Sarva Teertham Tank, Kanchipuram
Sarva
Teertham is a holy tank, on the route that leads to Vellore,
in Kanchipuram.
What Maha Magam tank is to Kumbakonam, Sarva Teertham tank was to Kanchipuram.
It is surrounded by a number of Shiva temples; each of them must be centuries
old. Kasiviswanathar Temple, Theertheswarar Temple, Kameswarar Temple, Rameswarar
Temple, Lakshmanaeswarar Temple, Mallikarjuneswarar Temple, Iranyeshwara Temple
and Gangevarecharam temple are located on the banks of this tank.
A barbed
wire fence surrounds the tank. The sacred hall here offers facilities for
meditation related programs. Legend is that, the tank was formed from the holy
rivers that once stayed here and worshipped Lord Shiva as Theertheswarar. The
water that accumulated here got the name Sarvatheertham, meaning 'all holy
water.' The Sarvatheertham is believed to be a remover of sins. This tank was
held in high esteem by the Kanchi Paramacharya. The Mahasamadhi of Upanishad Brahman
is also located in its banks.
