The Saptha Sthana Sthalams[Temples]around Thiruvaiyaru[Thirukkandiyur]-Thanjavur

Thirukkandiyur temple

The Thirukkandiyur 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	Odhanavaneswarar Temple	Tiruchotruthurai	Thanjavur
4	Vedapuriswarar Temple	Thiruvedhikudi	Thanjavur
5	Brahmasirakandeeswarar Temple	Thirukkandiyur	Thanjavur
6	Pushpavananathar Temple	Thirupanturuthi	Thanjvaur
7	Neyyadiappar Temple	Thiruneithaanam	Thanjavur

The Brahmasirakandeeswarar temple is one of the Saptha Sthana Sthalam, being Fifth in order.  This is also one of the Attaveeratanam Sthalam. 

Period of origin
Before 6th Century. Appar, Thirugnanasampanthar, Sundarar, Manikkavasagar & Arunagirinathar had sung about this temple.

Name of deity

Moolavar:Brahmasirakandeeswarar 

Ambal:Mangalambikai

Sthala Theertham: Nandhi, Dhakshan, BrahmaTheertham.

Stalavriksham: Vilvam

Sthalapuranam:

This is the place where Lord Shiva collected Jewels for Nandi's Marriage 

Lord Shiva brought a Vilva tree from Kailash for Sathaptha muni. Hence this place is also called as "AthiVilvaranyam".

Sathaptha muni used to visit Kalahasthi at every Prathosham day. Once he came to Kandiyur he missed the kalathi dharshan and it is said that Lord Shiva showed him Kalathi Dharshan here.

Suriyan[sun]worshiped the Lord here.

In the month of Masi [inTamil] on 13, 14, 15, between 5.45 pm to 6.10 pm we can see the sun rays fall on Lingam.

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

Thirukandiyur or Kandiyur is the site where Shiva curbed the ego of Brahma by cutting off his fifth head. It is believed that, at the beginning of creation, Brahma had 5 heads, and as he created one form of life after another, his ego grew, until he felt that he was the greatest of the gods. Shiva decided to teach him a lesson, and cut off Brahma's fifth head, which stood on top of the other four. Brahma at once realized his error, and prayed to Shiva, asking for forgiveness. This temple also figures among the Saptha Sthaanam temples.

The main deity here is the Brahma Shira Kandeeswarar. The goddess is Mangalambigai. There is a statue of Brahma and Saraswati in a separate sanctum to the left of the lingam facing it.

Kandiyur has the distinction of being one among two sets of temples - one of the Saptha Sthaanam temples and as well as one of the Ashta Veeratta Sthalams - temples where Shiva has shown his power by overcoming someone. Here, at Kandiyur, he crushed the ego of Brahma by plucking off his fifth head. He is therefore known as Brahma Shira Kandeeswarar. Hence the name - Kandiyur. The Devi here is Mangalambigai.

An interesting thing about this temple, and indeed, many other temples in this area [Thanjavur, Thiruvaiyaru and Kumbakonam] is the position of the Navagrahas. Generally, the Navagrahas have Surya in the middle, with the eight others facing in different directions. However, in many of these temples, all the eight face Surya. Another interesting thing is that Surya is accompanied by his wives, Usha and Sandhya.

Temple Timings:

8 am to 12.30 pm and 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm

Temple Address

Arulmigu Brahmasirakandeeswarar Alayam
kandiyur[Post]
Thiruvaiyaru[Via]
Thanjavur [Dist]
TamilNadu
India