Mahalingeswarar Temple,
Kanchipuram
Mahalingeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Maha Lingeswarar and Mother is called as Kamakshi. The Temple is situated in a small lane branching out from Apparao Mudaliar Street in big Kanchipuram (Periya Kancheepuram). This is one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is also called as Maha Lingesam.
Legends
Once Brahma (the god of creation) and Vishnu (the
god of protection) had an argument over supremacy of creation. To settle the
debate, Supreme God Shiva pierced the three worlds appearing as a
huge Infinite Pillar of Light and asked to find the starting and ending the
pillar of light. Vishnu and Brahma split their ways to downwards and upwards
respectively to find the end of the light in either direction. Brahma lied that
he found out the end, while Vishnu conceded his defeat. This lie of Brahma
angered Shiva making him curse Brahma that even though he is the creator of the
universe he would not be worshipped. Both Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma
installed this Maha Lingam together and worshipped it.
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance
arch. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum
Sanctorum consists of Sanctum and Ardha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as
Maha Lingeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of
Lingam. Kamakshi Amman of Kanchi Kamakshi temple is considered as the consort
of Lord Shiva. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Murugan, Chandikeswarar,
Navagrahas, Ragu and Ketu in the temple premises.
Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;
