Sri Sikandeeswarar Temple / Saneeswarar Temple, Vaiyavoor Road, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Sikandeeswarar Temple at Vaiyavoor Road was a part of “Maha Shivaratri 2023- Shiva Temples Visit” organised by “தெய்வ வழிபாட்டு குழு காஞ்சி”, under the leadership of Mr Barani Daran and Mr Vels Kumaran.

Moolavar  : Sri Sikandeeswarar / Chikandeeswarar 

Some of the salient features of this temple are.....

The temple is facing east  with balipeedam and Rishabam. Moolavar is little big & Tall on a square avudayar.  In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai in standing posture. All the Koshta murtis are in stucco ( There was no murtis during our 2020 Maha Shivaratri Darshan ).

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The total temple was constructed / reconstructed with brick. An Ekatala Vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple might have been constructed during Pallava period and the present structure was reconstructed during recent years.

LEGENDS

Shiva is also called as Saneeswarar and Mayanaeeswarar. As per the Sthalapurana of Thirukadaiyur, While taking away the life of Markandyeya, Yama threw the pasa rope on Markandeya which falls on the Shiva / Shiva Linga. Shiva, has got angry, came out of Shiva Linga and kicked Yama. To get rid of the sin caused due to this Yama came to Kanchipuram, installed as Shiva Linga and worshipped. Hence it is believed that worshipping Shiva of this temple, one can get rid of the fear of death.

In another Legend, Saneeswaran, one the 9 Planets installed a Shiva Linga and worshipped Shiva of this temple, hence Shiva is also called as Saneeswaran.

It is also believed that the King called Sikandi, constructed this temple and worshipped Shiva, hence this temple is called Sikandeeswarar Temple.   

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on pradosham and Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 1.4 KM from Kanchipuram Bus Stand, 2.2 KM from Kanchipuram Railway station and 72 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Vedavaneswarar Temple / ஶ்ரீ வேதவனேஸ்வரர் டெம்பிள், Thenampakkam, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Vedavaneswarar Temple at Thenambakkam was a part of “Maha Shivaratri 2023- Shiva Temples Visit” organised by “தெய்வ வழிபாட்டு குழு காஞ்சி”, under the leadership of Mr Barani Daran and Mr Vels Kumaran.

Moolavar  : Sri Vedavaneswarar

Some of the salient features of this temple are.....

The temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram in the mukha mandapam. Stucco images Shiva & Parvati  as Rishabaroodar is on the top of the mukha mandapam.  Moolavar is in the sanctum sanctorum with an Ambal’s idol. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma.

In praharam, Vinayagar, Nagar, Navagrahas and Chandikeswarar. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a padma bandha adhistanam with vrutha kumudam and pattigai. A two tier vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma area in the Tala and greeva koshtas. Maha nasis are on the cordinal directions of greevam and alpha nasis are in between maha nasis.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

The original temple may be constructed during Pallava period. The present temple was reconstructed during recent years. 

LEGENDS

It was told that 4 Vedas worshipped Shiva of this temple, which was once a thick forest. Hence Shiva was called as Vedavaneswarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Fridays, pradosham and Maha Shivaratri.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is at Sadavaram, a part of Nettapetta,/ Thenambakkam, and about 600 meters off from Walajabad to Kanchipuram Road, 4.1 KM from Kanchipuram Bus Stand, 5.6 KM from Kanchipuram Railway Station and 80.00 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.   

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Gangadeeswarar Temple / கங்காதீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Thenambakkam, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Gangadeeswarar Temple at Thenambakkam was a part of “Maha Shivaratri 2023- Shiva temples Visit” organised by “தெய்வ வழிபாட்டு குழு காஞ்சி”, under the leadership of Mr Barani Daran and Mr Vels Kumaran.

Moolavar  : Sri Gangadeeswarar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Stucco images of Kamakshi worshipping Shiva Lingam, Maha Vishnu, Kamakshi, Adi Sankarar and Maha Periyava are on the entrance arch. Moolavar is on a round Avudayar. 

A Deepa sthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam are under the metacolour sheet mandapam. There is no images in the koshtam. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati is on the top of the mukha mandapam.

