Hara Saabha Vimochana Perumal Temple, Thirukkandiyur

Sthala Purāṇam

Thirukkandiyur, near Thiruvaiyaru, is celebrated as one of the rare kshetrams where the Hindu trinity, Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva, are enshrined together. Its sthala puranam, drawn from the Brahmanda Purana, recounts the redemption of Shiva from the grievous sin of Brahmahatya. Brahma and Shiva both bore five heads; when Parvati, confused by the resemblance, mistakenly worshipped Brahma, the proud Brahma kept silent, and the enraged Shiva plucked off one of Brahma's heads. By Brahma's curse the skull (kapala) stuck fast to Shiva's hand, and any food placed in it vanished, so that Shiva wandered as a beggar. At Thirukarambanur (Uttamar Kovil) Lakshmi filled the skull and relieved his hunger, but only at Thirukkandiyur, where Shiva worshipped Vishnu and the goddess and bathed in the temple tank, did the skull fall away when the Lord granted him darshan. Hence the Lord is named Hara Saabha Vimochana (reliever of Shiva's curse), with his consort as Kamalavalli (Hemambujavalli). The place is called Kandiyur because Brahma's curse was here warned or checked (kandanam), teaching that even the gods must bear the fruit of their deeds. The sacred tank became the Kapala (Kabaala Moksha) Theertham, and the temple's vimana is the Kamalakruti Vimanam. The shrine is glorified by Tirumangai Alvar.

Gallery

Tap an image to view it larger — use ‹ › to browse, ✕ to close. Images via Wikimedia Commons.

Plan your visit

📍 10.86000, 79.10833

Routes, distances, hotels and restaurants open in Google Maps with live data. Build a phased pilgrimage plan →