Sri Kachabeswarar and Sri Marundeeswarar temple, Thirukachur

The twin temples of Thirukachur

 

 
Moolavar - Sri Kachabeswarar
Amman - Sri Anjanatchi Amman
Place -  Thirukachur, Chennai, Tamilnadu

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. 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.

The temple has a flat gateway tower and all the shrines of the temple are enclosed in concentric rectangular granite walls. There is a sixteen pillar hall in front the gateway that has sculpted pillars dating back to the 16th century. The temple occcupies an area of around 2 acres (0.81 ha). The temple tank is located adjacent to the sixteen pillared hall. The central shrine houses the image of Kachabeswarar in the form of Lingam. The shrine of Irulneeki Thayar (also called Anthaga Nivarini]], facing West is located in the Mahamandapam leading to the sanctum. The central shrine is approached through the shrine of Thyagaraja located adjacent to the sanctum. As in other Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, the shrines of Vinayaka, Murugan, Navagraha, Chandikesa and Durga are located around the precinct of the main shrine. There is a shrine depicting Shiva offering food to Sundarar on the Western side.

Moolavar - Sri Marundeeswarar
Amman - Sri Irulneeki Amman 

As per Hindu legend, Devas, the celestial deities, got cured off their illness by worshiping Shiva at this place. The Devas were treated by Aswani Devata, the divine doctor at the behest of Shiva. Shiva thus obtained the name Marundeeswarar, Marundu literally means a curative. 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.
The temple complex covers an area of one acre and all its shrines are enclosed with a granite concentric rectangular walls. The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Marundeeswarar and his consort Irulneeki Thayar being the most prominent.