Saptha Sthana Sthalams[Temples] around Thiruvaiyaru-[Thiruchotruthurai]-Thanjavur

Othavananeswarar Temple

The Thiruchotruthurai temple is one among a group of seven, collectively known as the Saptha Sthaanam temples. These temples are unique, for they are related to the marriage of Shiva’s foremost attendant, Nandi, and the part that Shiva played in this marriage.

Nandi was born to Siladha Maharshi and performed great penance to his favored deity, Siva. Siva was so pleased with his worship, he not only made Nandi his prime attendant, He also got him married. The marriage itself took place at Thirumazhapadi near Thiruvaiyaru, and Shiva took his devotee around these seven temples as part of the Sapthapadi. Every year, this occasion is celebrated in April/May with the idol of the Lord starting out in a beautifully decorated glass-encrusted palanquin from Thiruvaiyaru, and taking a round of these seven villages. At each village he is received at one boundary by the Lord of that village and accompanied by him to the next village, where he is received by the next one. In such a way, he completes a full circle and returns to Thiruvaiyaru. 

All these temples are situated around Thiruvaiyaru and it is possible to visit all these temples within 4 hours.

The Seven Temples are:

Sl.No.	Temple name	Place	District
1	Aiyarappar temple	Thiruvaiyaru	Thanjavur
2	Apathsahayar Temple	Tirupazhanam	Thanjavur
3	Othanavaneswarar Temple	Tiruchotruthurai	Thanjavur
4	Vedapuriswarar Temple	Thiruvedhikudi	Thanjavur
5	Brahmasirakandeeswarar Temple	Thirukkandiyur	Thanjavur
6	Pushpavananathar Temple	Thirupanturuthi	Thanjvaur
7	Neyyadiappar Temple	Thiruneithaanam	Thanjavur

The temple of Othanavaneswarar is one of the Saptha sthana Sthalam, and is third in order.

Period of origin

Before 7 th Century Appar, Thirugnanasampanthar, sundarar had sung in Dhevaram.

Name of deity

Moolavar:Othanavaneswarar

Ambal:Annapurani

Sthala Theertham: Suriya Theertham and Kudamuruti

Stalavriksham: Vilvam

Legend has it that when Poverty prevailed in the world, Ambal Annapurani blessed to grow Choru[Choru means cooked rice in Tamil] near by field and fed her devotees, thus the name for this place came be called" Thiru Chotru thurai". Even now we can see a field near by called as Choruudayan vaikal.

The deities are Othavaneswarar and Annapoorneswari. 

According to the legend, it was here that the food for the marriage of Nandi was prepared by Arularar and his wife. 

The Lord presented them with an Akshaya patram for this purpose, and this story is immortalized in the temple with images of Arularar and his wife holding the Akshaya patram outside the main sanctum of the deity.

This is quite a large and well maintained temple, and in the outer pragaram are groups of lingams, replicas of those in the Saptha Sthaanam temples, Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, etc.

Food distribution is done to the devotees during festival day.

When Lord Suriya was cursed by Lord Shiva for his Participation in Dhaksha's yaga, He came here and worshiped the lord and got rid of his curse.

Indran, Suriyan and Gobaga maharishi had worshiped here.

The Curse of Akalikai to Indra was relieved here.

The three stage Rajagopuram welcomes us in front. In first premises we can see Ambal shrine separately then in the main entrance we can see vinayagar, murugan, nataraja sabai, a very big Subramaniyar statue, gobaga muni idol and kalasamharamoorhty. 

Saptha Sthana Thiruvizha is one of the major festivals celebrated here. 

Temple Timings:

6.30 am to 12.30 pm and 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm

Temple Telephone Number:

Archakar : +919788622316

Temple Address:

Arulmigu Chotruthurainathar Alayam
Thiruchotruthurai[post]
Kandiyur[via]
Thiruvaiyaru[Taluk]
Thanjavur[Dist]
TamilNadu 
India.