This is one of the 108 Divyadesams and also one of the 275 Padal petra sthalams. Located about 10kms from Thanjavur on the road to Thiruvaiyaru, The deity Shiva here is known by the name, Brahma Sira Kandeeswarar or one who plucked off Brahma’s head. His consort is Mangala Nayaki. There is a separate temple for Brahma here. The main deity here is Hara Sabha Vimosana Perumal/ Kamalanathan- Goddess: Kamalavalli Naachiyar).
History of the Temple
Once upon a time, both Shiva and Brahma had 5 heads. One day Parvati (Shiva’s wife) coming out of her pooja mistook Brahma (because of his 5 heads) for her husband and began serving him by washing his legs. A furious Shiva announced Brahma and his 5 heads were the reason for this confusion. In a fit of anger, Shiva took the middle head of Brahma with his hand. Unfortunately, the head of Brahmma stuck to Shiva’s hand. Shiva was afflicted with Brahmahatti Dosham due to His act of plucking off Brahma’s fifth head
Shiva went around the world on a pilgrimage to find salvation from the curse by begging for food, with Brahmma’s skull as the begging vessel. Every time someone filled the vessel with food, it vanished immediately, to Shiva’s horror.
. He was partly absolved of the sin at Bitchandar Koil. His hunger was satisfied at Bitchandar Koil but Brahma’s skull was still stuck to his palm.
Shiva went around the world on a pilgrimage to find salvation from the curse by begging for food, with Brahmma’s skull as the begging vessel. Every time someone filled the vessel with food, it vanished immediately, to Shiva’s horror.
. He was partly absolved of the sin at Bitchandar Koil. His hunger was satisfied at Bitchandar Koil but Brahma’s skull was still stuck to his palm.
Vishnu answered Shiva’s prayer for salvation and asked him to bathe at Kandiyur. It is believed that Shiva prayed to Goddess Kamalavalli and Vishnu at Kandiyur and attained salvation from Lord Kamalanathan here. The temple tank since then has come to be known as kapala theertham.
Temple Timing : 8am-12noon and 430pm-8pm