Aiyarappar Temple, Thiruvaiyaru - Paadal Petra Sthalam

Aiyarappar temple is 10 km from Thanjavur Thiruvaiyaru village, on the banks of the river Kaveri. The temple is incarnated by the hymns of Thevaram and is one of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams. Arisilaaru, Vennaaru, Vettaaru, Kudamuruttiaru and Kaveri are the five rivers flowing around the village which have earned the name of the same and also to the presiding deity. Thiruvaiyaru is associated with saint Thyagaraja, who along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri are considered as the trinity of Carnatic music. This is the place where Thyagaraja had composed thousands of carnatic hymns. Lord Shiva is called as Aiyarappar or Panchanadeeswarar, both carrying the same meaning of ‘Lord of 5 rivers’. This magnificent temple is with five outer walls and a 7 tiered main tower covers a 15 acre area. To symbolize the primeval nature of sound, there are spots in this temple designed to produce echos. The Shiva lingam here bears a resemblance to that of in Thiruvarur. Several inscriptions here affiliate the temple to the rulers of the Sangam era. The temple has two distinct divisions called 'Uttar Kailasam' and 'Dakshina Kailasam'. Both the premises were built by Rajaraja Cholan in the late 10th century who also made several endowments.