Tamilnadu Tourism: Kowsikeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Kowsikeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Kowsikeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Kowsikeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is also called as Chokkeeswarar Temple. Presiding Deity is called as Kowsikeswarar / Chokkeeswarar and Mother is called as Kamakshi. The temple is situated on the south east corner of Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple near to Kamakshi Amman Marriage Hall. This is one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is also called as Kowshikesam / Chokkeesam.

Legends

Kowsiki, born from the sweat of Goddess Parvathi’s brow, worshipped Lord Shiva here. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Kowsikeswarar and the place came to be called as Kowshikesam.

History

The temple is believed to be built by Uthama Chola during 9^th Century AD. A pillar with an inscription belonging to the period of Uthama Chola had been excavated from this place. It is one of the protected monuments in Tamil Nadu declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east. It is completely built with granite stones. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Ardha Mandapam and Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Kowsikeswarar / Chokkeeswarar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around sanctum walls. Vinayaga of the Koshta is called as Karikala Pillaiyar.

Relief of Dakshinamurthy and Narasimha can be found in the Vimana. Kamakshi Amman of Kanchi Kamakshi temple is considered as the consort of Lord Shiva. Naga Idols can be found under the Peepal tree. There are reliefs of an elephant, Kowsiki (devotee of Goddess Parvathi), Kannappa Nayanar legend, Vali & Sugriva worshipping Lord Shiva & Parvathi, and Lord Vinayaka worshipping his parents can be found in the temple walls.