This is the 130th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 13th sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. The temple is on the banks of river Kudamurutti. This is one of the Sapta Sthalangal of Thiruvaiyaru. This is one of the 44 temples which are sung by Thevara Moovar.
In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar visited this place after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiru Kandiyur. In Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal puranam, Sekkizhar mentions that after worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple, went to Thirupazhanam and carried out the Thirupani there.
அப்பர் சோற்றுத்துறை சென்று அடைவோம் என்றுஒப்புஇல் வண்தமிழ்மாலை ஒருமையால்செப்பியே சென்று சேர்ந்தனர் சேர்வு இலார்முப்புரம் செற்றமுன்னவர் கோயில் முன்……… திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்எழும்பணியும் இளம்பிறையும் அணிந்தவரை எம்மருங்கும்,தொழும்பணி மேற்கொண்டு அருளித் திருச்சோற்றுத் துறை முதலாத்தழும்பு உறு கேண்மையினால் நண்ணித் தானங்கள் பலபாடிச்செழும் பழனத்து இறை கோயில் திருத்தொண்டு செய்திருந்தார்…………. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்
Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
பிணிகொள் ஆக்கை ஒழியப்பிறப்புளீர்துணிகோள் போர் ஆர் துளங்கு மழுவாளர்மணிகொள் கண்டர் மேயவார் பொழில்அணிகொள் சோற்றுத் துறை சென்று அடைவோமே…….. திருஞானசம்பந்தர்பொய்விரா மேனி தன்னைப் பொருளெனக் காலம் போக்கிமெய்விரா மனத்தன் அல்லேன் வேதியா வேத நாவாஐவரால் அலைக்கப்பட்ட ஆக்கைகொண்டு அயர்த்துப் போனேன்செய்வரால் உகளும் செம்மைத் திருச்சோற்றுத் துறையினாரே…… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்அழல்நீர் ஒழுகி அனைய சடையும்உழையீர் உரியும் உடையான் இடமாம்கழைநீர் முத்தும் கனகக் குவையும்கழல்நீர்ப் பொன்னிச் சோற்றுத்துறையே…….. சுந்தரர் -“கொண்டியல்பின் வேற்றுத் துறையுள் விரவாதவர் புகழுஞ்சோற்றுத் துறையுட் சுகவளமே…….. திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Chotruthurai Nathar, Sri Odhanavaneswarar and Sri Tholaya Selva Nathar.Consort : Sri Annapoorani, Sri Tholaya Selvi.
Some of the salient features of this temple are……The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Rishabam and Dwajasthambam are in front of Sanctum sanctorum under a temporary metal sheet mandapa. Rishabam and balipeedam are also there after the Rajagopuram. Vinayagar and Murugan are on both side of the Rajagopuram. Moolavar is of Swayambhu. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma and Durgai.
Natarajar sabha and Urchavaras are in the Mandapa. A special big size Arumugar with 6 heads and 12 hands, is at the entrance of the artha mandapam in a separate Sannadhi. Next to Arumugar sannadhi, Gautama maharishi and the bas-relief of Gautama Maharishi worshiping Lord Shiva.
In prakaram and mandapam Valamchuli Vinayagar, Murugan, Maha Vishnu, Natarajar, Nalvar, Gautama maharishi, Ayyanar, Shiva Lingas, Saptamatrikas, Mahalakshmi, Navagrahas, Kasi Viswanathar Lingothbavar, Kala samhara murthy, Chandikeswarar and a three tier Hero stone. Arulalan with his wife who has got the akshaya pathiram are also in the prakaram. There is a Merchant Group inscription with their symbols, installed in the temple complex.
All the Pancha Bhootha and Saptasthana Lingas are also in the prakaram and it is believed that worshiping of these Shiva Lingas is equivalent to worshiping Shiva Lingas without going there.Sri Pushpavaneswarar - ThiruppoonthuruthiSri Neyyadiappar - Thiruneithanam Sri Panchanatheeswarar - ThiruvaiyaruSri Aabathsahayeswarar - ThirupazhanamSri Odhanavaneeswarar - ThiruchotruthuraiSri Vedapureeswarar - ThiruvedhikudiSri Brahma Sira Kandeswarar - Thirukandiyur
Ambal is in a separate temple on the right facing east with sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. Mahalakshmi, Vinayagar and Murugan.
