Kachabeswarar
Temple, Kanchipuram – Legends
Kachabeswarar:
Indra, the King
of Svarga, while riding on the elephant Airavata, came across
Sage Durvasa who offered him a special garland given to him by a
nymph. Indra accepted the gift and placed it on the trunk of the elephant as a
test to prove that he was not an egoistic deva. The flowers on it had a scent
that attracted some bees. Annoyed by the bees, Airavata threw the garland on
the ground. This enraged the sage as the garland was a dwelling of Lakshmi (fortune)
and was to be treated as a prasada or religious offering.
Durvasa cursed Indra and all
devas to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune. In battles following
the incident, the Devas were defeated and the Asuras, led by Bali,
gained control over the universe. The Devas sought Lord Vishnu's help, who
advised them to treat the Asuras in a diplomatic manner. The Devas formed an
alliance with the Asuras to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of
immortality and to share it among themselves. However, Vishnu told the devas
that he would arrange for them alone to obtain the nectar.
During the churning of the Ocean of Milk (Samudra
Manthana), Mount Mandara was used as the churning rod, and Vasuki, a
Nagaraja who abides on Lord Shiva's neck, became the churning rope. When the mountain was placed in the ocean, it
began to sink. Vishnu, in the form of Kurma (turtle), came to their
rescue and supported the mountain on his shell. This helped the celestial
beings to get Amrutha. It made Lord Vishnu to think his efforts succeeded in
getting Amrutha from the sea. Out of arrogance, Lord Vishnu in the form of turtle
stirred the waters of the ocean.
Thus, making the living beings
and celestial beings to suffer from the increase in water levels. Hence, Devas
went to Lord Shiva to rein in Lord Vishnu. Lord Shiva destroyed the turtle and
strung its shell on the sacred garland worn about his neck. Lord Vishnu, who
regretted for his act, came to Kanchi and worshipped Lord Shiva and got his blessings.
Further, Lord Shiva made Lord Vishnu to reassume the leadership of Vaikunda. As
Lord Shiva was worshipped by Lord Vishnu in the form of turtle (Kachabam), Lord
Shiva came to be called as Kachabeswarar.
Jyotirlinga:
Once, Lord Shiva destroyed
Pancha Bhoodas, Vishnu, Brahma, celestial beings and all living beings. Lord
Shiva performed his cosmic dance in the universe in front of Mother Parvathy.
When he decided to create the universe back, he came to Kanchipuram as it was
not destroyed during the destruction. He manifested in Jyotirlinga in
Kanchipuram and created Pancha Bhoodas, Vishnu, Brahma, celestial beings and
all living beings, Lord Brahma along with his consort Saraswathy worshipped the
Jyotirlinga
(Kachabeswarar) and got his creation job here.
Lord Shiva fed Sundarar here:
As per legend, Lord Shiva in
the guise of a brahmin performed Bhiksha to feed his devotee Nayanmar Sundarar who
was tired and hungry due to his strenuous journey to the
temple.
People worshipped Lord Shiva here:
It is believed that Vishnu, Brahma, Saraswathi, Durga, Ayyanar, Suryan, Bairavar and Vinayaka have worshipped Lord Shiva here.