There are eight places, around Thiru-Vaiyaru along the banks of river Kauveri, which are related to the marriage of Nandi (Lord Shiva’s mount). Lord Shiva arranged the marriage of Nandideva with Swayambikai. It is believed that the marriage took place at Thirumazhapadi near Thiruvaiyaru in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr) on the day of Punarvasu nakshatra. For this marriage, Lord Shiva arranged the fruits from Thirupazhanam, food from Thiruchotruthurai, vedic brahmins from Thiruvedhikudi, ornaments from Thirukkandiyur, flowers and garlands from Thirupanturuthi and ghee for the homa (yadnya) from Thiruneithaanam.
The upcoming eight articles will be about the eight temples which are connected to the sapta sthanam and marriage.
Saptha Sthanam festival:
To commemorate this event, a festival is conducted every year at Thiruvaiyaru during the Tamil month of Chithirai (Chitra which happens between mid-April to mid-May) on Vishakha nakshatra.
The Utsava murtis of principal deities from these temples are brought in seven glass palanquins (palkhi) to Thiruvaiyaru. First, the palanquins containing the Utsava murtis, Nandi and his wife start from Thiruvaiyaru and go to the 2nd temple. At the border of the 2nd temple they are received by deities (Utsava murtis) from the 2nd temple. After performing the pooja at this place, all the Utsava Moorthy including from 2nd temple go to 3rd temple. Again they are received at the border of the village by Utsava murtis from 3rd village. In this manner all the Utsava murtis from all the seven temples assemble at the seventh temple and then they come back to the main temple at Thiruvaiyaru. They are paraded there and a ritual known as Poochorithal (showering of flowers) is conducted. In this festival a doll offers the flowers to the principal deities in their palanquins. After this the palanquins leave for their respective temples.
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