This place is about a distance of 3 km from Thiruvaiyaru on Thiruvaiyaru-Tanjore route 10 km from Tanjore and 21 km from Kumbakonam.
This Shiva temple is the fifth in the sapta sthanam temples. It is also the first in Ashthaviratteshwar temples. It is also one of the 276 Shiva temples on the southern banks of Kaveri, revered by Nayanmars Sambandhar, Appar and Vallalar. Hence this must have existed even before the 7th century. It is believed to be built by Pallava and later reconstructed during the Chola period. The stone inscriptions in the temple give an account of the endowment made and the work done by Pallava, Chola and Pandya kings. The temple is associated with one of the seven Shiva temples where the Saptamatrikas worshiped Lord Shiva.
Moolavar: Shri Brahmashirkandishwarar, Shri Virateshwarar, Shri Bruhadnadar, Shri Aadivilvavanadar
Uthsavar murti: Shri Somaskandar
Devi: Shri 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
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 worshiped Lord Vishnu at Thirukarambur in the form of Bikshadanar. By this, he could partially get rid of the sin at this place. Later, Lord Shiva worshiped Lord 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 the sin of Lord Shiva, he is known as HaraShaapvimochan perumal. Later, Lord Shiva built a temple for Lord Vishnu at this place very close to his temple and is known as Shri Harashaapavimochana temple. Later on, Kamalapushkarini came to be known as Kapalateertha.
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 the chest.
Chandra was partially relieved of the sin he got for seducing the preceptor's wife.
Sage Shatapada used 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.
Those who worshiped at this place: Lord Brahma, Goddess Saraswati, Surya, Sage Shatapada, Dronacharya, Daksha and King Bhagiratha.
Special features:
1. Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswati are in the shrine next to the shrine of Lord Shiva. Idol of Lord Brahma is big and in sitting posture and looking up. He has a japa-mala and Lotus flower in his hand.
2. The idols of Lord Muruga on either side of the sanctum are unique. He holds a japa-mala in one idol and a lotus flower in the other. They are praised as GyanaSkandar and VeeraSkhandar.
3. Lord ArdhaNarishwarar idol is very beautiful. He is in a sitting position, which is unique.
4. In the NavaGraha shrine all the eight planets face Lord Surya. Lord Surya is depicted with his two wives.
5. Saint ArunaGiriNathar has praised Lord Muruga of this temple.
6. The front mandap houses Lord Dandapani and the mandap looks like a forehead of a bat.
7. At the top of the second entrance we come across beautiful scriptures of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati seated at mount Kailash while Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswati are worshiping them.
8. 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.
9. This is a parihara sthala for Brahma hatya dosha, Kalatra dosha.
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 Harashaapavimochana temple i.e. Haravimochana Perumal Kovil. According to scriptures, this temple was built by Mahabali between Kudamurutti and Vennar river.
This is a west facing temple with a 5 tiered rajagopuram. There is a flagpost, Nandi, Balipeetha and idol of Vinayaka near the flag post. On stone inscriptions, the Lord is mentioned as Thiruviratmahadevar, Thirukandiyur Mahadevar. The Lord is a swayambhoo linga on a high pedestal.
Other shrines and idols in the temple:
Lord Dandapaani is in a separate shrine with a mandap. Ambika is in a south facing shrine. Her shrine has the shape of the forehead of a bat. She has four 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 murtis - 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 sanctorum 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 the 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 sanctorum, 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.
Prayers:
1. Devotees worship at this temple to get rid of Brahma-Hatya dosha, Putra-dosha and Kalatra-dosha.
2. Devotees worship at this place for removal of marriage obstacles.
Pooja:
1. Daily four rituals are held.
2. Pradosha pooja is performed regularly.
Festivals at this place:
Chitrai (April-May): Satpa sthanam festival
Aani (Jun-Jul): Thirumanjanam at Lord Vishnu’s temple
Aadi (Jul-Aug): Puram (purva phalguni nakshatra) festivals
Avani (Aug-Set): Ganesha chaturthi
Purattasi (Sep-Oct): Navaratri
Aippasi (Oct-Nov): Anna abhishek, Skandha shasti festival
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Karthigai deepam
Margazi (Dec-Jan): Ardra darshan
Masi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivaratri
Panguni (Mar-April): Panguni uttiram (Uttar phalguni nakshatra)
Temple timing: 7 am to 12 noon and 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Temple address: Shri Bramhashirkandishwarar temple, At-post: Thirukandiyur, Taluka : Thiruvaiyaru, District : Tanjore, TN 613202.
Phone: +91-4362261100, +91-4362262222, +91-9047688305
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