The Temple Where Five Rivers Meet

Muskaan Gupta

The Temple Where Five Rivers Meet

Tiruvaiyaru, a quaint town in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, houses an ancient Hindu sanctuary - the Aiyarappar Temple. Devoted to Lord Shiva, its origins are traced back to the 9th-10th centuries CE. Revered as the Dakshina Kailasham (southern Kailashi), this temple holds a place of profound sanctity among the sacred sites of Tamil Nadu.

The Aiyarappar Temple I Source: Wikipedia

The Aiyarappar Temple in Tiruvaiyaru, a charming town in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, is more than just a historical Hindu temple; it stands as a vibrant embodiment of South India's rich cultural and religious traditions. Stepping through its grand gopuram entrance tower, visitors are transported to an era of intricate carvings, devotional music, and mythological narratives. The Aiyarappar Temple, a significant pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Shiva, not only showcases the splendour of Dravidian architecture but also serves as a tangible testament to the enduring power of faith and tradition.

As the legend goes, the temple holds a special place in the heart of Appar, a renowned Shaivite saint, who had a divine vision of Kailasa here. He even composed a song in Thevaram dedicated to this sacred site. The temple's central deity is known as Aiyarappar or Panchanadeeswarar due to its location amidst five rivers - Arisilaaru, Vennaaru, Vettaaru, Kudamuruttiyaaru, and Kaaviriyaaru. The name derives from the Tamil words "ai" for five and "aru" for river. According to Hindu mythology, a dedicated priest serving the temple was delayed during a pilgrimage to Kashi. Upon his return, it was revealed that it was Lord Shiva himself who had embodied the priest the previous day, performing abhisheka to the deity.

The temple boasts a rich history intertwined with the Cholas, Pandyas, and Vijayanagara emperors. It is divided into two halves: Uttarakailasam and Dakshinakailasam. Uttarakailasam was established in the late 10th century by the queen of Rajaraja Cholan, who made significant contributions. Dakshinakailasam was later renovated by the queen of Rajendra Cholan.

Various inscriptions within the temple confirm its historical ties to the mentioned dynasties. Notably, an inscription on the south wall, dated to the 21st regnal year of Rajaraja I, documents land transactions. Another inscription from the king's 24th year details precious jewels offered to the deities. Rajendra I's fourth regnal year is marked by a record of land grants. A significant inscription from Rajadhiraja I's thirty-second year recounts the king's victories over three Pandya monarchs.

The temple complex features a Homa Kund, established by the revered saint Adi Sankara. In addition to its connection to the five rivers in its name, the temple also houses five water bodies: Surya Pushkarani, Ganga Theertham, Chandra Pushkarani, Palaru, and Nandi Theertham.

The temple is renowned for its intricate architecture, adorned with detailed carvings and sculptures narrating stories from Hindu mythology. Encompassing an area of approximately 60,000 square metres, it stands as one of Tamil Nadu's largest temples. Within the complex, one finds five prakarams, four gopurams, and numerous mandapams. The masonry work, including the soaring gopuram gateways, is a blend of Chola dynasty foundations and later enhancements up to the Thanjavur Nayaks in the sixteenth century. The temple, facing east, welcomes visitors with a seven-tiered pyramidal raja gopuram. The sanctum sanctorum houses the lingam-form deity, while the adjoining ardhamandapa mirrors its width and is twice its length. The Mukhamandapa is equally square. The sanctum's exterior is adorned with five devakoshtas, with the only remaining images being those of Dakshinamurthy and Brahma. Two colossal Dvarapala guardian deities stand sentinel on either side of the ardhamandapa entrance.

Another widely held belief is that the area behind the shrine is covered with Lord Shiva's long, thick locks. As a consequence, circumambulation is not allowed within the temple because a devotee cannot afford to step on the Lord's Jatamudi.

In conclusion, the Aiyarappar Temple stands as an awe-inspiring showcase of Dravidian architecture, steeped in history and legend. Beyond Lord Aiyarappar's sanctum, the complex boasts several other shrines. With its captivating carvings, architectural mastery, and sacred ambience, it offers a profound spiritual experience. Today, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu is entrusted with the preservation and management of this revered abode of Lord Shiva.

Over time, the Aiyarappar Temple has evolved into a vital pilgrimage destination for Lord Shiva's devotees. The annual Saptha Stanam festival, featuring seven Shiva temples in the region, draws considerable attention. Celebrated in April, this festival commemorates the wedding of Nandikeswara, Shiva's celestial bull. According to belief, Nandi was born at this temple and became Shiva's mount. The sacred union of Nandi and Suyasayambikai is celebrated during this festival. The festival deity of Thiruvaiyaru's Aiyarappar temple, along with Nandikeswara and Suyasayambikai, is paraded in a decorated glass palanquin to temples in Thirupazhanam, Thiruchottruthurai, Thiruvedhikudi, Thirukandiyur, and Thirupoonthurthi. The journey concludes at the Aiyarappar shrine in Thiruvaiyyaru, where the seven palanquins converge. The Poochorithal (flower festival) involves devotees offering flowers to the primary deities in palanquins.