Sri Metraleeswarar Temple, Thirukachimetrali, Sri Anekadhangavadeswarar Temple, Kachi Anekathangavatham and Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - Paadal Petra Sthalangal of Thondai Nadu.

 29, July 2014

After the accident ( break in one of the bones and angle joint dislocated ) on my right leg, well-wishers advised me to go to Magaral, the 7th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, of Thondai Nadu near Kanchipuram. Even though I had been to this temple twice this is my third visit on 29th July 2014. After confirmation with the gurukkal ( Shanmuga Sundara Gurukkal 9444810396 )  of the temple reached the temple around 07.45 Hrs with an empty water bottle to get the abhisheka water. It was believed that the holy water would cure many deceases. Utilizing this opportunity had Lord Shiva’s darshan at Thirumetraleeswarar and Thirukachi Anekathangavatham. Also visited Sri Kailasanathar Temple near Thirukachi Anekathangavatham.

2. SRI METRALEESWARAR TEMPLE,  THIRUKACHI METRALI 

( திருக்கச்சி மேற்றளி )

( This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, Sthalapurana, History & inscriptions and Legend. For the updated post please click this Link )

 

This is the second Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Now called Thirumetraleeswarar Koil and is in Pillayar Palayam, part of Kanchipuram. Thirunavukkarasar and Thirugnanasambandar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

 Moolavar vimanam 

Moolavar    : Sri Metraleeswarar, Tirumetralinathar.

Consort      : Sri Metrali Nayagi

Some of the important features of this temple are …..

The temple faces west with a 3-tier Rajagopuram on the east side. Balipedam and Rishabam are in the prakara. In Otha urugesar Sannadhi thiruvadi of Thirumal is in front of Lord Shiva. Moolavar is facing west. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and  Durgai.  Urchava Murtis are kept in the mandapam. In Natarajar Saba, Natarajar is painted and the original idol/ moortham is kept at Kachabesar Temple.

In the inner prakaram Sannadhi for  Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Kasi Viswanathar and Bhairavar.

In the outer prakaram Sannadhi for Navagrahas. Balipeedam with Nandhi are in front of the Sanctum. Ambal Sannadhi in this temple was constructed at a later state, since for all Kanchipuram Shiva Temples Ambal is only Sri Kamakshi Amman. Jyeshta Devi’s statue is in the open ground with Manthan, Manandhi, and ghost reliefs.

During Kachabesar Urchavam Ambal will be brought to this temple and poojas will be conducted in the mandapam.

LEGEND

Thirumal worshiped Lord Shiva and got back his Shiva Swaroopam after Thirugnanasambandar came and sang the pathigam, till Thirumal was in Dhabas. Thirugnanasambandar’s sannidhi is at the end of the street. It was believed that Lord Shiva came here and listened to Thirugnanasambandar’s hymns. Hence there is a sannadhi available in the middle of the street by the name “Utrukketta Muthesara”.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

Old Pallava, Sambuvarayar, and Vijayanagara period Tamil inscriptions are found. These inscriptions give the message of collecting Tax /funds from Sengunthars for running the temple. During my visit, Preparation was in progress for the Maha Kumbhabhishekam on 31-08-2014

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple is kept open between 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 21.00 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The temple may be contacted through mobile numbers 9865355572 and 9994585006

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 2 KM from the bus stand. Can be reached through auto.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Painting at Natarajar Saba ( The original Natarajar is kept at Kachabesar temple, Kanchipuram )

 Palalayam -Thirumal's thiruvadi also can be seen 

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar Sannadhi 

  A new mandapam with Stucco images is in progress

Entrance to the shrine

  Rishabam in mandapam

 Three tier Rajagopuram 

 Utruketeeswarar Temple 

 Utruketeeswarar Temple 

 Utruketeeswarar Temple 

 Utruketeeswarar Temple Rishabam 

 Thirugnanasambandar Sannadhi ( at the end of the street )

4. SRI ANEKADHANGAVADESWARAR TEMPLE,/ KACHI ANEKATHANGAVATHAM / ( கச்சி அநேகதங்காவதம் ), KANCHIPURAM. 

( This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, Sthalapurana, Legends, History, and inscriptions. For details on this updated post please click this link )

This is the 4^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam in Thondai Nadu. Sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

 Balipeedam, Rishaba mandapam with Moolavar shrine view from the east

Moolavar: Sri Anekathankavadheswarar

Some of the important features of this temple are …

The  Temple is facing east with an entrance mini Rajagopuram on the north side. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala and Artha mandapam. A Shed in front acts as a mukha mandapa. Rishabam and Balipeedam are in front of the temple. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durga.

In the Prakara, Sri Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Chandikeswara. The adhisthana is a simple padabandha adhisthana.

LEGEND

Anekam – Elephant-faced lord Sri Vinayagar installed and worshiped. The Lord Shiva was also worshiped by Kuberan.

There was a lot of change in the temple between my first visit and this visit. Kumbhabhishekam was performed after constructing the Moolavar vimanam, Naalvar Sannadhi, Ganapathi, and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar Sannadhi. There was also an arch constructed near the main road leading to Sri Kailasanathar Temple. The entrance mini Rajagopuram was not touched and kept as it was.

Tamil inscriptions are found at the base of the Sanctum Sanctorum.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple is kept open between 08.00 Hrs to 11.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

The landline number is 044-2722 2084. 

HOW TO REACH

This temple is before Sri Kailasanathar temple on the left side.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

 

 Moolavar vimanam 

 Vinayagar sannadhi

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar sannadhi

 Moolavar Vimanam with Chandikeswarar sannadhi 

 Front mini Rajagopuram 

A newly built arch on the left of the main road

SRI KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE

This post was updated first in 2017 and again updated in 2020 with photographs and rare details after Visiting Mahashivaratri in the year 2020. 

The temple is an architectural marvel, built by Pallava king Narasimha Varman –II, during the 8^th century. The temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India. The stone and statues were damaged badly due to age and were reconstructed by ASI. It also attracts foreign tourists.  Daily poojas are conducted.

LEGEND

When the date was finalized for the Kumbhabhishekam, Lord Shiva asked to change to date to some other day, since he is attending the Kumbhabhishekam of a temple built by Poosalar one of Nayanmar at Thiruninravur.

There are very small entries and exit passages around Moolavar sanctum sanctorum. Going in and coming out through the passage signifies that people will get rid of the pain caused due to birth and death.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple is kept open between  08.30 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.00 Hrs to 18.00 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH.

The temple is about 2 KM from the bus stand and the autos will charge Rs 60.00.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Front view from Rishaba mandapam

Rishabam with mandapam Lion pillars 

Temple front entrance - The First Rajagopuram 

Inside mandapam  

Entrance view from the back side with corridor

Dwarapalakas - on both sides are not identical

 View of the corridor

Moolavar vimanam - the superstructure was also built with stone 

 Mahishasuramardini 

 Shiva with Parvati ( old paints also can be seen  near heads ) 

 Kalasamhara Murthy

Gajasamhara Murthy

 Pot for collection of Abhisheka water

 Old Pallava period inscriptions 

----- OM SHIVAYA NAMA -----