Karchapeshwarar Temple, Kanchipuram
Karchapeshwarar
Temple is a Hindu
temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva located in the town of Kanchipuram in Tamilnadu, India. According to popular folklore, Vishnu is believed to have worshipped Shiva in the form
of Kurma (tortoise). The other name given to the temple is Kachipedu in
some inscriptions. The temple is adjacent to the Kanthakottam temple. The
temples was constructed by the Pallavas and renovated by Vijayanagar kings. The other name given to the temple is
Kachipedu in some inscriptions.
Legends
Legend
dates back to the churning of Vaikuntam's (Lord Vishnu's abode) Milky
ocean. Milky Ocean was churned by making Vasuki Serpent as Churning
rope and Mount Meru as Churning stick by Devas and Asuras. As churning in
progress Mount Meru started sinking into the ocean, Lord Vishnu assumed Kurma Avathaar
(Kachaba) and bore the weight of Meru. It is said that, Lord Vishnu in Kurma
(Tortoise) avathaar installed Lord Siva here and prayed during this
process.
History
This
temple is pretty old. The period is prior to 1600 years. “Thandiyalangaram”, a
7th century book on grammar talks about this temple. The temples was
constructed by the Pallavas and renovated by Vijayanagar kings. The other name given to the temple is
Kachipedu in some inscriptions.
The Temple
Presiding
deity is called as Sri Kachabeswarar and Mother is called as Sri Sundarambigai.
Minor Shrines of Vishnu Durgai, Pancha Sandhi Vinayaga, Bairavar, Sooriyan,
Saraswathi Devi, Aadhikesava Perumal, Valli Deivayanai Sammedha Muruga, Itta Siddheesa, Yoga Siddheesa, Dharma Siddheesa, Gnana
Siddheesa, Chathur Mukeswara, Yuga Siddheesa, Badhala Easwara, Singabesar,
Kulakkarai Peruman can be seen. To the north of Moolavar (main deity) around
the corridor nine Lingas (108, 1008 Lingas) can be worshipped for glory.
Temple
Tank is called as Itta Chitha Theertham. One who has taken a dip here is
blessed by Lord Shiva. Those who have a glance at it, and those who dip and
have a bath here or sprinkle its holy waters around themselves are blessed with
benevolence, wealth, bliss and salvation according to Sivagnana Munivar.
A dip in
this holy tank on Sunday brings child to the childless and wife to those
longing for wife. It cures the sick making them strong to live long. It grants
knowledge and awards wealth to the poor. The unemployed are offered employment
as per the words of Madhava Sivagnana Munivar on the tank.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 7.30 am to 11.30 noon and 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm.
Contact
Sundarambigai
Sametha Kachabeshvarar Temple,
Kanchipuram,
Kanchipuram District
Phone: 044-2746 4325
Connectivity
Karchapeshwarar
Temple is adjacent to Kanthakottam Temple. The Temple is about 4 Km away from
Kanchi bus stand, 1 km away from Inchambakkam railway station and 5 km from
Kanchipuram Railway station. Chennai is the nearest airport and is located at a
distance of 75 kms.
References