Hiranyeswarar Temple,
Kanchipuram
Hiranyeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Hiranyeswarar and Mother is called as Kamakshi. The temple is situated on the western bank of the Sarva Theertham Tank. This is one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is also called as Hiranyesam.
Legends
Hiranyakasipu was an Asura and King
of the Daityas from
the Puranic
scriptures of Hinduism. His name literally translates to
"Clothed in gold" (Hiranya (gold) Kasipu (soft cushion)),
depicting someone one who is fond of wealth. Asura Guru Sukracharya advised him
to get blessings of Lord Shiva to achieve superior status. According to his Sukracharya
advice, he went to Kanchi along with his brother Hiranyaksha,
his son Ananthasuran and his own son Prahalada. Each one of them installed
Shiva Linga in their respective names and worshipped Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva, who was much pleased by Hiranyakasipu
devotion to him, granted him away a very powerful boon which assured him
protection of life (his life) against any harm to his life on earth, in the
sky, by weapons, animals, creatures or by any other power in any place-in a dry
place or in a wet place (day or night). In short, he was blessed with
everlasting life. No power in the three worlds could do anything to destroy
him. Moreover, he was able to gain mastery over the three worlds.
History
The temple is believed to be built by Pallavas in 8th
Century CE.
The Temple
The Temple is situated on the western bank of the Sarva
Theertham Tank. This temple is facing towards east. Balipeedam and Nandi can be
found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Ardha Mandapam and
Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Hiranyeswarar and is facing east. He is
housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lingam is housed in a square
Avudaiyar.
Linga is having sixteen stripes on it. This type of
Linga is called as Shodasa Linga. Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Uma
Maheswarar and Durga are the Koshta idols located around sanctum walls. The
Vimana over the sanctum is of tiers. Kamakshi Amman of Kanchi Kamakshi temple
is considered as the consort of Lord Shiva.
Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;
https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2020/10/hiranyeswarar-temple-kanchipuram-connectivity.html
