Aiyarappar Temple, Thiruvaiyaru

Thiruvaiyaru is a town on the Kaveri a short drive from Thanjavur, and its name refers to the five rivers around it: the Vadavaar, Vennaar, Vettaar, Kudamurutti and Kaveri. Its main shrine is the Shiva temple known as Aiyarappar or Panchanatheeswarar, whose presiding deity takes his name from those rivers. Called Dakshina Kailasam, Shiva's southern abode, it is regarded as highly as Kashi Vishwanath, is a Paadal Petra Sthalam and heads the seven Saptha Stanam temples. Legend says Nandi was born here and chosen as Shiva's mount.

The complex has five water bodies and a Homa Kund said to have been started by Adi Sankara, and pilgrims bathe in the Kaveri to wash away sin. Thiruvaiyaru is also where the Carnatic composer Saint Thyagaraja lived and attained samadhi; his small house near the temple and his shrine by the river draw visitors, and the Thyagaraja Aradhana music festival is held in his memory every January.