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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Thiruvaikavur, Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Tiruvaikavur Temple
| image = Thiruvaikavur (11).jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in Tamil Nadu
| coordinates = {{coord|10.9942|N|79.2864|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Thanjavur district|Thanjavur]]
| location = Tiruvaigavur
| elevation_m = 51.89
| deity = Vilvavaneswarar<br>(Vaikaavappar)<br>([[Shiva]])
Valaikkai Nayaki<br>(Sarvajana Rakshaki)<br>([[Parvati]])
| facade_direction =
| temple_tank = Yama Theertham
| tower =
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website =
}}

'''Vilwavaneswarar Temple''' (also called '''Tiruvaikavur Temple''' or '''Thiruvaikavur Temple''') is a [[Hindu]] temple dedicated to [[Shiva]] located in Thiruvaikavur, [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]].<ref>''Census of India, 1961, Volume 7; Volume 9''</ref> The temple is located {{convert|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of [[Kumbakonam]], on the southern bank of [[Kollidam]]. Constructed in the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian style of architecture]], the temple is believed to have been built during the [[Cholas]] period in the 7th century. Shiva is worshipped as Vilwaneswarar and his consort [[Parvati]] as Valaikai Nayagi.

The presiding [[Hindu deities|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]]''. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a five-tiered [[Rajagopuram]], the gateway tower.

The temple is open from 6am - 1 pm and 4-8:30 pm on all days. Four daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Vaikasi Visagam, Adipooram and Navarathri uthsavam, Annabishekam and Theerthavari are some of the prominent festivals celebrated. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].

==Legend==
[[File:Thiruvaikavur (10).jpg|left|250px|thumb|Legend of the temple]]
A saint named Thavanithi was performing his worship in the temple. A deer chased by a hunter held the aegis of the saint. The saint took the form of a tiger to frighten the hunter. The hunter out of fear climbed the [[Aegle marmelos|Vilva tree]] in the temple, waiting for the tiger to relent. The tiger was relentless and the hunter in an effort to keep him awake all night spilled vilva leaves one by one the whole night. Incidentally the vilva leaves fell on a [[Shivalinga (2016 film)|Shiva Lingam]], under the tree. Since the day was [[Maha Shivaratri]], the hunter got the blessings of Shiva as a result. The next day was to be the last day of the hunter. [[Yama]], the death god approached the hunter to take away his soul. [[Dakshinamoorthy|Dakshinamurthy]] (Guru) with his [[trishula]] (trident) and [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]] were driving Yama out of the temple. Shiva was unhappy about Nandi and just to avoid Shiva's wrath Nandi faces the temple entrance. It is also believed that [[Vishnu]] performed his penance here to overcome the curse of a chaste woman - the Shiva here is called Ariyeesar hence. [[Brahma]] and [[Agni]] held theertham here to worship Shiva here. The attributes of both Brahma and Agni was enhanced as a result. [[Saptamartrikas]] worshipped Shiva here by having a holy dip in ''Yama theertham'', the temple tank here to regain the ''Ashtamasiddhi ''(powers) lost on account of a curse from the sage Uttala. Shiva and [[Parvati]] appeared here in the northern banks of [[Cauvery]] and [[Bhuma Devi]] is believed to have worshiped Shiva and the place is called Bhooomipuram hence. Shiva rescued the life of a child who was killed by a thief for his jewels on a ''Shivaratri'' and attained the name Makavaruleeswarar.<ref name=R>{{cite book|title=An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam|last=R.|first=Dr. Vijayalakshmy|publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies| location=Chennai|year=2001|edition=1st|pages=426–7}}</ref>

During the great deluge, the land was supposed to be destroyed and the world worshipped Shiva, who rose in the form of ''Vilva'' tree to save the land. The presiding deity obtained the name Vilvavanehswarar hence.<ref>''Concise classified dictionary of Hinduism ''.Kodayanallur Vanamamalai Soundara Rajan</ref> The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the northern banks of [[River Kaveri]].<ref name=Ka>{{cite book|title=River cauvery the most battl(r)ed|last=Ka. Vi.|first=Kannan|page=43|publisher=Notion Press|year=2019|isbn=9781684666041|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4CGFDwAAQBAJ&q=thiruvavaduthurai}}</ref>

