Katchabeswarar - Kanchipuram

Piththaa pirai soodi perumane arulaalaa

Eththal maravaadhe ninaikkindren manathunnai

Vaiththaai pennai thenpaal vennai nalloor aruththurayul

Aththa vunakku aalai ini alleen enal aame

Off to catch the darshan of the Peruman who wears the half moon in his head. Took the poonamalee route from Chennai to get all the way to Kanchipuram - sanctuary for temples.

Katchabeswarar along with Sundarambigai throne the temple. When we say along it is actually 'along', they give a darshan together and not in separate sannidhis. The main deity Katchabeswarar is in the form of lingam and the crown is the shape of a cone rather than normal cylindrical lingam.

Katchabeswarar is made up of sand says the priest. Hence the abhishegam happened to the deities behind who are Katchabeswarar and Sundarambigai amman. We had the couples darshan in Velli kappu.

The temple exhibits ancientness. When inquired, we came to know it dates all the way back to 7th century BC. The flooring and architecture stands proof to this.

Katchabeswarar here was worshiped by Vishnu in his tortoise (koorma) avatar hence the Easwarar came to be know Katchabeshwarar.

This temple comes under the TN government's Hindu Aranilaya Thirai and so the Annadhana thittam.

While going around the outer paragharam - there is Nandi near kodimaram.

The temple tank,

Vinayagar Sannidhi,

Temple's huge corridor,

This temple with Suryan's blessing is believed to cure diseases due to excess cold. Devotees pray with Manda Vilaku (Diya in the head). Many kids and adults too carry the diya in a small plate along with coconut in their head praying to Katchabeswarar for a disease free life.

Devotees make it during karthigai month (nov mid to dec mid) to offer the manda vilaku nerthi (prayer).

Kanchipuram is growing towards a city culture while holding most sacred treasure of temples within itself.

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