Tirtha Atlas

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Early medieval · Hindu · India

Brahma Sira Kandeeswarar Temple

திருக்கண்டியூர்

Thirukkandiyur, Tamil Nadu · 10.8618°, 79.1093°

Shiva (Kandeeswarar)Chola—Paadal Petra Sthalam
Sacred since
900 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
Chola era; Nayak & Maratha additions
Chola

History & significance

A Paadal Petra Sthalam near Thiruvaiyaru revered in the Tevaram and counted among the eight Ashta Veeratanam temples marking Shiva's heroic deeds — here the severing of Brahma's fifth head; unusually, the complex contains a separate shrine to Brahma. Inscriptions record Chola, Thanjavur Nayak and Maratha patronage.

Sthala katha — the traditional account

What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.

Shiva plucked off Brahma's fifth head at this place and was himself freed of the resulting sin after bathing in the temple's Kamala Pushkarani tank.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Chola