Kachapeshwar/Sri Kachabeswarar Temple Kanchipuram,Tamil Nadu

Kachabeswarar Temple, Thirukachur is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located in Thirukachur, a village in Kanchipuram district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Kachabeswarar, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Antanatchi and Kanniyumaiyal. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th-century CE Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is counted as a twin temple along with Marundeeswarar Temple located in the same village.

The temple complex covers two acres and the temple tank is located diagonally outside the main gateway. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Kachabeswarar and his consorts Antanatchi and Kanniyumaiyal, Thiyagarajar and that of Sundarar being offered food by Shiav being the most prominent. All the shrines of the temple are enclosed in large concentric rectangular granite walls. There is a sixteen pillared hall in front of the main tower that has sculpted columns depicting various legends and Hindu deities.

The temple has four daily rituals at various times from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and four yearly festivals on its calendar. The Brahmotsavam festival is celebrated during the day of the Magam (February – March) is the most prominent festival.

The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas, while the present masonry structure was built during the Nayak during the 16th century. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

As per Hindu legend, Vishnu in the form of tortoise (called Karkada) worshiped Shiva to attain divine ambrosia at this place. On account of the legend, the place was called Kascapavoor, which went on to become Kachoor and the presiding deity, Shiva came to be known as Karchabeswarar. As per another legend, Vishnu appeared in the form of Kurma appeared from the Ocean of Milk to help the Devas. Vishnu appeared in this place, created a spring, bathed and prayed to Shiva at this place. Since Shiva helped Vishnu, the place came to be known as Tirukachur. As per a third legend, Indra, the king of celestial deities got a disease which could not be cured by the physicians of the celestial world. The Ashwini Devas of the celestial world also could not cure the disease. With the help of sage Narada who advised them to worship Shiva, they were able to find the herbs in earth that could cure the disease. Indra was cured with the herb, but they were not able to find the place where they found the herb in earth. They prayed to Parvati who appeared in the place in the form of Irulneeki Amman (the one who cleared darkness) and directed them the place. The temple has a recorded history from the 10th century, but scholar attribute the presence of the temple at least from the 8th century, pertaining to the period of Sundarar, the famous Saiva Nayanar. Sundarar has glorified the temple in his verses in 11th Thirumurai of Thevaram.