance door to the sanctum of Lord Brahma. Near the entrance to the sanctum sanctorium, we have 2 idols of Lord Muruga, one japamaal in his hand is known as Shree Gyanaskandar and other is with a lotus flower in hand. This is known as Veeraskandhar. The Navagrahas are facing the idol of Surya. On top of the 2nd entrance, we have the sculpture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati seated at mount Kailash while Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswati are worshiping them.
Those who worshiped here:
Lord Brahma, Goddess Saraswati, Surya, Sage Shatapada, Dronacharya, Daksha and King Bhagiratha.
Special feature:
The rays of the Sun fall on the Shiva Linga on 13th, 14th and 15th in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-March) between 5.45 pm to 6.10 pm. It is believed that the Sun worships Lord Shiva during these days. This is a parihara sthala for Brahma hatya dosha, Kalatra dosha.
Kshetra puran:
Originally, Lord Brahma had 5 heads like Lord Shiva. Mistaking Lord Brahma to be Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati did padhya pooja of Lord Brahma (as an act of respect) as this was an act of deceit by Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva severed one of the heads of Lord Brahma at this place. Hence this place is known as Kandiyur or Kandanpuram. Head of Lord Brahma stuck to the hand of Lord Shiva As an atonement, Lord Shiva worshipped Lord Vishnu at Thirukarambur in the form of Bikshadanar. By this He could partially get rid of the sin at this place. Later Shiva worshipped Vishnu at this place by taking a holy dip in the temple tank known as Kamalapushakarini and got rid of the curse completely. Since Lord Vishnu relieved sin of Lord Shiva, he is known as Shaapvimochan perumal. Later Lord Shiva built a temple for Lord Vishnu at this place very close to his temple and is known as Harashaapvimochana temple. Later on Kamalapushkarini came to be known as Kapalatirtha. As per another Puran, Goddess Laxmi requested Lord Shiva to cut one of the heads of Lord Bramha to get complete attention of Lord Vishnu. King Mahabali, Moon got relieved of their sins at this place. Sage Bhrigu got rid of the sin he got by kicking Lord Vishnu in chest. Chandra was partially releived of the sin he got for seducing the preceptor's wife. Sage Shatapada use to go to Kalahasti to worship Lord Shiva on pradosha day. To test him, Lord Shiva sent rain and thunder on his way to Kalahasti. As he could not go to Kalahasti on that day, sage Shatapada tried to kill himself by jumping into the Agnikunda at Kandiyur. Lord Shiva graced him with Darshana of Kalahasti at this place. Lord Shiva brought a bilva tree from mount Kailash for the sage to perform worship. Hence the place is also known as Aadibilva-vanam. This place has the honor of having all the three trinity. Hence this is known as Trimurthy sthalams.
Festivals at this place:
- Chitrai (April-May) - Satpasthanam festival
- Aani (Jun-Jul) - Thirumanjanam at Lord Vishnu’s temple
- Aadi (Jul-Aug) Puram (purva falguni nakshatra) festivals
- Avani (Aug-Set) Ganesha chaturthi
- Purattasi (Sep-Oct) - Navaratri
- Aippasi (Oct-Nov) - Anna abhishek, Skandha shasti festival
- Karthikgai (Nov-Dec) - Karthigai deepam
- Margazi (Dec-Jan) - Ardra darshan
- Masi (Feb-Mar) - Mahashivaratri
- Panguni (Mar-April) - Panguniuttharam (Uttar phalguni nakshatra)
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