Thenambakkam Brahmapureeswarar Maha Periva Shivasthalam - Kanchipuram

Address

Thenambakkam Brahmapureeswarar Maha Periva Shivasthalam – Thrivulluvar Nagar, Thenambakkam Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501

Diety

Brahmapureeswarar Amman: Sri Kamakshi

Introduction

Brahmapureeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Thenambakkam Town in Kanchipuram Taluk in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu, India. Presiding Deity is called as Brahmapureeswarar and Mother is called as Kamakshi. This Temple is considered as one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is called as Shivasthanam. Brahma Theertham Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa tree.

Puranic Significance

As per legend, Lord Brahma along with Lord Vishnu wanted to take up the job of creation. Hence, Lord Brahma approached Lord Shiva and requested for boon. Lord Shiva instructed Lord Brahma to visit this temple and worship him. Lord Brahma came here and created Brahma Theertham. He took bath in Brahma Theertham, installed Shiva Linga and worshipped Lord Shiva. Lord Brahma obtained the job of creation as a boon from Lord Shiva in this temple. Further, Lord Brahma requested Lord Shiva to make his abode in this place. Hence, the temple came to be called as Shivasthanam. As Lord Brahma worshipped Lord Shiva here, Lord Shiva came to be called as Brahmapureeswarar. People worshipped Lord Shiva here: It is said that Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi (68th Jagadguru of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham), Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma had worshipped Lord Shiva here Adi Shankara Last days: This temple is considered as the place where Adhi Shankara is said to have spent his last days This temple is believed to be around 1500 years dated to Pallava period. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi (20 May 1894 – 8 January 1994), the 68th Jagadguru of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham found this Pallava era temple in ruins. He took up the renovation activities and rebuilt this temple adhering to the Pallava architecture. He chose to live in self-exile for more than a year in this place. He performed penance for about a year inside this temple in a small room (10 X 10). It is said that he never ventured out from the room. A small well separated his room with the next room of similar dimension and the outside world. Indira Gandhi and some foreign delegates visited him only from the room on the other side of the well. Indra Gandhi is said to have got the election symbol of Hand for her Congress only through the blessings of Periyava here. His room had been converted into a shrine and can be entered separately. His Palanquin and rope cot can be seen here. The wooden staircase he used to go on top to see the Gopurams of Kanchipuram is still present here. The Idol of Chandrasekara Ganapathy in this temple is believed to be sculpted by him in a single day. The Temple activities are taken care of by the Sri Sankara Baktha Jana Sabha trust and also running a Vedha Padasala.

Special Features

The Temple This temple is facing towards east. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Brahmapureeswarar / Shivasthaneswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Nardana Ganapathy, Anandha Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma and Vishnu Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. All the idols in Koshta are of recent origin. The idol of Dakshinamoorthy in the Koshta is unique as you can notice a smile on his face. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. The vimana, structure over the sanctum is in the form of Gajabrusta, the shape of an elephant in its sitting posture. Mother is called as Kamakshi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. There is a shrine for Somaganapathy behind the sanctum. This shrine houses a sculpture of Lord Shiva, Parvathy and Lord Ganesha in Mother Parvathy lap. Usually in south Indian temples, it would always be Lord Murugan in Mother Parvathy lap. This depiction is famously called as Somaskanda. There is a stucco image of Veda Vyasa and Adhi Sankara on the wall behind the sanctum.The temple has a beautiful garden and Veda Pada Shala. Theertham associated with this temple is Brahma Theertham. The water from the Theertham is used in performing ablutions to Lord Shiva. Hence, people are not allowed to step into the temple pond. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa tree.