This Shiva temple is one of 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 Shri Shiva.
Mulavar: Brahmashirkandishwarar, Virateshwarar, Bruhadnadar, Aadivilvavanadar
Uthsavar murthy: Somaskandar
Devi: Mangalambika
Kshetra vruksha: Bilva
Sacred Teertha: Nandi teertha, Kudamurtti teertha (river), Daksha teertha, Brahma teertha
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 Shri 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 Shri Muruga. In a Navagraha sanctum, the idol of Surya with his wives is installed. Near Shiva’s sanctum sanctorium we have the idols of Shri Brahma and Saraswati. Shri Brahma is seated and is worshiping Shri 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 Shri Shiva (Vadugar - hunter) to cut the 5th head of Shri Brahma. It is near the entrance door to the sanctum of Shri Brahma. Near the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum, we have 2 idols of Shri 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 Shri Shiva and Shri Parvati Devi seated at mount Kailash while Shri Brahma and Shri Saraswati Devi are worshiping them.
Those who worshiped here:
Shri Brahma, Shri Saraswati Devi, 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 Shri Shiva during these days. This is a parihara sthala for Brahma hatya dosha, Kalatra dosha.
Kshetra puran:
Originally, Shri Brahma had 5 heads like Shri Shiva. Mistaking Shri Brahma to be Shri Shiva, Shri Parvati Devi did padhya pooja of Shri Brahma (as an act of respect) as this was an act of deceit by Shri Brahma, Shri Shiva severed one of the heads of Shri Brahma at this place. Hence this place is known as Kandiyur or Kandanpuram. Head of Shri Brahma stuck to the hand of Shri Shiva As an atonement, Shri Shiva worshipped Shri 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 Shri Vishnu relieved sin of Shri Shiva, he is known as Shaapvimochan perumal. Later Shri Shiva built a temple for Shri Vishnu at this place very close to his temple and is known as Harashaapvimochana temple. Later on Kamalapushkarini came to be known as Kapalateertha. As per another Puran, Shri Laxmi Devi requested Shri Shiva to cut one of the heads of Shri Bramha to get complete attention of Shri Vishnu. King Mahabali, Moon got relieved of their sins at this place. Sage Bhrigu got rid of the sin he got by kicking Shri 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 Shri Shiva on pradosha day. To test him, Shri 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. Shri 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 Shri 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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