Gauthameswarar
Temple, Kanchipuram
Gauthameswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kanchipuram City in
Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is
called as Gauthameswarar and Mother is called as Kamakshi. This Temple is
considered as one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The
Temple is also called Gauthamesam. This Temple is considered as seventh Temple
in Saptha Sthana Temples of Kanchipuram.
Legends
Once, Seven sages (Athiri, Kucha, Vasishta, Brighu, Gautama,
Kashyapa and Angira) performed penance on Lord Brahma in Himalayas. Lord Brahma
appeared before them and shared his divine knowledge with them. Lord Brahma,
during the course of his divine advice to the seven sages laid emphasis on the
greatness of Lord Shiva and Kanchipuram. Lord Brahma stated that a good deed
done at Kanchipuram is equal to many good deeds done at other places.
As per Lord Brahma advice, the seven Sages went to
Kanchipuram, took bath in Sivaganga Theertham of Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple
and installed Shiva Lingas under their respective names. These temples are
collectively called as Saptha Sthana Temples of Kanchipuram. It is said that
Gauthama Rishi installed and worshipped Shiva Linga at this Temple. Hence Lord
Shiva of this temple are called as Gauthameswarar. This Temple
is considered as seventh Saptha Sthana temples of Kanchipuram.
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east. Presiding Deity is
called as Gauthameswarar and is facing east.
He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Bana Linga under Arasa Maram
(Peepal tree). Nandi can be found facing the Linga. Few Idols like Vinayaga and
Nagas can be found in the sanctum. Avudaiyar is housed in another shrine in
front of the sanctum.
Dakshinamoorthy, Brahma and Vishnu are the Koshta idols
located around this shrine. This shrine consists of Sanctum and Mukha Mandapam.
This shrine is situated in front of Gauthameswarar Shrine. As in other temples
in Kanchipuram, there is no separate shrine of Parvathi as it is believed
that Kamakshi of Kanchipuram Kamakshi Temple is the common Parvathi shrine
for all Shiva temples.