Kandiyur Hara Shaapa Vimochana Perumal Temple

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Site Name: Hara Shaapa Vimochana Perumal temple  
Site Type: Hindu Temple
Location:  Kandiyur, 11 kms from Tiruvaiyaru, near Tanjore city, Tamil Nadu state, India
Highlights: One of the most important Vaishnaivite temples; one of 108 Divya Desam temples
Nearest Railway Station: Tanjore
Nearest Airport: Trichy
How to reach: Well connected by road from Tiruvaiyaru or Tanjore; public transport is not dependable
Hotel: No good hotels nearby; better to stay in Tanjore
Restaurants: No good restaurants nearby; it is better to go to Tiruvaiyaru or Tanjore

Kandiyur aka Tirukkandiyur is a small village near Tanjore town in South India. There are two important Hindu temples located in this village. Hara Shaapa Vimochana Perumal Temple is one among those two main temples. 

Highlights:
  • Tirumangai Alwar has sung about this site in his verses.
  • It is considered as the 11th Divya Desam temple. It is located in Chola region.
  • God - Hara Shaapa Vimochana Perumal aka Balinathar; Utsava deity - Kamalanathan
  • Goddess - Kamalavalli aka Poornavalli
  • Teerth (holy water) - Kabala Moksha Pushkarini
  • Vimana - Kamalakruthi Vimana

Legend:

As per the legend, Lord Brahma originally had five heads similar to Lord Shiva. He developed proud due to this and claimed that he was equivalent to Shiva. Shiva got furious and plucked the center head of Brahma. He got Brahmahatti dosha and the head got struck to his finger. He went on pilgrimage and begged using skull as the vessel. He ultimately came to this site and got rid of his curse; the skull also fell here; Lord Vishnu gave darshan to Shiva. As Shiva got rid of his curse due to Vishnu, he is named as 'Hara Shaapa Vimochana Perumal' ('Shaapa' means curse and 'Hara' means Shiva).

It is believed that Mahabali constructed this temple originally.

Temple Layout:

The temple has east facing three-tiered tower and two prakaras. The sanctum sanctorum has Lord Vishnu named as Hara Shaapa Vimochana Perumal in the standing posture. He has his consorts Sree Devi and Bhoo Devi at his either sides. The processional (utsava) idols Kamalanathan and his consorts are also kept in the sanctorum.

The sub-shrine of Garuda, bali peetha and flag staff are found facing the sanctorum.

The Goddess Kamalavalli Nachiar is found in a separate shrine in the prakara. 

There are sub-shrines for Narasimha, Sudarshana, Andal and Hanuman in this temple.

The village got its name due to Shiva temple named Kandeeswarar. A big Brahma idol is found in the Shiva temple. As this village has the idols of trinity - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, it is also called as Mummoorti Sthalam. 

The temple located between Kudamurutti and Vennar rivers has the holy tank Kapala Moksha Pushkarini on its western side. Opposite to the temple, Padma Teerth aka Mahabali Teerth is located. 

Happy travelling.



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Location: Thirukkandiyur, Tamil Nadu, India

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