Apathsahayar Temple Thirupazhanam

Getting there

• By air

  Tiruchirapalli airport is about 56 km from Tiruvaiyaru, which is 2 km from the temple.

• By train

  The nearest stations are Thanjavur, 13 km from Tiruvaiyaru, and Ariyalur, 30 km away.

• By road

  The temple is 31 km from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam-Tiruvaiyaru-Tanjore road. A direct bus runs from Thanjavur, 11 km from Tiruvaiyaru.

Why devotees come here

Apathsahayar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva at Thirupazhanam, near Tiruvaiyaru in Tamil Nadu. It is counted as the earliest of all Chola temples. It is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams, and it is one of the largest temple complexes in the state.

Legend says Appar prayed to Apathsahayar, the presiding deity of the temple. The deity was pleased by his devotion, and the boy was brought back to life. The presiding deity is praised in the Tevaram, a 7th century Tamil Saiva work. The Tevaram was written by poet-saints known as the nayanars. The temple is classified as one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams.

The temple is counted as the earliest of all Chola temples. Its oldest parts were built in the 9th century during the Chola dynasty. Later expansions, including the towering gopuram gatehouses, run up to the Thanjavur Nayaks in the 16th century. The temple complex is one of the largest in the state.

It has four gateway towers, called gopurams, and three precincts. It houses many halls. The second precinct was built in the Vijayanagar period and has many sculptures. The temple has numerous shrines. The two most prominent are those of Apathshayar and Periyanayagi.

Festivals

• February or MarchMahashivaratri

  The major festival celebrated in the temple.

• Tamil month of AippasiAippasi Annabhishekam

  Another major festival celebrated in the temple.

• AprilSapthasthanam festival

  Held at Tiruvaiyaru every year. The Thillaisthanam idol joins the procession after a fireworks display on the Cauvery riverbed.

Tips for your visit

• The Sapthasthanam procession is held in Tiruvaiyaru, not inside this temple, so go to the town in April.
• Confirm opening hours at the temple before you set out, since this page has no current timings.

Questions people ask