Kachaleeswarar Temple, George Town – Legends
Dalavai
Chettiar:
After worshipping Lord Shiva as Kachaleeswarar at
Kanchipuram, Dalavai Chettiar, a devotee was returning home. It was raining
heavily and the River Paalaaru was in spate. He became anxious as he had to
return home to look after some important business. The heavy rains continued
for a week and even after it stopped, it took another week for the waters in
the river to subside. The devotee placed his faith in Lord Siva and prayed
fervently and finally, when the waters receded, he returned home.
To his utter surprise all the jobs that had needed his
attention were completed satisfactorily. Lord Shiva had assumed the devotee’s
persona and had finished all the work. In gratitude, the devotee performed the Shivalinga
pooja and then built a temple for Kachabeswarar in Chennai. It took him eight
years and the temple was completed in 1720 CE. In due course, the name of the
Lord became Kachaleeswarar.
Pancha Vahana
Sivan:
When devas and asuras churned the Milk Ocean, the
Manthira mountain that was used as the churning stick got drowned in the
ocean. At that time, Lord Vishnu took the form of a tortoise and supported
the churning stick, Manthira mountain. Lord Siva worshipped by him
then is called ‘Kachabeswarar’ or ‘Kachaleeswarar’. ‘Kachapa’ means
tortoise. The lingam here is on the five seats, Koormam (tortoise), Nagam
(snake), Simham (lion), Yugas (the eons) and Padmam (lotus).
Such appearance of Lord Siva is a rare
sight. Those who have ‘Sarpa Dosham’ (snake curse) and those who are
afraid of poisonous creatures can perform abhishekam to this Lord and worship. Behind
this lingam on the sanctum wall is Sadasivamurthy. The belief is to
worship this form of Lord Siva and the formless Linga together in the same
sanctum will alleviate all sins and render Mukti.