Mathala Mathavesuvarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Mathala Mathavesuvarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Mathala Mathavesuvarar Temple is a Hindu Shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located inside Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Mathala Mathavesuvarar. This is one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is also called as Mattalamadhavasham. 

Legends

Lord Vishnu after witnessing the cosmic dance of Lord Shiva in Chidambaram had a desire to play Mathalam (drum) during his cosmic dance. To fulfil his wish, he prayed to Lord Shiva for seeking his permission. Lord Shiva pleased by his prayers commanded Lord Vishnu to go to Kanchi and worship him. Obliging Lord Shiva command, he came to Kanchi and started worshipping Lord Shiva by installing a Lingam called Mathala Mathavesuvarar. Delighted Lord Shiva performed Kaapu Nadanam. As Lord Shiva was dancing, Lord Vishnu beat the holy drum according to the divine movements of Lord Shiva.

The Temple

This Shrine is situated in the inner prakaram surrounding the sanctum of Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple. It is located close to  Arumugam Shrine and next to Markandeswarar Lingam.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2019/11/ekambareswarar-temple-kanchipuram-connectivity.html

Markandeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Markandeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Markandeswarar Temple is a Hindu Shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located inside Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Markandeswarar. This is one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is also called as Markandesam.

Legends

It is believed that Sage Markandeya worshipped this Shiva Linga.

The Temple

This Shrine is situated in the inner prakaram surrounding the sanctum of Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple. It is located close to  Mattalamadhavasham.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2019/11/ekambareswarar-temple-kanchipuram-connectivity.html

Agastheeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Agastheeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Agastheeswarar Temple is a Hindu Shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located inside Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar. This is one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is also called as Agastheeswaram.

Legends

According to one legend, the Vindhya mountain once competed with the Mount Meru, growing so high that it obstructed the sun. The sage Agastya then asked Vindhya to lower itself, in order to facilitate his passage across to the south. In reverence for Agastya, the Vindhya lowered its height and promised not to grow until Agastya returned to the north. Agastya settled in the south, and the Vindhya mountain, true to its word, never grew further. The Sage then went to Kanchipuram and sang hymns in praise of Lord Ekambareswarar. He installed a Shiva Lingam to the south of sanctum of Ekambareswarar Temple in his name. Finally, he settled in Podhigai Mountain.

The Temple

This Shrine is situated to the south of sanctum of Ekambareswarar Temple. It is located on the platform in the inner prakaram around the sanctum.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2019/11/ekambareswarar-temple-kanchipuram-connectivity.html

Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Religious Significance, Religious Practices & Festivals

Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Religious Significance, Religious Practices & Festivals

Religious Significance:

Divyadesams:

The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Azhwar in one hymn. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. In a verse referring to Kachi Oorakam and Tiruvekkaa (both in Kanchipuram) Thirumangai Azhwar refers to Neeragam, Nilathingal Thundam, Kaaragam , Kaarvaanam and Kalvanur. Nilathingal Thundam is a shrine in the Kanchi Ekambareswarar Temple, Neeragam, Kaaragam and Kaarvaanam are shrines in the Ulagalantha Perumal Temple (Oorakam). Kalvanoor is the name of the shrine to Vishnu (Aadi Varaha Perumal) in the Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple.

Saivite Priests:

The temple is one of the two rare Divyadesams, with the other being Govindaraja Perumal Temple, that are housed in a Shiva temple. Only Saivite priests perform rituals in the temple.

Religious Practices:

The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Being inside the premises of a Shiva temple, the priests belong to the Saivite community. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Ushathkalam at 7 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 10:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), naivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Nilathingal Thundam Perumal. During the last step of worship, Nadaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast.

Festivals:

There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. Lord bearing the light of moon, every Poornima day – full moon day is a festival day in the temple. Purattasi Saturdays of September-October and 10 days Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January are other festivals observed in the temple.

Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – The Temple

Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – The Temple

Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Temple is a small shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located inside Ekambareswarar Temple Complex. Lord Vishnu graces the devotee in Vamana Moorthy. The shrine is praised in Nalayira Divya Prabandham and hence, considered as one of the 108 Divya Desams. The shrine is situated to the north east of Ekambareswarar shrine within the inner prakara of the Ekambareswarar temple. This Temple is the only temple of Lord Vishnu where the poojas are done by the Saivite priests.

Presiding Deity is called as Nilathingal Thundathan / Chandra Chooda Perumal. He is in standing posture with Sapthagnaga. This shrine faces West, while the Ekambareswarar shrine faces the East. As Lord was cured by Lord Shiva, pujas to Perumal are performed in accordance with Saivite codes.  To reduce the excessive heat in his body, perfumed oil is applied instead of abisheks.  

Mother is called as Ner Oruvar Illavalli Nachiyar / Nilathingal Thunda Thaayar. As he came alone here for a remedy, there is no shrine for Mother.  However, Mother Mahalakshmi is worshipped in a formless manner (Ner Uru Illa Thai – Mother without a form as she is believed merged with the Lord). There is no separate shrine for the consort of Lord Vishnu, neither there is any separate festival image. 

Mother Mahalakshmi has her abode in the heart of Lord Vishnu on the left.  Here, she graces the devotee from the naval chord lotus of the Lord generally belonging to Lord Brahma. The Vimanam (tower above the sanctum sanctorum) of Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple is called as Purusha Suktha Vimanam. The Pushkarini (temple tank) of this Temple is called as Chandra Pushkarini.

Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Legends

Nilathingal Thundam Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Legends

Nila Thingal Thundathan:

Legend has it that once Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva was cursed to become dark like Kali. She wanted to expatiate herself from the sin by doing penance under the temple's ancient Mango tree near Vegavathi river. In order to test her devotion Lord Shiva opened his third eye causing the tree under which Goddess Parvati was doing penance to get fired. Goddess Parvati prayed to her brother, Lord Vishnu, for help.

In order to save her, Lord Vishnu took the crescent from Shiva's head and reflected the rays which then cooled down the tree as well as Parvati. Shiva wanted to test Parvati again and sent the river Ganga (Ganges) to disrupt her penance. Parvati prayed to Ganga and convinced her that both of them were sisters and so she should not harm her. Subsequently, Ganga did not disturb her penance and Parvati made a Shiva Linga out of sand to get united with Shiva. Shiva came to be known as Ekambareswarar or "Lord of Mango Tree" and Vishnu as Nila Thingal Thundathan.

Vishnu prayed to Lord Shiva for curing his blackened Skin:

Lord Maha Vishnu took the form of Tortoise (Koorma Avatara) to the hold the Meru Mount used as the stick (Mathu in Tamil) to churn the milk ocean.  Serpent Vasuki was used as the rope.  Vasuki, exhausted during this exercise, split its venom which fell on the Tortoise Vishnu under the milk ocean blackening his skin originally alluring pale blue. Treatments were of no use. Lord Brahma suggested that worshipping Lord Shiva will remove the blackness and restore his original shade. Lord Vishnu performed penance on Lord Shiva, who granted darshan.  

Crescent Moon on the head of Lord Shiva spread his rays on Perumal. Black disappeared. He recovered his own alluring blue shining better than before. As Lord Vishnu got back his skin colour as before through rays of Moon, He is praised as Nila Thunda (crescent moon) Perumal / Chandra Soodiya Perumal.  The shrine is in the Eesanya corner (north east) of the temple. This is a temple within another temple (Vishnu temple in Shiva temple). This is praised as one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu.

Vellakambar Temple, Kanchipuram

Vellakambar Temple, Kanchipuram

Vellakambar Temple is a Hindu Shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located inside Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Vellakambar. This is one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is also called as Vellakambam.

Legends

In the inner prakaram surrounding the sanctum of Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple, there are unique three Lingams namely Kallakambar (left side of sanctum), Vellakambar (right side of sanctum) and Nallakambar (North East to the sanctum) present. Kallakambar was worshipped by Lord Vishnu, Nallakambar was worshipped by Rudra and Vellakambar was worshipped by Lord Brahma.

