Sarva Teertham Tank, Kanchipuram

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.