26. SRI KACHABESWARAR AND SRI MARUNDHEESWARAR TEMPLES AT THIRUKACHUR (ALAKKOIL)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	26th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Thondai Naadu
Thondai Naadu	26th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

This is a twin temple - Sri Kachabeswarar temple is at the foothill and in the midst of the village and the other one is Sri Maruntheeswar temple, which at the top of a small hill at a distance of about one kilometre. As the sacred tree of this temple is the banyan tree (Kal-ala Maram in Tamil), this temple is also known as Alakkoil. This placed is known as “Alakkoil”

This temple finds a reference in the “Samudra Manthan” episode in the Hindu mythology. The Samudra Manthan (literally translated as churning of the ocean) explains the origin of “amrit” – the nectar of immortality. It is believed that when the celestial gods (Devas) tried to churn the ocean using the “Mandhara hill” as the churning rod (mathu), the hill began to sink.

To hold the hill in its place, Lord Mahavishnu incarnated as a tortoise (Kachaba) and supported the hill on his back. However, in order to accomplish this task, it is believed that Lord Mahavishnu came to Thirukachur, created a spring, bathed in it and prayed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva gave Lord Mahavishnu his blessings to complete his endeavour. Hence Lord Shiva here is named “Kachabeswarar” and this place is known as Thirukachur.

The temple was believed to have been constructed in the Chola period by the Chola King Kulothungan-I. This is a typical Chola period temple with beautifully engraved pillars, sculptures and halls (mandapams). Lots of engraved reliefs depicting the history of the temple can also be seen on the pillars. 

SRI KACHABESWARAR TEMPLE (HISTORY):

Saint Sundarar:

Another legend associated with this place is that Saint Sundarar, after visiting Thirukkazhukkundram, came to Thirukachur. Due to long arduous journey, Sundarar and his followers were tired and hungry. They decided to rest for a while in the 16 pillar Mandapam near this temple’s tank. It is believed that Lord Shiva came there in the form of an old man and advised them to wait for a while so he could bring them some food. It was believed that the old man went out with his bowl (Thiru Odu) for begging, collected food and came back to offer it to them.

While Sundarar and his followers were eating the food, the old man suddenly disappeared. Sundarar realized that the old man was none other than Lord Shiva himself and rendered a hymn (Pathigam) exclaiming his shock and grief that the lord took the form of a beggar in order to feed them.

Saint Sundarar while rendering his pathigam about Lord Kachabeswarar, also mentioned about Lord Marundheeswarar (the lord in the temple at the top of the hill). While praising Lord Marundheeswarar, Sundarar said that both the lord and hill itself are a form of sacred medicine.The hall (Mandapam) where Sundarar and his follower took rest can still be seen.

SRI MARUNDHEESWARAR TEMPLE (HISTORY):

Lord Indira was suffering effects of curse:

Lord Indira (the king of celestial gods) was suffering from the adverse effects of some curse he had incurred. Even the reputed physicians from the celestial world failed to cure him. They came to earth in search of a cure. Maharshi Narada advised them to pray to Lord Shiva in the “Oushada Giri” at Thirukachur. Their prayers were answered and Lord Shiva directed them to a medicinal herb that would cure Indira.

However, when the physicians try to procure the herb they found that the place was engulfed by darkness. Goddess Parvathi came to their rescue and lit up the place to enable them to find the herbs. They found the herbs - Bala and Athibala, took it to the celestial world and successfully cured Lord Indira. The Goddess here is praised as “Irul Neekkia Ambal” – the one who drove darkness away.

SALIENT FEATURE:

SRI KACHABESWARAR TEMPLE:

·        The sanctum tower (Vimanam) of Lord Shiva here is of Gajabrushta form (looks like the back of an elephant).

·        Thirukachur is mentioned as “Aadhi Kanchi” in Kanchi Puranam.

·        There are five separate lingams in the corridors -  Ramanathar, Naganathar, Soleeswarar, Margasakayar and Kasi Visvanathar. 

·        A small Shiva shrine outside this temple called “Irandeeswarar” (“Irandha” in Tamil meaning begging). 

·        This temple for Lord Vinayakar called Thalamoola Vinayakar (Karukkadi Vinayakar). Those aspiring for excellence in arts can worship Lord Vinayakar here. 

·        This is one of the important Thyagaraja Swamy temples (the other important ones being -Thiruvotriyur, Thiruvarur and Thiruvanmiyur).

·        It is believed that Lord Shiva staged his “Ajaba Dance” here for Lord Mahavishnu. 

·        The Sanskrit word “Anjana” can be translated as eyes and the Goddess at this temple is believed to be protecting her devotees as if they were her own eyes. Hence the Goddess gets the name “Anjanakshi”. This Ambal is also praised as Sundaravalli. 

SRI MARUNDHEESWARAR TEMPLE:

·        Lord Brahma worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. The unique aspect of this temple is that the idol of Chandikeswarar in this temple has four faces similar to Lord Brahma. Hence Chandikeswarar here is also referred to as Brahma- Chandikeswarar.

·        There is also a 60-feet deep well here called “Oushada Theertham”.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

SRI KACHABESWARAR TEMPLE:

Moolavar	Sri Kachabeswarar, Sri Virunthitteeswarar
Ambal	Sri Anjanakshi Amman, Sri Kanniumai Ammai
Theertham	Koorma Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Banyan Tree

SRI MARUNDHEESWARAR TEMPLE:

Moolavar	Sri Marundheeswarar, Sri Oushadheeswarar
Ambal	Sri Irul Neeki Ammai
Theertham	Oushadha Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Jackfruit Tree

BELIEF:

SRI KACHABESWARAR TEMPLE:

The sacred tree of this temple - banyan tree is believed to be representing the “Maka nakshatram” (a constellation). Devotees who are born in the period of this constellation (Maka nakshatram) visit this temple for worship.

Devotees often pray to Goddess Anjanakshi here for good eye sight and to seek cure from eye related illnesses.

SRI MARUNDHEESWARAR TEMPLE:

There is a small pit near the flag post (Kodimaram) and the sand in that pit is considered as sacred ash (Viputhi). Devotees believe that swallowing a lit bit of this sand can cure all kinds of illnesses. Farmers from nearby villages take this sand and sprinkle it in their fields to obtain a better yield.

Girivalam (circumambulation of the hill) on Poornima days and Padi pooja (pooja on the steps) on all Mondays are the important festivals celebrated in Lord Marundeeswarar temple.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

SRI KACHABESWARAR TEMPLE:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Chithirai	April-May	Brahmotsavam
Chithirai	April-May	Chitra Poornima
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chathurthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Thai	Jan-Feb	Makara Sankranthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Mahashivrathri
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai

SRI MARUNDHEESWARAR TEMPLE:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Brahmotsavam
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chathurthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Thai	Jan-Feb	Makara Sankranthi
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Mahashivrathri
Panguni	Mar-Apr	Panguni Uthiram
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thirukarthikai

HOW TO REACH:

Thirkachur is at a distance of about 6 kms from Maraimalai Nagar and 2 kms from Singaperumal koil en-route Sriperumputhur. Both Maraimalai Nagar and Singaperumal Koil are on the Chennai to Chengalpattu route. Nearest Railway Station is Singaperumal Koil.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Kachabeswarar Temple,

Thirukachur,

Chengalpattu,

Kancheepuram,

Tamil Nadu-– 603 204.

LOCATION: