Tirukandiyur Sri Brahmasirakandeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur

Address

Tirukandiyur Sri Brahmasirakandeeswarar Temple, Tiruvaiyaru Taluk, Thanjavur district, PIN 613202 PH:04362-262222

Diety

Brahmasirakandeesar Amman: Mangalanayagi

Introduction

Kandeeswarar Temple (also called Brahmakandeeswarar temple and Veerataneeswarar temple) is dedicated to the god Shiva located in Kandiyur also known as Thirukkandiyur or Tirukkandiyur, near Tiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Kandeeswarar, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Mangalanayagi. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. As per legends, Shiva is believed to have destroyed eight different demons and the eight Ashta Veeratanam temples are built signifying each of his victories in the war. The temple is one of the eight where Shiva is believed to have removed one of the five heads of Brahma. Thala Virutcham : Vilvam (Bael Tree Theertham : Nandi Theertham, Kudamurutti, Daksa Theertham, Brahma Theertham

Puranic Significance

As per Hindu legend, Brahma, the Hindu god of creation and Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction, had originally five heads. Parvati, the wife of Shiva, once got confused and performed patha pooja (ablution of feet, considered an act of respect) to Brahma, instead of Shiva. Shiva got enraged and cut off one of Brahma’s heads; the cut head got stuck in his hand due to Brahma’s curse. To get rid off the sin, Shiva worshipped Vishnu at Thirukarambanur as Bhikshatana, where a part of his sin was relieved. He got his curse fully relieved after visiting Vishnu at Thirukandiyur and taking a holy dip in the temple tank, Kamala Pushkarani. Since Vishnu relieved (vimochana) the sin (saabha) of Shiva (also called Hara), the temple is called Hara Sabha Vimochana temple. After the incident, the tank came to be known as Kapala Theertham (kapala indicates skull). Shiva was pleased and he built the Hara Sabha Vimochana temple and also built a temple for himself near it. As per another legend, Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu requested Shiva to cut off one of the heads of Brahma as she felt that Vishnu would ignore her and show all his affection towards Brahma. Sage Bhrigu, King Mahabali and Chandra (Moon) all got their sins relieved worshipping Vishnu here in the temple. Sage Bhrigu, once wanted to test the superior of Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva. He kicked Vishnu in his chest in anger and got relieved of the sin here. Chandra, who sinned by seducing the preceptor’s wife, got partially relieved of it by worshipping Hara Saabha Vimochana Perumal.

Beliefs

Devotees venerate this Lord to get free off “Brahmahathi” revile and to wind up delightful.Devotees can perform abhishekam to the Lord and Ambal, and adorn them with new clothes.

Special Features

Kandeeswarar has a five-tiered rajagopuram and a west-facing sanctum. The sanctum lies axil to the temple gateway and the flag staff, which is located after the gopuram in the second precinct. The shrine of Ambal is south facing and she is sported in standing posture. There are shrines of Vinayagar, Murugan with Valli & Deivanai, Mahalakshmi and Vishnu Durgai. The images of Brahma, Lingodhbhavar and Dakshinamurthy are located in the planks around the sanctum. The sanctum is guarded by Dvarapalas and the image of sage Sathapatha is depicted in the nearby wall. In the halls in the first precinct, there are images of Sapthastana lingas and Panchabhoota lingas. There are small images of Brahma and Saraswathi near the sanctum.The temple is one of few places where there is a separate shrine for Brahma.

Festivals

Aani Thirumanjanam in the Tamil month of Aani (June-July), Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug), Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept),