Iravathesvarar Temple, Nemam

Iravathesvarar Temple is at Nemam, also called Niyamam, on the southern bank of the Kaveri in Thanjavur district, about 3 km from Thirukattupalli on the road to Thokur. Appar praised its god, making it a Vaippu Sthalam, and the Periya Puranam says Sambandar came here after worshipping at Nedungalam. The place is said to have had a different name in each of the four yugas, and the Brahmanda Purana gives the god five names.

Its legend concerns Rambai, the celestial dancer, sent to earth under a curse from Narada. She worshipped Shiva here and refused to return without his leave, even when Indra sent Iravatham to fetch her; finally Indra prayed to Shiva and took both of them back. The east-facing temple has a three-tier gopuram, and its Nandi sits 3 feet below ground level. The wall niches hold Brahma, Dakshinamurthy and Durga, and Sanisvara appears with his crow.