Sri Vazhakarutheeswarar Temple, Kancheepuram

 

Moolavar: Sri Vazhakarutheeswarar

Amman: Sri Kamakshi Ambal

 

A beautiful temple said to be of 1000 years plus is very well known temple in the city of Kancheepuram. As per the legend, there was a dispute between Devas and Sages on Vedha. Both went to Lord Shiva and worshiped him to get the solution. Lord Shiva Shiva solved the dispute. And got his name as Vazhakarutheeswarar which literally means the shiva who resolved disputes. Hence, It is believed that Lord Shiva of this temple will relieve us from any court cases and legal disputes.

 

The moolavar is a 16 sided shiva lingam - Shodasha lingam  - 16 denotes the 16 selvangal (blessings) one can possibly be blessed with - material and spiritual. The Avudayar is in the Padma peetam form. This is also a parihara sthalam and it is said that 16 weeks one who visits and worships the moolavar and light a ghee lamp is relieved of any court cases and disputes. You also have another Sannidhi towards the right side of the moolavar called called Parasareshwarar and it was installed by sage Parashar.

This temple is facing east with a Thirukulam in-front. The 3 tier rajagopuram is on the north side. Dwajasthambam, Palipedam and Nandhi are immediately after the Rajagopuram.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Vinayagar, Valli devasena Subramaniyar, Thirumurai, Sandikeswarar, Kala bairavar, Suryan, Chandran and navagrahas.In koshtam there are  Dhakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

Location: Sri Vazhakarutheeswarar Temple, Kancheepuram

Sri Rajarajeswaramudaiya Mahadevar Temple, Sivapuram, Kalambakkam

 

Moolavar: Sri Rajarajeswaramudaiya Mahadevar

Amman: Sri Kamakshi Ambal

As the name Rajarajeswaramudaiyar itself suggests this Mahadevar temple was built by the great Chola Emperor Raja Raja Chola I - the king who constructed the internationally popular Brahadeeswarar Temple of Tanjore. This temple is belived to be built during the 10th century CE. The inscriptions that belong to the period of Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola are found in this temple. It was built even before periyakovil is what they are saying.

Sivapuram is a small village located near Thakkolam. Must have been a major place of importance for the chola kings as some of the oldest shiva temples can be found in and around this area like Idayarapakkam Mahadevar Temple, Kailaya Eshwaramudayar Mahadevar temple  and few more from both Raja Raja Chola and Kulothunga Chola period. These are really our national heritage which needs to be preserved. During the month Chithirai April May the sun rays fall directly on the moolavar for 5 minutes only from morning 6:10 to 6:15 am for 5 days only. 14th to 19th of the tamil month of Chithirai.

The moolavar, is a small Shiva Lingam which is vey unusual for all temples but by  Raja Raja Cholan, as most of these old temples have huge shivalingams. Kamakshi Amman, the Goddess is also found in the Maha mandap of the sanctum.

The goshta vigrahams are so beautifully carved and are all in pretty good sizes. Ganesha is extremely beautiful , Dakshinamurti is under the tree but the tree has few unique things like owl and some snake and a bag like thing hanging. Bramha going up on swan and below varahar digging the earth; both trying to find the top and bottom of lord shiva in the lingodhbavar form. Brahma is also very beautiful and Durgai is so beautifully carved. Chandikeshwara is found in his usual place.

There is no dhwajasthambam in this temple. Nandi and bali peetha are found facing the sanctum. There is a sub-shrine of Ganesha found in this temple.

Contact: The Sivanadiyar Sri Dhamodaran can be reached on 6383329847

Location: Sri Rajarajeswaramudaiya Mahadevar Temple, Sivapuram, Kalambakkam