Ona Kantheeswarar Temple,
Panjupettai – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with three tiered Rajagopuram. The entire temple complex is situated in elevated area. The temple covers an area of about 860 sq. feet and has single prakaram. This temple has three sanctums housing three Shiva Lingams in these shrines.
Oneswarar
Shrine:
Nandhi and Balipeedam can be found immediately after the Rajagopuram facing the sanctum of Oneswarar. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Idol of Saint Sundarar and the feet of Lord Shiva can be found in the Arthamandapam. Dvarapalas made of stucco can be seen guarding the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Oneswarar / Ona Kantheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Lingam is big in size with irregular surface. Sculpture of Lord Shiva and Parvathy in marriage posture can be seen in the wall behind the Lingam. Bala Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Vishnu Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Dakshinamoorthy can be seen accompanied by Sanakathi Sages and he kept his right leg on Muyalagan. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location.
Kantheeswarar
Shrine:
Kantheeswarar Shrine is situated to the right side of Ona Kantheeswarar Shrine. Nandhi and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and pillared Mukha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Kantheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
There are no Koshta Idols located around Kantheeswarar Shrine. Omkara Ganapthy on the right side and Subramanya on the left side can be seen at the entrance of Ardha Mandapam. Devotees place their ears close to Omkara Ganapathy to hear the sacred mantra Ohm.
Jalandareswarar
Shrine:
Jalandreswarar Shrine is situated to the right side of Kantheeswarar Shrine. This Shrine can be accessed through an entrance on prakaram wall on the right side of Kantheeswarar Shrine. Nandhi and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and pillared Mukha Mandapam.
Presiding Deity is called as Jalandareswarar / Salanthareswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. There are no Koshta Idols located around Kantheeswarar Shrine. There are shrines for Ganapathy, Subramanya and Chandikeswarar in the prakaram of this shrine.
Mother
Shrine:
As in other temples in Kanchipuram, there is no
separate shrine of Parvathi as it is believed that Kamakshi
of Kanchipuram Kamakshi Temple is considered as common Parvathi
shrine for all Shiva temples.
Other
Shrines:
There are shrines for Vayirudhari Vinayaga, Kumara Velan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Bhairava, Surya, Navagrahas, Saptha Naga Kannigais, Aghora Veerabhadra and Nalvar in the temple premises. Vayirudhari Vinayagar had been mentioned in the hymns of Thirugnana Sambandar.
Theerthams:
Theerthams associated with this temple are Onakantha Theertham and Thanthondri Theertham. Thanthondri Theertham is situated outside the temple premises.
Sthala
Vriksham:
Sthala Vriksham associated with this temple are Vanni and Tamarind Trees.
