Sri Dharmasamvarthini Ambal, Sri Aiyarappar Swamy Temple, Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur

Sri Dharmasamvarthini Ambal, Sri Aiyarappar Swamy Temple, Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur

This temple is known as Dakshina Kailasam (Kailasa of the South). This is the place where Nandi (the divine bull of lord Shiva) was born and became the mount for Shiva. The divine wedding of Nandi and Suyasayambikai was held at Thirumazhapadi Vaidyanathaswamy temple in Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu. This is celebrated as Saptha Stanam festival which includes seven Shiva temples of the region

The presiding deity is named Aiyarappar or Panchanadeeswarar as the place has five rivers. In Tamil, ai means five, aru means river signifying the name. The Five Rivers are Vadavaru, Vennaaru, Vettaaru, Kudamuruttiyaaru and Kaaviriyaaru. As per Hindu legend, once a devout devotee of Shiva who was also the priest in the temple could not return to the temple on time as he was out to Kashi on a pilgrimage. 

On account of the delay, the priest prayed to Shiva for his inability to perform the days worship practices. When he returned the next day to the temple, people were astonished as they realized that Shiva descended in the form of the priest the previous day. 

It is place where Appar, the famous Saivite saint is believed to have obtained the vision of Kailasa.