The 15th Century Saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of the seven temples – ie SaptaSthana temples around Thiruvaiyaru.
திருவின் மாமர மார்பழ னப்பதி அயலு சோறவை யாளுது றைப்பதி திசையி னான்மறை தேடிய முற்குடி விதியாதிச் சிரமு மாநிலம் வீழ்தரு மெய்பதி பதும நாயகன் வாழ்பதி நெய்பதி திருவை யாறுட நேழுதி ருப்பதி பெருமாளே
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSSince Thirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7th Century. Latter reconstructed with stone during Chozhas, Aditha Chozha-I (..?). The inscriptions recorded belongs to Aditha Chozha, Parantaka Chozha, Rajakesari varman, Konerimaikondan and Kulothunga Chozha. The inscriptions are damaged many parts during renovations.
As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Thiruchotruthurai Mahadevar, Tholaiya Selvar and Ambal was called as Tholaiya Selvi.
Most of the inscriptions records the endowment of burning perpetual lamps, service, poojas, naivedyam ( Kariyamuthu, Thayiramuthu/ curd rice, neiyamuthu ), celebrations, maintenance of this temple for which land, Gold , palangkasu, and cattle/ 90 goat / sheep / savaa moova peradu / per lamp are gifted to this temple. A Lamp was called as Uthamathani.
A fragment stone inscription records the meikeerthi of Rajaraja-I. A Person called Nakkanadithan gave a gift of 2 Conch to blow during thirupali / pooja. One of the inscription records the gift of Land to the dancer. Another inscription records a Lamp stand was gifted by a person called Nalamallur Devar.
Ko Rajakesarivarmar ( Rajaraja-I )’s 6th reign year inscription records that during his visit, the following are to be arranged, A lamp to be burn with 2 nazhi oil, the people who hold the lamps, cleaning staff two people, Kalamuthikal 4 persons, Salai aduvan one person, Nanthavanakudikal 3 persons, Those who are residing temple houses.
LEGENDSIt is believed that Arunagiri Nathar, Brahma, Vishnu, Indran, Gautama Maharishi and Suryan worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
“Choru – food – சோறு”, in this legend signifies the salvation or the Mukthi or to get relieved from the cycle of birth and rebirth and reach the Lotus feet of Lord Shiva. So, Lord Shiva not only providing food for the stomach, but bless us to attain mukthi or salvation.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSDuring Nandhikeswara’s marriage Thiruvaiyaru Aiyarappar visits this temple and Urchavar will also participates in the marriage. This temple’s urchavar will go to Thiruvaiyaru during “Ezhur Festival”
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Navaratri in the month Purattasi ( Sep – Oct ), Skanda sashti and annabishekam in the month Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov- Dec ), Makara sankranti in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ) and maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ).
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS :Mobile number of Kannan +91 99438 84377 and Gurukkal Manohar Agora Sivam + 91 8344658671 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH :Town bus and autos are available from Kandiyur and Thiruvaiyaru.The temple 4 KM from Kandiyur, 6 KM from Thiruvaiyaru, 15 KM from Thanjavur, 31 KM from Kumbakonam and 335 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway station is Thanjavur.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Pichadanar
Saptamatrikas
Saptamatrikas
Saptamatrikas
Kalasamharamurthy
Three Tier Hero stone
Inscription---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
-“கொண்டியல்பின்
Moolavar : Sri Chotruthurai Nathar, Sri Odhanavaneswarar and
Sri Neyyadiappar - Thiruneithanam
During Nandhikeswara’s marriage Thiruvaiyaru Aiyarappar visits this temple and Urchavar will also participates in the marriage. This temple’s urchavar will go to Thiruvaiyaru during “Ezhur Festival”
Pichadanar
Saptamatrikas
Saptamatrikas
Saptamatrikas
Kalasamharamurthy
Three Tier Hero stone
Inscription
