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Tiruvaikavur Temple or Thiruvaikavur Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the holy village of Tiruvaikavur, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is incarnated by the hymns of Tirugnana Sambandar and is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.

When the sage Thavanidhi was doing tapasya, a hunter came chasing a deer. Since the sage gave protection to the deer, the angered hunter began attacking the sage. Lord Siva at once took the tigers form and began driving the hunter.

The frightened hunter ran and climbed on the nearby bael tree. The tiger also stood under the tree. The hunter had no other way and so stayed in the tree throughout the night. The hunter thought that he would fall down from the tree if he slept and so he plucked the leaves and dropped them down one after the other.

The leaves fell on Lord Siva in the tigers guise. That was a Maha Sivarathiri day. The hunter received unawares the grace of the Lord, worshipping Him without any knowledge, fasting and sleepless. The Lord appeared before him and sanctioned moksa (liberation) to him. As he had to die the next day early morning Yama, the Lord of Death came there.

Nandhi Deva discarded him and Lord Siva as Dakshinamurti drove Yama away with a staff in His hand. He was also angry with Nandhi Deva for having permitted Yama in. Because of his fear to the Lord, Nandhi Deva stopped Yama controlling him with his breath.

Yama was then relieved after he surrendered to Lord Siva. The legend says that he created a pond before the temple, worshipped the Lord and left the place.

Festivals:

Maasi month Maha Sivarathiri two days festival Theerthavaari on the New Moon Day. Panchmukha Moorthis Procession in the Palm leaf cart in the night. It is a significant feature that the Rishabam, Swami and Ambal are all made in Palm leaves and they are taken in procession. Arudhra Procession - This festival is quite noteworthy in this place on the Tiruvaathirai, Vijayadasami and Tirukkaarthigai days.

Opening time:

The temple is open from 6.00 am to 11.00 am and from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm.

This is the 48th sacred place in the northern bank of Kaveri consecrated by thevaaram.

The Lord of this place graces us as a swayambu moorthi. This place brought in the important Maha Sivarathiri festival, the festival of Siva temples. In this sacred temple, Lord Dakshinamurthi appears in the standing posture with a staff in his hand. Such an icon cannot be seen in any other place.

Nandikeswarar is reversed and in the opposite side. There is no Navagraha sanctum in this temple. In the ardha mantapam, on both the sides of the door step, Lord Vishnu and Brahma stand as security guards, a feature that could not be seen anywhere.

This holy temple has no Rajagopuram. In the front appears Vinayagar. With five kalasams, the front door alone faces east. On entering we can see the Nandhi turning faces us eastward. If we enter the inner temple door, we can see and enjoy the Hunter story imaged in mortar.

In the outer prakaaram are the sanctum of Saptakannikas, Sundaramurthi Vinayagar sanctum and that of Lord Arumuga.

Prayers:

Worshipping Lord Vilvavaneswarar, our sorrows will vanish. Those who long for marriage and offspring can worship this Lord. The Lord will grant peace and serenity to those who pray to Him. The Lord also readily grants the prayers of his devotees who pray for good job opportunities, business enhancement and promotion in job

Do's:

Do pray Your Ishta Devata before Pilgrimage to temple
Do Contact Temple Devasthanam information center for inquiry ,temple information and for pooja details etc.
Do Do reserve your travel and accommodation at temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any Purpose other than worshiping of God and Goddess
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple
Do not Eat Non Vegetarian food in the Kshetram
Do not approach mediators for quick Dharshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple
Do not wear any head guards like helmets ,caps ,turbans and hats inside the temple premises