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Thursday, January 7, 2021

Thirugnana Sambandar Temple, Kanchipuram

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;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/01/thirugnana-sambandar-temple-kanchipuram-connectivity.html

Location