“S illadha maharshi, who yearned for a son, appealed to Lord Shiva. The compassionate deity instructed him to perform the "Puthra Kameshti" yagna. To carry out the ritual, the rishi set out in search of a box, which he found in a field. The box contained an idol with three eyes and four shoulders. As soon as the rishi touched the idol, it transformed into a beautiful baby. The overjoyed rishi named the infant Jappyesan.The delighted rishi named the infant Jappyesan. However, Jappyesan received a message from a divine voice, informing her that she would only live for 16 years.

However, Jappyesan's happiness was short-lived as a divine voice revealed to her that she had only 16 years to live. Nonetheless, Jappyesan's parents Siladha Rishi and his wife raised her with great care and love, while also teaching her the Vedas. When Jappyesan turned 14 years old, she decided to embark on extreme penance at the Surya Pushkarini Theertham in Thiruvaiyaru, knowing that her life would soon come to an end and that it was the cause of her parents' sorrow.

Jappyesan's penance was so intense that she remained motionless for an extended period, during which time fish and other aquatic life consumed her flesh, leaving only her bare skeleton. Unable to bear the sight of their child's suffering any longer, Silladhar implored Lord Shiva to intervene. In response, Shiva tested his pupil by asking her to bathe with five different substances: the holy waters of Ganga, Kamandala water of Bramma, Cauvery river water, breast milk of the divine mother, and froth from the mouth of Nandhi.

Jappyesan successfully completed the test, and Lord Shiva appeared before her, granting her a boon. Jappyesan requested that she be remembered as the one who attained salvation through penance. Pleased with her devotion and dedication, Lord Shiva granted her wish and took her back to Kailash, his abode. Thus, the legend of Jappyesan is remembered with reverence during the festival of Saptha Sthaanam.

The festival of Saptha Sthaanam is a grand celebration that honors the marriage of Nandhikeswarar, which was performed by none other than Lord Shiva himself. According to the legend, Siladha Maharshi yearned to have a son and appealed to the Lord. In response, Shiva ordered him to carry out the "Puthra Kameshti" yagna. The rishi set out to search for a box in a field, and upon finding it, he discovered an idol within it that had three eyes and four shoulders. When the rishi touched the idol, it miraculously transformed into a beautiful infant. Overjoyed, the rishi named the child Jappyesan. However, a divine voice revealed to Jappyesan that her life span would only be 16 years.

Despite the knowledge of her impending death, Jappyesan was raised by Siladha Rishi and his wife, who taught her the Vedas. At the age of 14, Jappyesan began to perform extreme penance at the Surya Pushkarini Theertham in Thiruvaiyaru, knowing that her life would soon come to an end, and that it caused her parents' sorrow. Her penance was so severe that she remained motionless for an extended period, allowing fish and other aquatic life to consume her flesh, leaving only her bare skeleton behind. Moved by Silladhar's anguish, Shiva tested his student by directing her to take a bath with five different liquids, which included Ganga, Kamandala water of Brahma, Cauvery river water, breast milk of the divine mother, and froth from Nandhi's mouth. These five liquids came to be known as "Pancha Nadham," meaning the site where five rivers or liquids flowed, and helped to restore Jappyesan to her initial state.

The festival of Saptha Sthaanam is held every year on the Visakam Natchathram of the Chitra month, and it is a significant event that attracts devotees from far and wide. During the festival, idols of Iyyarappar and Dharma Samvardhini are brought from the Sri Iyyarappar temple in Thiruvaiyaru to Thirupazhanam in a glass palanquin, where they are joined by a palanquin carrying the idols of that temple. The two palanquins then travel to Thiruchotruthurai, where they board the temple's palanquin for Thiruvedikudi. From there, they proceed to Kandiyur, and the palanquins continue their journey to Thirupunthuruthi and Thillaisthanam. They spend the night there and resume their journey on Sunday morning, arriving at Thiruvaiyaru one after the other.

On Sunday, the festival includes a Bommai Poo Poduthal ceremony, where dolls present flowers to the deities. After this ceremony, the palanquins arrive at the Iyarappar shrine, and eventually, they are relocated to their designated locations. The entire procession is conducted on foot, with no other form of transportation used. The festival is a testament to the enduring power of faith and devotion, and it is a beautiful celebration of the divine union of Nandhikeswarar and his consort. The festival of Saptha Sthaanam celebrates the marriage of Nandhikeswarar, which was performed by Lord Shiva himself. The legend goes that the festival is celebrated in seven different temples in Tamil Nadu, following a specific order.

Thiruvaiyaru: The festival begins at the Thiruvaiyaru temple, where the idols of Iyyarappar and Dharma Samvardhini are brought from the Sri Iyyarappar temple in a glass palanquin. This is where Jappyesan, the child with a 16-year lifespan, did his extreme penance and was later restored to life by Lord Shiva.

Thirupparanam: The next stop is Thirupparanam, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kalyanasundareswarar and his consort Parvati as Kokilambal. The temple is known for its intricate carvings and beautiful architecture.

Thiruchchotruthurai: The festival then moves to Thiruchchotruthurai, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Satchinathar and his consort as Periyanayaki. The temple is known for its beautiful sculptures and carvings.

Thiruvedhikudi: The next temple on the list is Thiruvedhikudi, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Vedaranyeswarar and his consort as Devaki Ammai. The temple is known for its ancient inscriptions and stone carvings.

Kandiyur: The festival then moves to Kandiyur, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kandeeswarar and his consort as Mangalambigai. The temple is known for its beautiful sculptures and intricate carvings.

Thiruppoondhuruthi: The next stop is Thiruppoondhuruthi, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kailasanathar and his consort as Periyanayaki. The temple is known for its ancient inscriptions and stone carvings.

Thillaisthanam: The festival ends at Thillaisthanam, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Lalithambikai and his consort as Kameswarar. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and intricate sculptures.

The festival of Saptha Sthaanam is a grand celebration that commemorates the marriage of Nandhikeswarar and his wife. The legend of Jappyesan, who lived a short but remarkable life, adds to the significance of the festival. The grand procession that takes place during the festival, covering seven temples, is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region. The festival not only serves as a time for celebration but also promotes the preservation and appreciation of ancient traditions and beliefs. Overall, the festival of Saptha Sthaanam holds great significance for the people of Tamil Nadu and is a wonderful opportunity to connect with their heritage.