Pillaipakkam Vaitheeswaran Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Pillaipakkam Vaitheeswaran Temple, Kanchipuram

Pillaipakkam, Sriperampudur,

Kanchipuram district,

Tamil Nadu 602105

Moolavar

Sri Vaitheeswaran

Amman

Sri Thaiyalnayagi Ambal

Introduction

Location: Pillaipakkam, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, about 3 km from the Bangalore Highway en route to Manimangalam.

Presiding Deity: Lord Vaitheeswaran (Lord Shiva) and Goddess Sri Thaiyalnayagi Ambal.

Historical Significance:

• The temple dates back to the Pallava era and was renovated later by Paranthaka Chola II (Sundara Chola).
• Destroyed during the invasion of the Golkonda Nawab and later renovated in 1977 by Sri Namachivaya Chettiar of the village.

Legend:

• A local legend states that the temple’s Archagar’s son was bitten by a snake. When the boy was placed before Lord Vaitheeswaran, the Lord appeared as a cow and licked the boy’s bite, curing him of the poison. This act led to Lord Shiva being recognized as Vaitheeswaran (the healer).
• The village was originally called Sozhavalavan Nadu, then Pillai Nakkiya Pakkam after the miracle, and later became Pillaipakkam.

Architectural Style:

• The temple is also called Vada Vaitheeswaran Temple.
• The vimanam (temple tower) is built in the Gajaprashta style.

Special Features:

• Lord Dakshinamoorthy: Known as Kala Dakshinamoorthy, depicted with a Sulaayutham (axe) and Nagabaranam (serpent jewelry), believed to relieve people from Naga Dhosham (dosha related to serpents).
• Kala Bairavar: Present in the temple.
• Chandikeshwari: Uniquely present along with Chandikeswarar in this temple.

Festivals:

• All major Shiva-related festivals, especially Maha Shivaratri, are celebrated with great fanfare.

Century/Period

500-1000 Years Old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE)

Nearest Bus Station

Chennai

Nearest Railway Station

Chengalpattu

Nearest Airport

Chennai

Location on Map

lightuptemple