275 Thevara Shivasthalam !! Thirukkandiyur - Sri Brahma Shira Kandeeshwarar Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!



Jai Shiv Shankar !!





Thirukkandiyur is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of Lord Shiva situated on the southern banks of River Cauvery, (confluences of River Vadavar,Vennar, Vettar and Kudamurutti) located in a village called Thirukandiyur in Thanjavur , Tamil Nadu. 

This temple also enshrines Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswathy, Shrine for Lord Subramanya.  In this temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of self- manifested Linga, also known as one of the Sapthasthanas of Lord Shiva.  The other Sapthasthanas are Thiruppanthuruthi, Thirupazhanam,Thiruvedhikudi, Thillaisthanam and Thiruchotruthurai.

Presiding deity –  Moolavar - Sri Veerattaneshwarar/Brahma Sira Kandeshwarar, Utsavar – Sri Somaskandhar with his consort Goddess Mangala Nayaki/Mangalambikai

Theertham – Kapala Theertham, Daksha Theertham, Brahma Theertham, Pathal Ganga, Nandi Theertham

Sthalavruksham – Vilvam (Bael)

Mangalasasanam – Appar and Sambandhar sung praising the glories of Lord Shiva.  Saint Arunagirinathar also sung praising the glories of Lord Subramanya in this temple.

Festivals – Maha Shivaratri, Arudra Darisanam

Sannidhis – Lord Ganehsa, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Brahma, Goddess Saraswathy, Lord Karthikeya with Goddess Valli and Deivayanai, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Lord Nataraja, Goddess Vishnu Durga, Lord Bhairava, Lord Ardha Nareeshwara and the different images of Lord Ganesha, Lord Chandeshwar, Lingodbhavar, Lord Dakshinamurthy, Lord Bhikshadaneshwar, Lord Surya with his consorts, Pancha Bootha Lingas, Sapthasthana Lingas

The legend has that Lord Shiva plucked one of the five heads of Lord Brahma which represents five elements of the Nature, as a result Lord Shiva was afflicted with Brahmahathi sin.  Due to the curse, Lord Shiva lost his glories, he underwent severe penance and visited temples of Lord Vishnu to get rid of the sin.  Lord Shiva arrived at Karambanur, visited Lord Purushothamar and Goddess Poornavalli Thayar’s Temple. The most compassionate Goddess Poornavalli Thayar served with food to Lord Shiva and the curse was removed partially, thus his persistent hunger was removed.  But Lord Brahma’s skull remains stuck on Lord Shiva’s hand. At the divine instruction of Lord Purushothamar, Lord Shiva arrived in Thirukkandiyur.  Lord Shiva worshipped Lord Kamalanathar and entirely eradicated from the sin of Brahmahathya. 

This temple remains open from 7.00 AM to 11.00 AM in the morning and 4.00PM to 7.00PM in the evenings.
 Jai Shiv Shankar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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