Kadambar Koil Kadambanathar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Kadambar Koil Kadambanathar Temple, Kadambar Koil, Uthiramerur, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu 631603

Deity

Kadambanathar

Introduction

• Location: Kadambar Koil, near Uthiramerur, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.
• Deity: Lord Shiva (Kadambanathar) represented by a Suyambu Lingam.
• Historical Significance: The temple is approximately 1000 years old and is situated along the banks of the Cheyyar River.
• Architecture: Features inscriptions on the sanctum walls and a majestic Nandi.

Puranic Significance

• Murugan’s Victory Over Demons:
  • Murugan defeated demons Malayan and Magaran, who disrupted sage Kasiba‘s Yagna.
  • After invoking Kadambeswarar, Lord Murugan was sent to destroy the demons, ensuring the Yagna’s completion.
• Panguni Brahmotsavam: Celebrated annually, recalling Murugan’s worship of Shiva during Valar Pirai in Panguni on Pradosham day.
• Holiness Compared to Kasi:
  • The location is regarded as more sacred than Kasi.
  • A Pandya Brahmin’s ashes turned to flowers when immersed in the river, affirming the sanctity of Kadambar Koil.
• Uma Devi’s Worship: Uma Devi worshipped here to become permanently united with Shiva, visiting various sacred sites before arriving at Kadambar Koil.

Special Features

• Main Sanctum:
  • Houses a small Suyambu Lingam that is slanting left, facing east.
  • Features a gaja prushti vimanam.
• Deities:
  • Aavudai Nayaki Amman in standing posture facing south.
  • A small Navagraha Sannidhi is a later addition.
  • Adhikara Nandi and statues of 63 Nayanmars are located in the outer praharam.
• Koshta Vigrahams: Includes Vinayaka, Lingodbhavar, Dakshinamurthy, Durga, Chandikeshwarar, and Bhairavar.
• Historic Value:
  • Lacks major sculptures but has significant historical relevance.
  • The entrance leads to the Kodimaram, Nandi, and the main sanctum.
  • Unique river flow direction: the Cheyyar River flows north-south at this location.
• Pitru Tharpanam: Ancestor worship and rituals can be performed here.

Festivals

• Chitra Poornima: April-May
• Vaikasi Visakam: May-June
• Aadi Pooram: July-August
• Vinayaka Chaturthi: August-September
• Navarathri: September-October
• Maha Shivrathri: February-March
• Sani Peyarchi: Celebrated on Saturn planet transition days.

Century/Period/Age

1000 Years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Kadambar Koil

Nearest Railway Station

Kanchipuram Station

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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