Thiruviyaru
Thiruviyaru Kshetra got its name because there are five rivers namely Kaveri, Kudamuruti, Vennaru, Vettaru, and Vadavaru flow through this place. Iy means five and aarru means river in Tamil, hence the name Thiruviyaru. This place is very popular among lovers of Carnatic music since it is in this kshetra that Saint Thyagaraja spent most of the time and obtained moksha. Saint Thyagaraja is devoted to Lord Rama and many of his compositions are in praise of Lord Rama, and it said that he had been graced by the darshan of the Lord himself. Every year on the Bagula Panchami day the saint's aradhana day is observed and the entire leading musician finds it a privilege to participate in the function and sing the Pancharathna kriti in front of the samadhi of this great saint. It is almost a pilgrimage for all the music lovers to this place during this time.
Thiruviyaru is thirteen kilometers north of Thanjavur, and 33 kilometers west of Kumbakonam and can be reached by bus or car.
Iyyarappan temple
The main temple of this kshetra is that of Lord Siva presiding over as Iyyarappan (Tamil name)
or Panchanathiswar (Sanskrit name) and the Sakthi is known by the name Dharmasamvarthini. The temple
built during the Cholas period is very huge. There are many Nayanmargals who have sung in praise of
this Lord. Lord is Swayambhu and is of mud, hence there is no abishekam for the Lord.
From the southwest corner of the third prakaram if you spell 'Iyaara' you will be astonished to
hear the same echoing seven times.
Uniqueness of Dharmasamvarthini temple
As in the case of other Siva temples the sannidhi for the Ambal is not in the same compound. Ambal of this kshetra is Dharmasamvarthini and Her sannidhi is in a separate compound abetting the main temple hence known as Dharmasamvarthini temple. Another unique point to note is that while in all the Siva temples the Ambal is seen facing Southwards here in this kshetra she is seen facing eastwards.
From the uniqueness of the present Dharmasamvarthini (Dharmambal) temple and the difference in the construction style and the materials used with that of the Iyearrapan temple, it is said that Dharmasamvarthini Sannathi was shifted to the present place. Goddess Dharmambal is worshiped as a Vishnu amsa since she holds changu and chakram in her two upper hands.
When Thanjavur was under Maratha rule, then queen the name Mohanambal fell in love with the striking beauty of Sri Rama and his parivara, of this Sri Rama temple. She decided to shift this temple to the new town on the southern bank of Kaveri named after her as 'Panchanatha Mohanambal puram'.
Sri Rama Temple
It is said that the Sri Rama temple was in existence at this place where the present Dharmasamvarthini temple is in existence. A small temple for Sri Anjaneya facing the Lord, in the middle of the Agraharam opposite this temple is the testimony to this claim. When Thanjavur was under Maratha rule, then queen the name Mohanambal fell in love with the striking beauty of Sri Rama and his parivara, of this Sri Rama temple. She decided to shift this temple to the new town on the southern bank of Kaveri named after her as 'Panchanatha mohanambal puram'.
Pratapah Simhan and Tulaja II
Thanjavur was under the rule of Maratha king Sri Pratapah Simha during the period 1739-1763, subsequently by his son Sri Tulaja II. The capital town of Thanjavur was expanding and Pratapah Simha had then taken up the development of the town in a systematic way. During his regime, he built temples and chatrams (wayside rest houses). Sri Sethu Bhawa Swami was his Guru. He is instrumental in establishing the Moolai Anjaneyar temple in Thanjavur the capital town of Sri Pratapah Simha. It is said that Sri Sethu Bhawa Swami was living in Thiruviyaru, near Iyarappan temple. The street where the Guruji was staying had been named after him as "Bawa Swami Agraharam". The street is opposite the Dharmasamvarthini temple. Though it is not known for sure who built the Sri Rama temple, the Bhawa Swami Agraharam and the temple for Sri Veera Anjaneya even now exist.
Sri Veera Anjaneya Temple
The Veera Anjaneya temple in the Bhawa Swami Agraharam faces northwest direction, known as
Vayu moolai, and is represented by the wind God Vayu. Sri Anjaneya son of Vayu is
seen welcoming His father. In front of the main sannidhi, there is a mandapam, which is
known as navagraha mandapam. The arrangement of the mandapam is done in the same style
as the case of the positioning of navagrahas. Devotee can offer his prayer standing below the
position of his rasiathipati. There is a Bali peedam and a kodi maram (flag post)
in front of the main sanctum sanatoriums. The Kodi maram is covered and there are embossings of
Sri Rama Parivar and Sri Anjaneya on each side. Unlike in other temples, there is "naga"
installed on all three sides of the main temple known as gosta pirai. Another unusual feature
is deer is installed in the top corners of the temple as dik-palkas.
Sri Veera Anjaneya
The lord stands on a pedestal in the sanctum and can be seen from any corner of the navagraha mandapam. The idol had been brought from the banks of river Thungabhadra and is made out of a green stone. The Lord here is seen giving Abhaya to the devotees through His right hand, while the left hand is seen resting on his left thigh and holding an arrow. His hip adores a small knife. His eyes are directly glancing at the devotees and bestowing his ever-loving kadaksham on the devotee.
Location of the temple: "Sri Anjaneya temple, Bavasamy Agraharam, tiruviyaru"
Experience
Many devotees benefited from jobs, children, and marriages by worshipping the Lord. A visit to the temple and darshan of the Lord is sure to bring peace of mind to our lives.
SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE
Ed [June 2007]
Updates: [Jan 2025]