Significant Stand Alone Temples

Paranjothi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram

lightuptemple October 31, 2022November 22, 20230

Address

Railway Rd, Periya, Kanchipuram,

Tamil Nadu 631501

Amman

Paranjothi Amman (Goddess Draupadi)

Introduction

Paranjothi Amman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Draupadi located in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is Draupadi Amman and Paranjothi Amman along with Pandaveswarar & Dharmeswarar. This Temple is considered as one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is also called as Pandavesam, Pandaveswarar Temple and Dharmeswarar Temple.

Puranic Significance

As per legend, Pandavas along with Draupadi during their exile reached Kanchipuram. Pandavas installed Shiva Lingas in their respective names and worshipped them.

The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. Stucco image of Paranjothi Amman flanked by Lions can be seen on top of the entrance arch. Shrines of Paranjothi Amman, Pandaveswarar and Lord Krishna with his consorts Bhama & Rukmini can be seen in a row immediately after the entrance arch. All these three shrines are facing east. Pandaveswarar is housed in the shrine along with Vinayaga. Kanthu can be seen in front of Shiva Shrine.

Stucco images of Rishabaroodar, Paranjothi Amman and Lord Krishna with his consorts Bhama & Rukmini can be seen on top of their respective shrines. Presiding deity of this temple is Draupadi Amman. She is housed in a separate shrine adjacent to the Krishna Shrine. Balipeedam and Dhwaja Sthambam can be seen facing the Sanctum. Stucco image of Draupadi can be seen on top of the entrance of her shrine.

There are shrines for Siddhi Vinayagar, Saptha Kannigais, Botha Raja, Dharmaraja, Sikandeeswarar and Dharmeshwarar in the temple premises. It is said that both Dharmeshwarar and Pandaveswarar Shiva Lingas were the remains from an ancient Shiva temple from Pallava era and they were found near the Railway track in 19th Century CE. Idols of Nagas can be found below the Peepal tree.

This has been extracted from,

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2021/07/paranjothi-amman-temple-kanchipuram.html