Moolavar: Sri Amareswarar
Amman: Sri Abhirama Sundari Ambal
A 1200 years plus old temple belonging to the Pallava period is Sri Amareswarar Temple and one of the lesser-known Pallava period temples of Kanchipuram. Records has it that this temple was built during 8th Century by Pallava King Narasimha Varma-II ( 700 – 729 CE ) popularly known as Rajasimha. The temple was built with brick and pillars & sculptures are with sand stone. As per Alexander Rea, who documented this Pallava period Shiva temple during 1909, this temple had the sculptures of Oorthuva thandava Murthy, Ravana Anugraha murthy, Gangadhara murthy, Mahishasura Mardini panels. Now there is no trace of these sculptures and were damaged completely in the name of renovation. Lord Shiva of this temple was also called as Tripurantaka Eswarar and why it was called is not known.
As per the Sthalapurana, with the help of Ambal the Devas / Amaras defeated Asuras. This made them to think that they are superior and become arrogant. To teach a lession Lord Shiva installed a very small straw and asked Devas to destroy it. No body could succeed. Devas prayed to Ambal to give a solution for this. In turn Ambal told that all powers and actions are vested with Lord Shiva. So she asked the Devas to go to Kanchipuram and worship Lord Shiva. Hence Lord Shiva is called as Amareswarar.
Some salient features of this temple are - Stucco images of Shiva and Murugan and a Maharishi in sitting Posture are on the Rajagopuram. Also Ambal is in standing on the right and Indra is standing on the left. Balipedam and Nandhi with mandapam are immediately after the entrance arch. Moolavar is of Dhara Linga with 16 flat surfaces. Ambal Abirama Sundari is in a separate sannadhi. Somaskandar bas-relief is on the back side wall of moolavar. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai. These Koshta murtis are made of sand stone and different from the regular features, which only be seen in this temple.
Contact: The temple Kurukal Rakshit Ganesh can be reached on 9791606181
Location: Sri Amareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
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