==Architecture==
Vilwaneswarar temple is dedicated to [[Shiva]] and is located in Thiruvaikavur, a village in the [[South India]]n state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. The nearest railway station is in [[Kumbakonam]], about 8 kilometres from the place. The nearest airport is in [[Trichy]]. The temple has a 3-tier Raja[[gopuram]] and an outer ''[[prakaram]]''(closed precincts of a temple). The sanctum of Sakshinatheswarar is in the second precinct and the shrine of Amman is located perpendicular to the Swami shrine. The shrine is Nandi is located in front of Swami, with the Palipeeda and Dwajasthambam located right behind the Nandi. There is a Nataraja hall and a yagasalai. There are separate shrines for Natarajar, Somaskanda, Karpaga Vinayagar and Navagrahas. There are separate shrines for [[Nalvar]], [[Dakshinamurthy]], [[Ardhanarishvara|Arthanariswarar]], [[Mahalakshmi]], [[Arumugam]], [[Brahma]], [[Durga]] and [[Chandeshvara Nayanar|Chandikeswarar]]. There are four water bodies associated with the temple, with the Yama theertha located right in front of the temple.<ref name=dinamalar/> There is no form of life that does not fear death. The Yama ''theertha''(Temple tank named after Lord Yama) here reduces the fear of life. The [[Yama]] [[Theertham]] is one similar to the one present in Tiruneelivaneswarar temple in [[Trichy]]. Dakshinamurthy holding a ''soolam'' (trident). There are two image of [[Chandeshvara Nayanar|Chandikeswarar]] opposite to the shrine of [[Durga]]. The stucco image of the legend is sculpted in the entrance. There are images of other deities like [[Vishnu]], [[Narayani (deity)|Narayani]], [[Bhairava]], [[Surya]], [[Chandra]] and [[Shani]] located in the second precinct. The temple is revered by the verses of [[Sambandar|Tirugnana Sambandar]].<ref>''Tirujñān̲asambandhar: philosophy and religion''.P. S. Somasundaram</ref>

==Religious significance==
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| width1 = 5148 | height1 = 3456
| width2 = 5148 | height2 = 3456
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|image1=Thiruvaikavur (3).jpg
|image2=Thiruvaikavur (7).jpg
|footer=Sculptures and temple tank
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The temple finds mention in ''[[Tevaram]]'', the 7th century 12 volume Saiva canonical work by Tamil saints, namely [[Appar]], [[Sundarar]] and [[Campantar]]. It is one of the shrines of the 275 [[Paadal Petra Sthalams]] glorified in the Saiva canon. Sivarathiri is a famous occasion here and it garners a crowd of around 2 lakh people.<ref>''Festivals In Indian Society (2 Vols. Set)''. Usha Sharma</ref> The temple priests perform the ''[[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed four times a day; ''Kalasanthi'' at 6:00 a.m., ''Uchikalam'' at 12:00 a.m., ''Sayarakshai'' at 6:00 p.m, and ''Arthajamam'' at 9:00 p.m.. Each ritual comprises four steps: ''[[abhisheka]]'' (sacred bath), ''alangaram'' (decoration), ''[[Naivedhya|naivethanam]]'' (food offering) and ''deepa aradanai'' (waving of lamps) for Sivagurunathar and Aryambal. There are weekly rituals like ''{{lang|te-Latn|somavaram}}'' (Monday) and ''{{lang|te-Latn|sukravaram}}'' (Friday), fortnightly rituals like ''[[pradosha]]m'', and monthly festivals like ''[[amavasya|amavasai]]'' (new moon day), ''kiruthigai'', ''[[pournami (festival)|pournami]]'' (full moon day) and ''sathurthi''. Masi Maham during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil month]] of ''Maasi'' (February - March), Shivaratri in February- March and Panguni Uthiram during ''Panguni'' are the major festivals celebrated in the temple.<ref name=dinamalar>{{cite web|title=Sri Vilwanatheswarar temple temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=395|publisher=[[Dinamalar]]|year=2014|accessdate=24 November 2015}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|20em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Tiruvaikavur Temple}}
{{Hindu temples in Thanjavur District}}
{{Famous Shiva temples}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Shiva temples in Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Padal Petra Stalam]]

Vilwaneswarar Temple - Revision history

Effossy: New New Location - done