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Kandeeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva located in Kandiyur also known as Thirukkandiyur or Tirukkandiyur, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is situated between Kudamurutti and Vennar rivers, has got two prakarams (corridors around the temple). It has a three-tier Rajagopuram facing east. The major attraction of Thirukandiyur is the temple of Hara Sapavimochana Kandeswarar. The temple has a traditional South Indian style, with features of a spectacular three-tier architecture, with delighted entrance called 'Rajagopuram'. The deities are called Lord Hara Saba Vimochana Perumal.


History

The temple was built by Emperor Mahabali. This temple is an excellent specimen of Dravidian style of architecture. There is a beautiful pond called Kapaala Theertham situated on the western side of the temple. Just opposite to Padma Theertham. There are shrines for Goddess Kamalavalli, Lord Sudharsanar, Lord Narasimhar, Goddess Andal and the Azhwars in outer enclosure.
The place has the reputation of being honoured as Trimoorthy Sthalam. Since there is no temple for Lord Brahma, he can be seen in Kandeswarar temple gracing with Goddess Saraswathi. It is believed that devotees visiting the temple will be freed from all sins. The Brahmotsavam festival is being celebrated in Tamil Month of Panguni(March).
The legend behind the temple is that Lord Paramewara holds the fifth head of Lord Brahma and hence was cursed with Brhamahathi Dosham. The skull of Lord Brahma was stuck in the hand and could not get rid of it. As per the curse of LordParameshwara the skull has to be filled with way of alms. he went around asking for ‘bikshai’ ( begging for rice) and it never got filled. He approached Lord Vishnu and Goddess Mahalakshmi to help th skull to be filled the rice and with their blessings and was removed from the curse. As he went around asking for bikshai, He is called as ‘Pikshandavar’. However, the skull stuck to his hand did not fall off. Lord Narayana asked him to go to Thirukandiyur to completely get rid of the curse. Hence Lord Shiva went to Thiru Kandiyur to Kamala pushkarani and took a bath and got rid of the curse. This Pushkarani came to be known as Kabala theertham.

Main Deities of the temple

The shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, and idols of Saptha Vinayaka, Lord Muruga with consorts, Lord Nataraja, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Panchapootha Lingas, Lord Bairava, Lord Navagraha and Lord Chandikeswarar located in the corridors. A small idol of “Sri Vadugar” can be seen Lord Brahma shrine. Goddess Parvathi and Lord Dandapani are placed in the outer corridor. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Kali.

 

Salient Features of the temple


A big sized idol of Lord Brahma seated along with Goddess Saraswathi is in a separate shrine. This shrine is next to Lord Parameshwara sanctum. Lord Brahma is seen in a worshiping posture. He holds a right hand beeds and left hand holds the lotus flowers.
The idol of Lord Ardhanareeswarar looks very beautiful and it is quite unique. Normally, in other temples, Lord Ardhanareeswarar is seen in a standing posture but it is in a seated posture.
In the Navagraha, all other planets are facing Surya. The idol of Lord Surya with his consorts.
Saint Arunagirinadhar has sang songs(Thirupugazh) in the praise of Lord Muruga from bottom to top reversed order showing his capability and mastering of Thirupugazh.
The front hall (Mandapam) of this temple, where Lord Dandapani is housed, is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (“Voval Nethi Mandapam”). This looks very beautiful attraction.
On the top of second entrance, there are beautiful sculptures of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi placed in the Mount Kailash. Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswathi can be seen worshiping them.

The temple is a famous for Parihara Sthalam for getting rid of dhoshas of those inflicted with “Brahmahathi Dosham, Kalathira Dosham and Puthira Dosham”.
The aspicious festivals celebrated in this temple are 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), Kanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi, Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Shivrathri in the tamil month of Masi and Panguni Uthiram in the tamil month of Panguni, Thiru Karthikai in the tamil month of Karthikai, Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi.

 

Do:

  • Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
  • Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
  • Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
  • Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  • Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
  • Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
  • Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
  • Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
  • Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.


Don't s:

  • Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
  • Do not smoke at Temple.
  • Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
  • Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
  • Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
  • Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
  • Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
  • Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
  • Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
  • Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
  • Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
  • Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.