A vilakku madam is on the top of sanctum sanctorum entrance. Stucco images of Vinayagar, Murugan and Shiva & Parvati in the form of rishabaroodar are on the top of Sanctum sanctorum entrance.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and a meta colour sheet mukha mandapam. The koshtas are not of shallow type to accommodate koshta murtis. An ekatala vesara vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. Shiva, Dakshinamuthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam.  The Temple walls are fixed with granite slabs to make it modern style.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may be constructed during Pallava Period. During our last Visit in 2019, Moolavar was with  sanctum sanctorum and without out basic structure of a temple. The temple was reconstructed to the present status.

LEGENDS

The 18^th Century saint Sri Sivagnana Swamigal, had written the sthala purana of Sri Gangadeecharam of Kanchipuranam, under Sarva Theerta Padalam. Since there are many temples on the same name in Kanchipuram City, we may consider the same sthala purana is applicable to this temple also. As per the legend The River Ganga worshipped Shiva of this temple. 

கங்காவரேச்சரம்

மற்றதன் கரையின் கீழ்பால் வருணெனம் பெருமான் றன்னை

முற்றிழைக் கங்கை யாளோ டிருத்திமுன் தொழுது நீருள்

உற்றுறை உயிர்க்கும் நீர்க்கும் ஒருதனித் தலைவ னாகப்

பெற்றனன் அதன்பேர் கங்கா வரமெனப் பிறங்கு மாலோ

POOJAS AN CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala regular poojas, special are conducted on Fridays, Pradoshams and Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing time are unpredictable. 

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This temple is at Thenambakkam, about 1 KM off from Kanchipuram to Walajabad Road.

The temple is 6.4 KM from Kanchipuram Bus stand, 8 KM from Kanchipuram Railway station, and 80 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

OLD PHOTOGRAPHS

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Merku Kailasanathar Temple, Erikarai (West) Kailasanathar Temple Sevilimedu / எரிகரை (வெஸ்ட்) கைலாசநாதர் கோயில் செவிலிமேடு / Sevilimedu, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District Tamil Nadu.

அரவெனும் ராகு ஐயனே போற்றி

கரவா தருள்வாய் கஷ்டங்கள் நீக்கி

ஆக அருள்புரி அனைத்திலும் வெற்றி

ராகுக் கனியோ ரம்மியா போற்றி

கேது தேவே கீர்த்தித் திருவே !

பாதம் போற்றி ! பாவம் தீர்ப்பாய்

வாதம் வம்பு வழக்குகளினிறி

கேது தேவே கேன்மையாய் ரட்சி..!

The Visit to this Sri Merku Kailasanathar, Dakshina Kailasanathar and Uthra Kailasanathar temples  at Sevilimedu was a part of “Maha Shivaratri 2023- Shiva Temples Visit” organised by “தெய்வ வழிபாட்டு குழு காஞ்சி”, under the leadership of Mr Barani Daran and Mr Vels Kumaran.

Since there is also another Kailasanathar temple in the same Village on the east side, this Shiva temple on the west side of the Village is called as Merku Kailasanathar Temple. The temple was under renovation during my last visit in 2019.

Moolavar  : Sri Kailasanathar

Moolavar  : Sri Uthara Kailasanar

Moolavar  : Sri Dakshina Kailasanathar

Some of the salient features of this temple are....

The temple is facing west with an entrance arch on the south side. Stucco images of a Shiva Lingam, Rahu and Ketu, Adi Sankarar and Maha Periyava are on the entrance arch. A balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is of Dhara Lingam with 8 flat surfaces. In Kishtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma Brahma. 

In praharam Dakshina Kailasanathar, Uthra Kailasanathar, SaneeswararNagars, Swarna Akarshana bairavar and Chandikeswarar. Dakshina and Uthara Kailasanathar Sannidhis are on both sides of the Main temple and facing east with balipeedam and rishabam. Uthara and Dakshina Kailasanathar temples moolavars are also of Dhara Lingams. The temple tank is on the north side of the temple.

