Adissonpettai Vazhakkuraitheeswar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Adissonpettai Vazhakkuraitheeswar Temple, Adissonpettai, Kanchipuram district, Tamilnadu– 631501.

Deity

Vazhakkuraitheeswar

Introduction

• Location: Adissonpettai, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
• Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, referred to as Vazhakkuraitheeswar.
• Architecture:
  • The temple faces east and features a three-tier Rajagopuram on the north side, notable for its stucco image of Mahasadhasiva murthy with 25 heads and 50 hands.
  • A temple tank is located in front.
  • The Sri Parasareswarar Sannadhi is parallel to the Sri Vazhakkuraitheeswarar Sannadhi and the Somaskandar shrine.
• Historical Context: The temple is believed to have been originally built during the 8th to 9th century Pallava period.

Puranic Significance

• Legend: A dispute between Devas and Sages regarding the Vedas led them to worship Lord Shiva for resolution.
• Temple’s Role:
  • The temple is believed to relieve devotees of court cases and legal disputes, with many lawyers visiting the temple on Mondays.
  • Historically, legal cases were resolved at this temple rather than in the king’s court.
  • The temple gained notoriety when Vasanthi Stanly, a DMK party functionary, prayed for Kanimozhi (daughter of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi) during her trial in the 2G spectrum case.
• Pilgrimage: Despite its small size, the temple attracts many pilgrims, particularly on Mondays and Thursdays. Devotees light various types of lamps (with ghee, oil, or lotus stem) while praying for resolution of their legal issues.

Special Features

• Architecture:
  • The north-side three-tier Rajagopuram serves both Sri Vazhakarutheeswarar and Sri Parasareswarar Temples; the latter is housed within the former.
  • After the Rajagopuram, you will find the Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Nandi.
• Sanctum Details:
  • The Moolavar (main deity) is a flat-surfaced Dhara Linga located about 4 feet below ground level.
  • Moolavar, Somaskandar, and Parasareswarar are aligned in the sanctum.
• Koshta Idols: Include Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, and Durga.
• Outer Prakaram: Features shrines for Vinayagar, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Chandikeswarar, Kala Bhairava, Suryan, Chandran, and Navagrahas.
• Vimana: An ekathala vesara vimana is above the sanctum sanctorum.

Festivals

• Major festivals celebrated at the temple include:
  • Chitra Poornima (April-May)
  • Vaikasi Visakam (May-June)
  • Aadi Pooram (July-August)
  • Vinayaka Chaturthi (August-September)
  • Navaratri (September-October)
  • Maha Shivrathri (February-March)
  • Sani Peyarchi (Saturn planet transition days)

Century/Period/Age

8th to 9th Century

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Adissonpettai

Nearest Railway Station

Kanchipuram

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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