Chayavaneswara Temple is a delightful shrine, located at Chayavanam (Chaikadu), about three km from Tiruvengadu, in
Nagapattinam District,
Tamil Nadu. The temple is situated just 1.5 km from the confluence of
Cauvery River with the sea, known as ‘Kaveri patnam’. The presiding deity here is
Lord Shiva, popularly known here as Lord Chayavaneswara.
The temple became famous for its connection with Iyarpagai Nayanar who was one of the 63 Nayanmars or Shaivite saints of the South. It is said that Nayanar used to spend all his wealth for temples, feeding sadhus and satisfying their desires. Once, an old man approached him with the request to send Nayanar’s wife with him as a gift. Even though, it is humiliating, Nayanar without any hesitation insisted his wife to follow the old man; however it created much commotion among his relatives. The old man changed into Lord Shiva and praised the Nayanar for his devotion towards Saivite saints and blessed him with liberation.
The nearest airport is at Tiruchirapalli. Semponnar Koil Railway Station and Akkur Railway Station, on the Chennai-Mayavaram line, are the nearest railway stations.