ARCHITECTURE

The main temple is on a Pada bandha adhisthanam with three patta kumudam. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The adhistanam was constructed with stone. The sanctum wall and Ekatala Vesara Vimanam are constructed with Bricks. Stucco image of Shiva and Parvati in the form of Rishabaroodar is on the top of the mukha mandapam ( West side ).

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the original temple belongs to Pallava period and latter reconstructed during recent years. No inscriptions was found in this temple to prove its antiquity.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 18th January 1989, 3rd July 2006 and 2020. 

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Devas and Asuras churned the milk ocean to get the amirt, to live immortality. They used Mandara hill as Churn keeping on Tortoise ( the Koorma avatar of Maha Vishnu ) and the Vasuki as string / rope.

After the amrit was churned, Maha Vishnu started distributing to Devas, in the form of Mohini, ignoring Demons / Asuras. Swarnabanu a Demon wished to consume the amrit. Swarnabanu was a demon, born to Viprasithu son of Kasiba Maharishi and Simkigai, called as Simkiyen also called as Swarnabanu. During distribution of Amrit to Devas, Swarnabaanu ( Ketu ) changed his appearance as Deva and received amrit sitting between Chandran and Suryan. When this was informed to Maha Vishnu, Maha Vishnu hit on the head of Swarnabanu with the spoon used for distribution of Amit. On hitting, Swarnabanu’s head and body has got separated. The head has become Ketu with Naga’s body. The body has become Rahu with snake head. Both did penance on Shiva and obtained the position of planets and the people worships Rahu and Ketu as 8^th and 9^th Planets.

It is believed that Rahu and Ketu worshiped Shiva of this temple, hence this temple is believed to be a Parikara sthalam for Rahu and Ketu. The images of Rahu and Ketu are on the top of the Entrance arch.

Devotees prays Ketu for family problem, Child boon, Pithru dosha, Nagadosha, marriage etc,.

POOJAS AN CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since orukala pooja is conducted the opening and closing times are unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS

R Mahesh Gurukkal’s mobile number +919677580819 and G Mani’s mobile number +919994921252 may be contacted for further details. 

HOW TO REACH

The temple is at Sevilimedu on the banks of the Sevilimedu Eri.

The temple is about 750 meters off from Kanchipuram to Vandavasi road, 5.5 KM from Kanchipuram Bus Stand, 7 KM from Kanchipuram Railway Station and 86 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Please refer my Previous years post in Google photos of this temple

Swarna-akarshana Bairavar

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Athipatheeswarar Temple, Aladi Pillayar koil Street, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Athipatheeswarar Temple on Aladi Pillayar Koil Street in Kanchipuram was a part of “Maha Shivaratri 2023- Shiva Temples Visit” organised by “தெய்வ வழிபாட்டு குழு காஞ்சி”, under the leadership of Mr Barani Daran and Mr Vels Kumaran.

Moolavar : Sri Athipatheeswarar

Some of the salient features of this temple are.....

He temple is facing east with a 3 tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. There is no koshtas. In prakaram Vinayagar, Nagars and Chandikeswarar. A rishabam / damaged is kept on the back side

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam ( the Meta colour sheet mukha mandapam was added during recent years ). The temple is about 3 feet lower than the road level. The complete temple was reconstructed during recent years with brick and an Eka tala Vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. The walls and the greeva don’t have the koshtas / niches, hence there is no images.

LEGENDS

The legend of the Kanchipuam temples is also applicable to this temple. Brahma was in the process of conducting the Yaga with out Saraswati. Saraswati has got angry, took the form of Vegavathi river during the night time, tried to destroy the Yaga. As per the instruction of Shiva, Maha Vishnu in the form of Vilakkoli Perumal stopped Vegavathi for conducting the Yaga without interruption. Maha Vishnu installed this Shiva Linga and worshipped.

POOJAS AN CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable. But usually the temple will be kept opened during morning hours.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is close to Moongil mandapam, all the buses towards Bus stand stops at moongil mandapam.

The temple is about 1.8 KM from Kanchipuram Bus stand, 3.3 KM from Kanchipuram Railway station and 82 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---