Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ அருணாசலேஸ்வரர் கோயில் காஞ்சிபுரம், Maha Lingesam, Between Old Nos 13-B &, 14-A, Apparao St, Melkathirpur, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple at Periya Kanchipuram was a part of the “Maha Shivaratri 2023- Shiva Temples Visit” organized by “தெய்வ வழிபாட்டு குழு காஞ்சி”, under the leadership of Mr. Barani Daran and Mr. Vels Kumaran. This temple is on the banks of Chakra Theertham.

Moolavar: Sri Arunachaleswarar

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with Balipeedam and Rishabam. The Moolavar is a little tall on (Neel Sathura), a square/rectangular avudayar with Kamakshi Amman. Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. In Koshtam,  Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, and Brahma.  Chandikeswarar is in the praharam.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple is on a raised upana and consists of the sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. The adhistanam is of simple pada bandha adhistanam with three patta kumudam. An eka tala vesara vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum.

Some of the specialties of this temple are that all koshta murtis, Vinayagar, Murugan, and Chandikeswarar are not in the form of idols; instead, they are in the form of Padukas / Pathukas and with Photos/Chithra (Chitra Prathishta).

Vinayagar & Chandikeswarar

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the inscription tablet, a similar Chitra Paduka (footprint) was installed (prathista) in koshtams in 5 temples of Kanchipuram. They are Sri Venkateswara Temple, Sri Krishneswar Temple, Sri Muktheeswarar Temple, and Sri Mahalingeswarar Temple, which are similar to this temple. This was done as per the advice of Maha Periyava.

The present temple was constructed/reconstructed in recent years. Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 30^th April 2017.

LEGENDS

It is believed that this temple is very similar to Thiruvannamalai Sri Arunachaleswarar, with equal power. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

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

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since Oru kala pooja is conducted, opening and closing times are unpredictable.

HOW TO REACH

The address of the temple is Maha Lingesam, Between Old Nos 13-B & 14-A, Apparao St, Melkathirpur, Periya, Kanchipuram.

The Temple is on the south bank of Chakra Theertham, about 400 meters from Kanchipuram Railway Station, 2 km from Kanchipuram Bus Stand, and 73 km from Chennai.

The nearest railway Station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Vinayagar

Lingothbavar and Brahma

Amman Temple before the Shiva temple

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Sri Nagareeswarar Temple, Near Kanchipuram Bus Stand, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Nagareeswarar Temple near the bus stand was a part of the “Maha Shivaratri 2023- Shiva temples Visit” organized by “தெய்வ வழிபாட்டு குழு காஞ்சி”, under the leadership of Mr. Barani Daran and Mr. Vels Kumaran.

  

Moolavar: Sri Nagareeswarar

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

The temple faces east with an entrance arch on the west side. A stucco image of Shiva and Parvati as Rishabaroodar is on the entrance arch. A Nadukal/Hero stone, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are on the east side. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

In praharam, Nagars, Navagrahas, and Chandikeswarar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapa, and meta color sheet mukha mandapam.  The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta Kumudam, and pattikai. The floor level is raised up to Kumudam, and only pattikai and a portion of Kumudam are visible. The bhitti starts with pattikai. Brahma Kantha pilasters are on the bhitti. From adhistanam to prastaram, built with stone. A 2-tier stucco vesara vimanam is on the prastaram (3 tiers above adhistanam). Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtam. 

  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple may have been constructed during the Pallava period and reconstructed during the Vijayanagara period. The ardha Mandapam was extended with an entrance on the south side, which might have been built during the Vijayanagara period.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Moolavar was installed by Indran, and this is a pava (sin) Vimochana Sthalam. Lord Shiva is responsible for the creation of this City / Nagar Kanchipuram, and is hence called Nagareeswarar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Amavasya, pournami, Annabhshekam, and Maha Chivaratri.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 100 meters from the Kanchipuram bus stand.

The temple is about 1.6 km from Kanchipuram Railway Station and 71 km from Chennai.

The nearest railway station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

HERO STONE (The details of this Hero stone are written as a separate Post)

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Sri Irangumatheeswarar Temple, Enathur, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to the Sri Irangumatheeswarar Temple at Enathur was a part of the “Maha Shivaratri 2023 - Shiva Temples Visit” organized by “தெய்வ வழிபாட்டு குழு காஞ்சி”, under the leadership of Mr. Barani Daran and Mr. Vels Kumaran. This Irangumatheeswarar Shiva temple is at Enathur, about 1 km off the Chennai Bengaluru highway.

Moolavar: Sri Irangumatheeswarar

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

The temple faces east with balipeedam and Rishabam. Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of the sanctum Sanctorum. Navagrahas are in the ardha mandapam. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. The Koshtas are empty. A Vilakku madam is above the sanctum sanctorum entrance. 

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The temple was reconstructed in recent years using a few Pallava-period temple stones. Balance stones/ceiling stones are used in the pavement and dumped in the pond. An ekatala vesara vimanam is over the sanctum sanctorum.  Maha nasis are on the greeva koshtams. Stucco images of Shiva and Parvati are on the top of the Mukha mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Based on the remains of the original temple, like Simha Pillars, sandstone beams & stones, the temple might have been constructed during the Pallava period. The temple was reconstructed in recent years.

LEGENDS

Chandran is also called Soma. The word Soma is mentioned in Vedic texts. In the post, Vedic texts like the Epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, and Puranas, Soma is mentioned as a Lunar deity, i.e., Chandra. As per the post-Vedic texts, Chandra and his brothers Dattatreya and Durvasa are the sons of Sage Atri and Anusuya. The Scholars have different versions of his birth.

Chandra married 27 daughters of Prajapati Dakshan. The 27 daughters represent 27 Stars. Out of his 26 wives, Chandra used to spend most of his time with Rohini. The other 26 wives became upset and complained to their father, Prajapati Daksha. Their father got angry for not treating all the wives equally and cursed Chandra for losing his brightness (Complete waxing). Worried, Chandra prays to Shiva to save him. Shiva told Chandra that he could not stop the curse completely and gave a boon of waning/diminishing brightness for 15 days as per the curse of Prajapati Dakshan, and waxing/increasing brightness for 15 days. Hence, Shiva is called “Irangumatheeswarar”. Irangu – waning/down and Mathi – Chandran in Tamil.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

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

TEMPLE TIMINGS

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

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 1 km away from the Chennai-Bengaluru highway.

The temple is 5 km from Kanchipuram Railway Station, 5.6 km from Kanchipuram bus stand, and 66 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Old Temple's stones ( Sandstone )

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

ARCHITECTURE

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

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

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

LEGENDS

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

In another Legend, Saneeswaran, one of the 9 Planets, installed a Shiva Linga and worshipped the Shiva of this temple; hence, Shiva is also called 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 open between 08.00 hrs and 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.

The nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

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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 the “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 faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram in the mukha mandapam. Stucco images of Shiva & Parvati as Rishabaroodar are 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 the praharam, Vinayagar, Nagar, Navagrahas and Chandikeswarar. 

ARCHITECTURE

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

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

The original temple may have been constructed during the Pallava period. The present temple was reconstructed in recent years. 

LEGENDS

It was said that the 4 Vedas were worshipped in this temple, which was once a thick forest. Hence, Shiva was called 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 open between 08.00 hrs and 10.00 hrs and between 17.00 hrs and 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.

The nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.   

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---