Kachabeswarar Temple

Why devotees come here

Kachabeswarar Temple stands in Thirukachur village, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped here in the form of a lingam, as Kachabeswarar. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, and it is counted as a twin of Marundeeswarar Temple in the same village.

Shiva is worshipped at this temple as Kachabeswarar, and the central shrine houses the image of Kachabeswarar in the form of a lingam. The temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, the Shiva shrines praised in the early medieval Tevaram poems by the Tamil Nayanar Sundarar. It is counted as a twin temple along with Marundeeswarar Temple in the same village.

Legend says that Vishnu, in the form of a tortoise called Karkada, worshipped Shiva here to attain divine ambrosia. Another legend tells of Sundarar, who grew very hungry while travelling through the place. Shiva appeared and fed him.

The temple has a recorded history from the 10th century, and scholars place its presence at least in the 8th century. The original complex is believed to have been built by the Cholas, and the present masonry structure dates from the 16th century, in the Nayak period. All the shrines are enclosed in large concentric rectangular granite walls. A sixteen-pillared hall stands in front of the main tower, and its sculpted columns show legends and Hindu deities. The complex covers about two acres.

Festivals

• Tamil month of Masi and Chitra PournamiBrahmotsavam

  A nine-day festival, and one of the most important festivals of the temple.

• MonthlyMonthly festivals

  Amavasai (new moon day), Kiruthigai, Pournami (full moon day) and Sathurthi.

Tips for your visit

• Marundeeswarar Temple, the twin temple, is in the same village.
• Thirukachur is in Kanchipuram district, which lies next to Chennai city on the northern East Coast of Tamil Nadu.
• All the shrines are enclosed in large concentric rectangular granite walls.

Questions people ask