Saptha Stana Temples are a group of seven temples. In Tamil Nadu, India, such groups of temples are found in many places, particularly in and around Thanjavur District.
Tiruvaiyaru Saptha Stana Temples | |
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The seven important temples in and around Thiruvaiyaru | |
Temple | Location |
Aiyarappar temple | Thiruvaiyaru |
Apathsahayar Temple | Thirupazhanam |
Odhanavaneswarar Temple | Tiruchotruturai |
Vedapuriswarar Temple | Thiruvedhikudi |
Kandeeswarar Temple | Thirukkandiyur |
Puvananathar Temple | Thirupanturuthi |
Neyyadiappar Temple | Tillaistanam |
Saptha + Stana means seven sacred places. The temples found in these places are known as Saptha Stana Temples.
Having Tiruvaiyaru as the primary temple, seven temples belonging to seven places are also referred as the ashramas of seven Munipunkavars (Saptarishi). These rishis are Agastya, Atri, Bhardwaja, Gautam, Jamadagni, Vashistha and Vishvamitra. They set up ashrams in Aiyarappar temple, Apathsahayar Temple, Odhanavaneswarar Temple, Vedapuriswarar Temple, Kandeeswarar Temple, Puvananathar Temple and Neyyadiappar Temple. Ayyarappa, the main deity of Thiruvaiyaru took with them Nandhidevar-Suyasambikai to these seven ashrams in order to get the blessings of the rishis. [1]
Just before the festival wedding festival of Nandikeswara took place. Nandikeswara was the son of Silakitha Munivar. In order to get married off him to Suyasambikai of Tirumazhapadi, Ayyarappar along with His consort go to Tirumazhapadi on a glass palanquin. On that night itself Ayyarappar along with newly wedded couples crosses Kollidam and reaches Thiruvaiyaru. [2]
In the decorated palanquin Ayyarappar along with His consort will leave Thiruvaiyaru and go to the other six connected temples during the festival of Saptha Stana. At that time, the palanquins of the respective temples will join with the Ayyarappar Palanquin. [2] This festival is conducted at Tiruvaiyaru during April every year. As per Hindu legend, it is the wedding festival of Nandikeswara, the sacred bull of Shiva on the Punarpoosa star during the Tamil month of Panguni. [3] The festival deity of Aiyarappar temple of Thiruvaiyaru is carried in a decorated glass palanquin along with the images of Nandikeswara and Suyasayambikai to the temples in Thirupazhanam, Thiruchottruthurai, Thiruvedhikudi, Thirukandiyur and Thirupoonthurthi. Each of the festival deities of the respective temples mounted in glass palanquins accompany Aiyarppar on the way to the final destiny, Thillaistanam. There is a grand display of fireworks in Cauvery riverbed outside Thillaistanam temple. The seven palanquins are carried to Aiyarappar temple in Thiruvaiyyaru. Hundreds of people witness the convergence of seven glass palanquins carrying principal deities of respective temples from seven places at Tiruvaiyaru. The devotees perform Poochorithal (flower festival) in which a doll offers flowers to the principal deities in the palanquins. After the Poochorithal, the palanquins leave for their respective temples. [4] [5]
There are other Saptha Stana Temples in and around Thanjavur district. They are known as Chakkarapalli Saptha Stana Temples, Mayiladuthurai Saptha Stana Temples, Kumbakonam Saptha Stana Temples, Karanthai (near Thanjavur) Saptha Stana Temples, Tirunallur Saptha Stana Temples, Tiruneelakkudi Saptha Stana Temples, Kanjanur Saptha Stana Temples and Nagapattinam Saptha Stana Temples. [6] As the palanquin of the Kumbeswara Temple was in a damaged condition the festival did not take place for some time. Later the trial run was held on 7 February 2016 [7] Following the Tirttavari in Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam during 2016 Mahamaham the festival was held on 23 April 2016. [8] It is learnt that the Karanthanttankudi festival was not held for some years.
Thiruvaiyaru is a panchayat town in Thanjavur District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
The Swaminatha Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to god Murugan. It is located in Swamimalai, 5 km from Kumbakonam, on the banks of a tributary of river Kaveri in Thanjavur District, 290 km from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is fourth abode of Murugan among six (Arupadaiveedugal). The shrine of the presiding deity, Swaminathaswamy is located atop a 60 ft (18 m) hillock and the shrine of his mother Meenakshi (Parvati) and father Shiva (Sundareswarar) is located downhill. The temple has three gopuram, three precincts and sixty steps and each one is named after the sixty Tamil years. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and three yearly festivals on its calendar. The annual Vaikasi Visagam festival is attended by thousands of devotees from far and near.
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in the town of Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Adi Kumbeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Mangalambigai Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical, greatest work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Neyyadiappar Temple, Tillaistanam is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the village of Thillaisthanam also known as Tillaisthanam or Thiruneithanam in Tamil Nadu, India. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Shaivism as one of the Saptasthanam, the seven temples associated with Aiyarappar temple in Thiruvaiyaru. Shiva is represented by the lingam in the form of Neyyadiappar. His consort Parvati is depicted as Piraisoodi Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Shaiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Kandeeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple 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.
Aiyarappar is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the village of Tiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Aiyarappar, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as AramValarthaNaayagi. 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.
Pushpavananathar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the village of Tiruppoonturutti near Tiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Aiyarappar, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Soundaranayagi. 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.
Odhanavaneswarar Temple, Tiruchotruturai is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in the village of Tiruchotruthurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The Five Rivers are Vadavaru, Vennaaru, Vettaaru, Kudamuruttiyaaru and Kaaviriyaaru. Shiva is worshiped as Odhanavaneswarar, and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Annapoorani. 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.
Vedapuriswarar Temple, Thiruvedhikudi or Vazhaimadunathar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thiruvedhikudi near Tiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India. 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. The temple is counted as the earliest of all Chola temples.
Apathsahayar Temple, Thirupazhanam is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thirupazhanam near Tiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, India. 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. The temple is counted as the earliest of all Chola temples.
Amirthakadeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located at Sakkottai in Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. Shiva is worshiped as Amirthakadeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Amirthavalli Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Kodeeswarar Temple(Tamil: :கொட்டையூர் கோடீஸ்வரர் கோயில்) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Kottaiyur, a village on the western outskirts of Kumbakonam, in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Koteeswarar and His consort Parvathi as Pandhadu Nayaki. Lord Koteeswarar is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical and greatest work, Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, the 275 temples revered in the canon.
Ekambeswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.
Sri Mariamman Temple, is situated at Valangaiman in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is found in Kumbakonam-Needamangalam road, at a distance of 9 km from Kumbakonam.
Kapardeeswarar temple is a Hindu temple situated in the village of Thiruvalanchuzhi near Swamimalai in Kumbakonam taluk of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshiped as Kapardeeswarar and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Brihannayagi. 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.
2016 Mahamaham is a recurring festival most recently celebrated at Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India from 13 February 2016 to 22 February 2016. Mahamaham, also known as Mahamagham or Mamangam, is a Hindu festival celebrated every 12 years in the Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam.
Sodasa Linga Mandapas are Hindu temples dedicated to the deity Shiva, the mandapas or temples found around the Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.
Potramarai Tank is situated at Kumbakonam in the Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.
Avudainathar Temple is a Shiva Temple in Darasuram, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. மூலவர் ஆத்மநாதர் இலிங்க வடிவில் காட்சி தருகிறார்.
Kailasanathar Temple is a Shiva located at Melakaveri near Kumbakonam, in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.