Tiruvaiyaru Temple is the 51st in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located north of the river Kaveri.
Legends: A devotee, Sucharitan was saved from untimely death by Shiva in the form of a column of light. Agasthyar obtained his dwarfed physical stature here. Ambal worshipped Shiva here with two measures of grains.
History:
There are several inscriptions from the Cholas, Pandyas, Krishna Devarayar and other rulers. Uttara kailasam was built by Rajaraja Cholan`s wife. Dakshinakailasam was also renovated by her. Appar on his trek to Kailasam, with divine intervention was miraculously transported to Tiruvaiyaru. This took place and is celebrated in the month of Aadi – New Moon. The river Kaveri was in spate and parted to allow Sundarar to walk across to Tiruvaiyaru.
Architecture:
This temple has five prakarams and a seven-tiered Rajagopuram. It covers an area of 15 acres. Somaskandar (Ologamaaaveedivitankar) has his own shrine in the second prakaram, adjacent to the Japesa Mandapam (Kukti Mandapam). The Sivayoga Dakshinamurthy shrine is important here. The shrine to Ambal Darmasamvardhini Amman has two prakarams of its own. The outer prakaram has the Dakshinakailasam, and the Uttara Kailasam. To denote the primordial nature of Sound – Nada Brahmam, there are spots, which produce echoes.
Festivals:
The Tirukkalyanam of Nandi is celebrated in the month of Pankuni at Tirumazhapadi. The annual Brahmmotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai. The float festival is celebrated on Aavani Moolam, while the Appar festival is celebrated in the month of Aadi.
