Aadhipatheeswarar Temple,
Kanchipuram – Legends
As per legend, once there was an argument
between Saraswathi, the consort
of Brahma and Lakshmi on superiority. They went
to Indra, the king of celestial deities. Indra judged Lakshmi as superior
and not satisfied with his argument, Saraswathi went to her husband, Brahma. He
also chose Lakshmi to be the superior one. Saraswathi was unhappy with the
decision and decided to stay away from Brahma.
Brahma did a severe penance praying to Vishnu and did
an Aswamedha Yagna. Saraswathi was still angry that the yagna, which
usually is done along with consorts was done alone by Brahma. She was on the
way to Kanchipuram to disrupt the penance under the guise of Vegavathi river.
Lord Shiva instructed Lord Vishnu to stop her from obstructing the yagna of
Lord Brahma.
As instructed, Lord Vishnu waited for her in Kanchipuram
in the form of light. During his waiting, he installed a Shiva Linga,
worshipped and got a boon to thwart the attempts of Saraswathi. The Linga installed by Lord Vishnu came to be
called as Aadhipatheeswarar and the place came to be called as Aadhipathesam.
Lord Vishnu successfully interfered, stopped Saraswathi and saved the yagna of
Lord Brahma.