Kachabeswarar Temple,
Kanchipuram – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram on the northern entrance and has three prakarams. There is another five tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Balipeedam, Dhwaja Sthambam and Nandhi can be found in front this Rajagopuram. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam.
Presiding Deity is called as Kachabeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swaymbhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Somaskanda panel can be seen behind the Linga on the back wall of the sanctum. Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
Mother is called as Sundarambigai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Shrines of Chandrasekarar, 63 Nayanmars, Polla Pillaiyar, Nalvar, Murugan, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Aadhikesava Perumal, Ashta Bhuja Saraswathy, Navagrahas, Bhairava, Lingas, 108 Lingas, Sahasra Linga and Utsava idols can be seen in the inner prakaram.
Shrine of Lord Satyamozhi Vinayakar, worshipped by Lord Vishnu can be found to the west of the sanctum. He is also praised as Poyya Mozhi Pillaiyar. Shrines for Chaturmukheswarar, Yoga Siddheeswarar, Gnana Siddheeswarar, Nataraja and Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena in the second prakaram.
Shrines for Durga, Bhairavar, Suryan, Pancha Santhi Vinayaga, Lingabeswarar, Yuga Siddheeswarar, Padhaleeswarar, Dharma Sastha with his consorts Poorna & Pushkala, Jalakandeswarar, Naga idols under Peepal tree and Hero stones can be seen in the outer prakaram. Sthala Vriksham is Banyan tree. Hence, the temple is also referred as Alala Koil. It is situated in the outer prakaram.
The temple tank, Ishta Siddhi Theertham can be found immediately on the right side after the Rajagopuram. Ishta Siddhi Theertham contains Dharma Theertham, Ardha Theertham, Kama Theertham and Mukthi Theertham. There are four shrines of Lord Shiva around the temple tank, Ishta Siddhi Theertham, namely Dharma Siddheswarar, Kama Siddheswarar, Artha Siddheeswarar and Moksha Siddheswarar.
