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Where Vedas worshipped the Lord
 The River Cauvery, originating from Coorg in Karnataka, runs in search of God and finally joins the ocean after caressing his divine feet. There are so many temples around Kollidam on the Cauvery riverbed and at present there are about 190 Siva sthalas on which the 'Sivanesargal' have sung poems in praise of Lord Siva.
These are the residing places of all 64 varieties of arts and such sthalas consist of 'thala', 'theertham' and 'murthy'. One among these is the 'Thiruvaikaavur' in Papanasam taluk of Thanjavur district.
This place is situated between the Cauvery (on its north bank) and Kollidam (on its south bank). Among the Cauvery's divine places situated on its northern shores, this is the 48th.
Mahasivarathri
Thirukalathi and Thiruvaikaavur are pilgrimage spots which have been praised as Mahasivarathri places and hence their greatness. Apart from Appar swamigal who has praised this place in his 'Kshetrakovai Thiruthandagam', Thirugnana Sambandar has also sung in praise of this place.
This place lies between the Kumbakonam-Thiruvaiyaru bus route. One has to get down at Andakudi and travel four miles north to reach this temple.
Sri Vilvaaranyeshwarar Temple
 The entrance of the temple appears like a small mandapam. On the southern side of the entrance lies the Siddhi Vinayakar temple, facing east.
Inside the temple, Nandhi Bhagavan sits facing the entrance as though he is receiving the devotees entering the temple, which is its speciality. After worshipping him, one comes into the vicinity of the second gopuram. After crossing this, one can reach the 'praharam' (courtyard of the inner shrine)
The Muthys
Coming around the praharam, one can see the well, which is called 'Brahma theertham', and the vilvam trees which are the sthala vrikshams. According to the sthalapuranam, it is said the Vedas took the form of vilvam tree and performed penance here.
One can worship Sree Vallabha Vinayagar on the western side of the praharam.
The intermediate position on the western side of the praharam is occupied by Arumuga Perumal. After worshipping him, one can approach the separate temple for Goddess Sree Sarvajanarakshagi Ambal. She is also called 'Valakkai Nayagi' in Tamil. There is an idol of Lord Vinayagar in this temple which is 16 inches high and 12 inches wide, which is a treat to one's eyes.
 Then comes Sandikeswarar and after worshipping him one sees a separate temple for Nataraja Perumal. He appears with Sivagami Ambal and the idols are antiques. There is an idol of Manickavasagar too.
As soon as one enters the mahamandapam, one can worship the 'Saptha Lingas' on the right side. In the artha mandapam, at the entrance, one can see Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma as the two dwarapalakas, which is an important feature of this temple.
On the northern side stands Dakshinamurthy with a stick. Even in the artha mandapam, Nandhi Bhagavan stands facing the entrance and from there one can worship Vilvaaranyeshwarar, who is in the divine form of 'suyambu' Lingam.
The inscriptions in the temple reveal that King Kulothunga Chozhan (1st) in the 11th century A.D. built the sanctum sanctorum and the artha mani mandapams in granite stones. This is proved from the stone inscriptions and the giant pillars found in the temple.
The Mahasivarathri in the month of 'Masi' (Feb) is celebrated in a grand manner here. On the night of Mahasivarathri, 'naangu kala' pooja is performed, and on Amavasai Day, the Panchamurthys come out in a procession and the theerthavari cermony is performed.
The sacred pond on the opposite side of the temple is called Yama Theertham, the well on the south-eastern corner is called Agni Theertham and the well on the southern side of the courtyard called Brahma Theertham were created by Lord Yama, Agni and Brahma respectively. It is believed that one who visits this place and worships the deities, will be blessed with all prosperities.
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