Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 3rd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 3rd Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) |
HISTORY:
Ona
Kantheeswarar Temple (also called Onakanthali) is a Hindu temple dedicated
to Shiva,
located in the town of Panjupettai, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram
district in Tamil Nadu, India. Shiva is worshipped as Ona Kantheeswarar and his
consort Parvathi as Kamakshi. Ona Kantheeswarar is revered in
the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work.
Onan and Kanthan:
The
temple was believed to have been built by two asuras (demons) named Onan and Kanthan. The asuras
got a lingam (an
iconic representation of Shiva) from a forest in the region and became ardent
devotees. On account of their devotion, they got all the desired boons. There
was a third asura, Jalandeeswaran, who joined the two, and became an ardent
devotee of Shiva. The three shrines in the temple, each dedicated to
Onakantheeswarar, Salantheeswarar and Jalandeeswarar are believed to be the
respective shrines built by the demons.
Saint Sundaramurthy:
Sundarar,
a 7th-century Tamil Saivite poet, venerated Ona Kantheeswarar in one
verse in Tevaram, compiled as the Seventh Tirumurai.
As the temple is revered in Tevaram, it is classified as Paadal Petra
Sthalam, one of the 275
temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. It is believed that he got
back one of his eyes which he lost on account of not keeping his word in the
Ekambanathar Temple. To test his devotion, Shiva moved toward a tamarind tree
and Sundarar followed his footsteps and sung praises of Shiva. His devotion was
admired and Shiva turned the tamarind leaves to golden leaves and poured on him
from the skies.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
The temple has a
small three-tiered rajagopuram,
the entrance tower and all the shrines are located in an elevated structure.
·
Ona
Kantheeswarar temple complex has a single prakarams (outer
courtyard) covering an area of 80 m2 (860 sq ft) and a
small three-tiered rajagopuram (gateway
tower) facing East.
·
The central
shrine faces east and holds the two image of Ona Kantheeswarar (Shiva) in the
form of lingam made of granite and is believed to be a swayambumoorthy (self
manifested).
·
There are two
other shrines of Shiva namely Salantheeswarar and Jalandeeswarar.
·
As in other
temples in Kanchipuram, there is no separate shrine of Parvathi as it is
believed that Kamakshi of
Kanchipuram is the common
Parvathi shrine for all Shiva temples.
·
There is a
separate shrine for Vinayagar called Vaiyurunthi Pillayar. The granite images
of Nandi (the bull and vehicle of Shiva), a tall flag
staff and a Balipeeta, the place of offering, axial to the sanctum.
·
As in other
Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the first precinct or the walls around the sanctum
of Ona Kantheeswarar has images of Dakshinamurthy (Shiva
as the Teacher), Durga (warrior-goddess) and Chandikeswarar (a saint and devotee of Shiva). The temple
precinct is surrounded by granite walls.
TEMPLE
INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Ona Kantheswarar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Kamakshi |
|
Theertham |
Onakantha theertham,Thaanthondri theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vanni and Tamarind tree |
BELIEF:
Devotees
believe that chanting a song of saint sundarar would bring them prospertity.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar
Chathurthi |
|
Aippasi |
Oct–Nov |
Aipassi full
moon day |
|
Karthikai |
Nov-Dec |
Thirukarthikai |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
MargazhiTiruvathirai |
HOW
TO REACH:
This
sivasthalam temple is located at a locality called as Panjupettai in
Kancheepuram. One has to travel on Kancheepuram - Arakkonam road and cross
Sarva Theertham and reach Panjupettai Electricity Board Sub-station and take a
right turn near the sub-station to reach the temple.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Ona Kantheswarar Temple,
Panjupettai,
Kanchipuram,
Tamil Nadu – 631 501.
LOCATION:
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