Kanchipuram Macheswarar Temple (Macha Avathara)

Address

Periya Kanchipuram,

Kanchipuram district,

Tamil Nadu 631502

Moolavar

Macheswarar / Sippeeswarar / Machesa Peruman

Amman

Kamakshi

Introduction

Macheswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Macheswarar / Sippeeswarar / Machesa Peruman and Mother is called as Kamakshi. This Temple is considered as one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is also called as Machesam.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to be built by Pallavas and completely reconstructed in the second half of 20th Century.

According to Mathsya Purana, a demon king called Somukasura once stole the 4 Vedas and kept them in his custody under the sea. Brahma, who is the creator, was worried as the whole world cannot function without the presence of Vedas. He went and pleaded to Lord Vishnu to save the Vedas and the universe. Lord Vishnu took the form of fish (Macha Avathara) and killed Somukasura. Lord Vishnu restored the Vedas back to Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu was so happy in his accomplishment and started playing violently in the ocean. Human beings and celestial beings suffered due to the action of Lord Vishnu. Hence, Lord Shiva took the form of Narai (Stork) and taught him a lesson. Lord Vishnu realised his mistake and worshipped Lord Shiva here for forgiveness.

Special Features

This temple is facing towards east with three tiered Rajagopuram. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found immediately after the Rajagopuram facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Stucco images of Rishabaroodar and Lord Vishnu in his Macha Avathara with garland in his hands worshipping Lord Shiva can be seen on top of the Mukha Mandapam. Shrines of Lord Subramanya with his consort Valli & Devasena and Vazhi Thunai Vinayaga can be seen on either side of the entrance of Ardha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Macheswarar / Sippeeswarar / Machesa Peruman and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Vinayaga Dakshinamoorthy, Brahma, Vishnu and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. As in other temples in Kanchipuram, there is no separate shrine of Parvathi as it is believed that Kamakshi of Kanchipuram Kamakshi Temple is the common Parvathi shrine for all Shiva temples. The Vimana over the Sanctum follows Nagara style and is of single tier. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Srinivasa Perumal, Maha Lakshmi, Garudazhwar, Bhairavar, Lord Rama with Sita & Lakshmana and Anjaneya in the temple premises. There is a Macheswarar hall adjoining the Macheswarar temple.

References

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/01/macheswarar-temple-kanchipuram.html