Punya Koteeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Punya Koteeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram town, Kanchipuram District – 631 501 Mobile: +91 94430 17720

Diety

Punya Koteeswarar Amman: Bhuvaneshwari

Introduction

Punya Koteeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Punya Koteeswarar and Mother is called as Bhuvaneshwari. This Temple is considered as one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The Temple is also called as Punniyakodeesam. This Temple is situated close to Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal Temple.

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to be built by Chola King Rajaraja Chola III in 13th Century CE Lord Vishnu and Gajendra worshipped Lord Shiva here: There was once an elephant named Gajendra who lived in a garden called Ritumat, created by Varuna. This garden was located on Mount Trikuta (Three Peaked Mountain). Gajendra ruled over all the other elephants in the herd. One day as usual he went to the lake nearby to pick lotus flowers to offer prayer to Lord Vishnu. Suddenly, a crocodile living in the lake attacked Gajendra and caught him by the leg. Gajendra tried for a long time to escape from the crocodile’s clutches. As the struggle was seemingly endless and when he had spent his last drop of energy, Gajendra called upon Lord Vishnu to save him, holding a lotus up in the air as an offering. Hearing his devotee’s call and prayer, Lord Vishnu rushed to the scene. As Gajendra sighted the god coming, he lifted a lotus with his trunk. Seeing this, Vishnu was pleased and with his Sudarshana Chakra, he decapitated the crocodile. Gajendra prostrated himself before the god. Lord Vishnu then took to Kanchipuram and worshipped Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva appeared before Lord Vishnu and granted him the boons he wished. The place where Lord Vishnu stayed, and worshipped Lord Shiva was known as Hasthigiri. Punniya Kodeeswarar: It is said that Punniyam (blessings) earned by worshipping Lord Shiva after taking bath in this temple tank would be multiplied Punniyam (blessings). Hence Lord Shiva came to be called as Punniya Kodeeswarar and place came to be called as Punniyakodeesam. Lord Vishnu in the form of cloud worshipped Lord Shiva here: It is said that Lord Vishnu in the form of cloud, held Lord Shiva and worshipped Lord Shiva at this temple.

Beliefs

Those who take bath in the temple tank of this temple will be blessed with good fortune.

Special Features

The temple is facing towards east facing the temple tank. The entrance is on the sideway. Dhwaja Sthambam and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. Nandi can be found in the Mukha Mandapam facing the sanctum. Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai and Vinayaga can be found on either side of the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Mukha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam and Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Punya Koteeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Vinayaga, Medha Dakshinamoorthy, Brahma, Vishnu and Vishnu Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Bhuvaneshwari. She is housed in separate east facing shrine. Shrines and idols of Vinayaga, Navagrahas, Bhairava, Sapta Matrikas, Kailasanathar, Hanuman, and Krishna can be seen in the temple premises. Sculptures of Narasimha emerging from the pillar, Urdhava Thandava Moorthy and various dance postures of Lord Shiva can be seen in the pillars. Theertham associated with this temple is Chakra Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa tree.