Thirugnana Sambandar Temple,
Kanchipuram
Thirugnana Sambandar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Thirugnana Sambandar, one of the celebrated 63 Nayanmars located in Pillaiyarpalayam, a well-known locality in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu, India. This Temple is considered as one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam.
Legends
As per legend, Once, Lord Vishnu reclining in Milk Ocean
had a desire to have the form of Shiva Linga. He approached Lord Shiva for the
purpose. Lord Shiva pleaded inability. But Lord Vishnu did not give in and
began penance on Lord Shiva. Surprised at his determination, Lord Shiva
told Vishnu that he could have his wish by performing penance at this place on
his Swayambhu facing west.
Further, Lord Shiva informed Lord Vishnu that he had to
continue his penance till Sambandar visits the place and sings praise of him.
Lord Vishnu came to this place, began penance facing east in a standing form
after a bath in Vegavathi River. Saint Thirugnana Sambandar visited
Mettraliyur and saw Lord Vishnu standing in penance. The saint thought it was
Lord Shiva as he was at the back. Saint Thirugnana Sambandar began singing in
praise of the Lord.
Lord Vishnu in penance was moved by the divine melody
and began to melt. Lord Vishnu attained the Linga form due to the melting, but
his feet remained. As Lord Vishnu began to melt at the singing of the saint, Lord
Shiva came to be called as Odha Urugeeswarar (Odha-singing, Urugu-melting,
Easwarar-Lord Shiva). The deity at the Urugeeswarar temple was thus
originally Vishnu, who was mesmerized by the devotion of Sambandar and
changed to Lord Shiva.
Both the Shiva Linga and holy feet of Lord Vishnu can be
seen in the Odha Urugeeswarar Shrine. It is believed that Saint Thirugnana
Sambandar, sang his hymns in praise of Lord Shiva in Thirumetralinaadhar Temple
from the end of the street has his shrine there itself. As the saint is also
known as Aludaipillayar and Sambanda Pillayar, the place is also named Pillayar
Palayam. The place also has a name Pachimalayam. Strangely, the hymns of
Sambandar on Lord Shiva of Metraleeswarar temple are not yet found.
The Temple
This temple is facing towards east. This Shrine consists
of Ardha Mandapam and Sanctum. The Sanctum houses an idol of Thirugnana
Sambandar. He is standing posture with his hands joined together (Anjali posture)
facing Lord Shiva in Metraleeswarar temple.
Connectivity
For brief details, please refer below link;
