The Saptastana Temples (Vivaha Sapthasthanam) are the 7 shrines dedicated to
Lord Shiva, near
Tiruvaiyaru in
Thanjavur District. The shrines are at
Tiruppazhanam, Tiruchottruturai, Tiruvedikkudi, Tirukkandiyur, Tiruppanturai, Tillaistanam and Tiruvaiyaru. These are significant centres of
Shaivite worship.
Myth is that Nandhi Dhevar, the son of Siladha Maharshi, was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He got the name of the Lord itself as Namdhi, meaning ‘Birth and Deathless’. Shiva himself arranged his marriage with a girl Svayam Prakashai. For the seven steps of the marriage the Lord took them to the seven abodes, which were later known as Saptastana Temples (Sapthasthanam).
It is believed that in the Vishaka star of the month Chithtrai (mid April-mid May), the Lord of Tiruvaiyaru comes around on the glass palanquin to these holy temples. The festival of this visit is celebrated in the same time.
[Source all india (80) 29-Mar-05]
