Saptha Stana Temples

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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.

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Tiruvaiyaru Saptha Stana Temples
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The seven important temples in and around Thiruvaiyaru
TempleLocation
Aiyarappar temple Thiruvaiyaru
Apathsahayar Temple Thirupazhanam
Odhanavaneswarar Temple Tiruchotruturai
Vedapuriswarar Temple Thiruvedhikudi
Kandeeswarar Temple Thirukkandiyur
Puvananathar Temple Thirupanturuthi
Neyyadiappar Temple Tillaistanam

Saptha Stana

Saptha + Stana means seven sacred places. The temples found in these places are known as Saptha Stana Temples.

Tiruvaiyaru 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]


Saptha Stana Temples

Nandikeswara Festival

Nandikeswara wedding Festival Tirumalapadi nandimarriage5.jpg
Nandikeswara wedding Festival

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]

Saptha Stana Festival

Poochorithal (flower festival) Bommai offer flowers in tiruvaiyaru.JPG
Poochorithal (flower festival)

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]

Other Saptha Stana Temples

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.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neyyadiappar Temple, Tillaistanam</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kandeeswarar Temple, Kandiyur</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aiyarappar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pushpavananathar Temple, Tiruppoonturutti</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Odhanavaneswarar Temple, Tiruchotruturai</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vedapuriswarar Temple, Thiruvedhikudi</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apathsahayar Temple, Thirupazhanam</span> Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva in Tamil Nadu, India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amirthakadeswarar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kodeeswarar Temple</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ekambeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam</span> Shiva temple in Tamil Nadu, India

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Mahamaham</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kailasanathar Temple, Melakaveri</span> Indian temple

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References

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