| Description:
Known as Dakshina Kailasam, this is a Saivite shrine of great significance, It is a
vast temple with 5 prakarams, and several mandapams and sculptural work. Somaskandar
(Olokamaveedivitankar) here is of importance. The town of Tiruvaiyaru is known more for
the samadhi of one of the foremost composers in the Karnatic Music idiom, Saint Tyagaraja.
The Saptastana temples of Tiruvaiyaru are Tiruppazhanam,
Tiruchottruturai, Tiruvedikkudi,
Tirukkandiyur, Tiruppanturai Tillaistanam and Tiruvaiyaru.
Tiruvaiyaru is considered to be the 51st in the series of Tevara
Stalams in the Chola kingdom located north of the river Kaveri. Legends:
A devotee by name Sucharitan was redeemed from untimely death by Shiva in the form of a
column of light (similar to the Markandeya legend of Tirukkadavur&Vaikavur). . Agasthyar is said to have obtained his dwarfed
physical stature here. Ambal is said to have worshipped Shiva with 2 measures of grains
History: .There are several inscriptions here relating the
temple to Cholas, Pandyas, Krishna Devarayar and other rulers. Karikal Chola, Rajaraja
Cholan & Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan are associated with Tiruvaiyaru. Uttarakailasam
was built by Rajaraja Cholans wife (late 10th cent) who made several endowments .
Dakshinakailasam was renovated by Rajendra Cholan's wife.Appar was closely associated with
this shrine, and on his trek to Kailasam, divine intervention is said to have miraculously
transported him to Tiruvaiyaru the equivalent of Kailasam. This incident is celebrated in
the month of Aadi - New Moon. The river Kaveri in spate is said to have parted to
allow Sundarar to walk across to Tiruvaiyaru.
Architecture: This grand temple with five prakarams and a 7
tiered Rajagopuram covers a 15 acrea area. Somaskandar (Ologamaaaveedivitankar) is housed
in a separate shrine in the 2nd prakaram, adjacent to the Japesa Mandapam (Kukti
Mandapam). The Sivayoga Dakshinamurthy shrine is also og great significance here. The
shrine to Ambal Darmasamvardhini Amman, has two prakarams by itself. . The outer prakaram
houses the Dakshinakailasam, and the Uttara Kailasam. . To denote the primordial nature of
Sound - Nada Bhrammam, there are spots in this temple designed to produce echos. The
Shivalingam here resembles that at Tiruvarur.
Festivals: Six worship services are offered each day. Aiyarappar is
taken to the Kaveri river on new moon days in every month. The Tirukkalyanam of Nandi is
celebrated in the month of Pankuni at Tirumazhapadi. The annual Bhrammotsavam is
celebrated in the month of Chittirai, where the 5th day Saptastana Utsavam where
Shiva is taken in processionin a glass palanquin to the 7 Stanams of Tiruvaiyaru in the
month of Aries - Full Moon is of great significance in this area.The float festival is
celebratedon Aavani Moolam, while the Appar festival is celebrated in the month of Aadi.
Templenet acknowledges reader Mohan (Ramakrishnan) of Thane Maharashtra, for
contributing the image shown above. |