The Temple

Presiding Deity is called as Vellakambar. He is housed in a right-side hall located opposite to the 63 Nayanmars Shrine in Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple. This shrine is situated to the right side of the sanctum.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2019/11/ekambareswarar-temple-kanchipuram-connectivity.html

Nallakambar Temple, Kanchipuram

Nallakambar Temple, Kanchipuram

Nallakambar Temple is a Hindu Shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located inside Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Nallakambar. This is one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is also called as Nallakambam.

Legends

In the inner prakaram surrounding the sanctum of Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple, there are unique three Lingams namely Kallakambar (left side of sanctum), Vellakambar (right side of sanctum) and Nallakambar (North East to the sanctum) present. Kallakambar was worshipped by Lord Vishnu, Nallakambar was worshipped by Rudra and Vellakambar was worshipped by Lord Brahma.

The Temple

Presiding Deity is called as Nallakambar. The shrine is situated to the northeast of the sanctum. It is located close to Nilathingal Thunda Perumal Shrine, a Divyadesam located inside Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2019/11/ekambareswarar-temple-kanchipuram-connectivity.html

Mayavaneeswarar Temple (Kallakambam), Kanchipuram

Mayavaneeswarar Temple (Kallakambam), Kanchipuram

Mayavaneeswarar Temple is a Hindu Shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located inside Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Mayavaneeswarar / Kallakambar. This is one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is also called as Kallakambam.

Legends

In the inner prakaram surrounding the sanctum of Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple, there are unique three Lingams namely Kallakambar (left side of sanctum), Vellakambar (right side of sanctum) and Nallakambar (North East to the sanctum) present. Kallakambar was worshipped by Lord Vishnu, Nallakambar was worshipped by Rudra and Vellakambar was worshipped by Lord Brahma.

The Temple

Presiding Deity is called as Mayavaneeswarar / Kallakambar. The shrine is situated in a small Mandapam in the inner prakaram of the sanctum in Kanchipuram Ekambaranathar Temple. It is located next to Mattalamadhavasham.

Connectivity

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2019/11/ekambareswarar-temple-kanchipuram-connectivity.html

Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram – Connectivity

Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram – Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Kanchipuram Bus Stand, 1 Km from Kanchipuram Railway Station and 2 Kms from Kanchipuram East Railway Station. The temple is situated in Big Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is located at about 18 Kms from Walajabad, 31 Kms from Sriperumbudur, 40 Kms from Chengalpattu, 60 Kms from Chennai Airport, 67 Kms from Mahabalipuram and 72 Kms from Chennai.

By Road:

Kanchipuram is most easily accessible by road. The Chennai – Bangalore National Highway, NH 4 passes the outskirts of the city. Daily bus services are provided by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation to and from Chennai, Bangalore, Villupuram, Salem, Tirupati, Thiruthani, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Coimbatore, Tindivanam and Pondicherry. There are two major bus routes to Chennai, one connecting via Poonamallee and the other via Tambaram.

The Tamil Nadu state government operated transport corporation runs buses from Kanchipuram to most major towns in Tamil Nadu. Buses from Chennai leave for Kanchipuram every fifteen minutes from the Koyambedu interstate bus terminal. There is also an air-conditioned bus service numbered Z576 from 5.00 AM to 6.00 PM, which departs from the T-Nagar bus terminal every hour. Buses from Bangalore leave for Kanchipuram seven times a day.

By Train:

The city is also connected to the railway network through the Kanchipuram railway station. The Chengalpattu – Arakkonam railway line passes through Kanchipuram and travellers can access services to those destinations. Daily trains are provided to Pondicherry and Tirupati, and there is a weekly express train to Madurai and a bi-weekly express train to Nagercoil. Two passenger trains from both sides of Chengalpattu and Arakkonam pass via Kanchipuram.

By Air:

Nearest domestic as well as international airport is Chennai International Airport.