Sri Thanthondreeswarar Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Ekambaranatha Shrine Street,

Kanchipuram District,

Tamil Nadu – 631502

Moolavar

Sri Thanthondreeswarar

Amman

Vandarkuzhali

Introduction

Thanthondreeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Thanthondreeswarar / Upamanneeswarar and Mother is called as Vandarkuzhali. The Temple is also called as Thanthondreesam, Upamaneesam and Upamanneeswarar Temple. This Temple is considered as one of the 108 Shiva temples mentioned in Kanchi Puranam. The temple is situated in Ekambaranathar Sannathi Street of Periya Kanchipuram (Big Kanchipuram).

Puranic Significance

The temple was built by Pallava King Mahendravarma I in the early 7th Century CE based on the sandstone sculptures found in this temple. The temple lost its original form during its renovation.

Upamanneeswarar:

As per legend, Upamanyu Rishi was born to Sage Vyagrapada and the sister of Sage Vashishta. Vasishta took Upamanyu to his Ashram after he was born. He was brought up on Kamdhenu’s milk in the ashram. After a while, he returned to his parents. Upamanyu did not like the milk from other cows and remained hungry. His mother advised him to visit Kanchipuram and worship Lord Shiva. He performed rigorous penance on Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before him in the form of Indra. Upamanyu was disappointed and about to kill himself. Hence, Lord Shiva appeared before him in the form of Rishabaroodar and bestowed him with knowledge and everlasting youth. Further, Lord Shiva made him Sanjeevini (Immortal life). Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Upamanneeswarar.

Thanthondreeswarar:

It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared as Swayambhu Linga on his own to give salvation to all living beings. Hence, Lord Shiva came to be called as Thanthondreeswarar.

Lord Krishna worshipped Lord Shiva here:

As per legend, Lord Krishna visited Kanchipuram to get initiation through Sage Upamanyu. During his visit, Lord Krishna worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple.

Special Features

The temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco image of Nataraja on top of the arch. Nataraja is six armed and flanked by two bulls. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found immediately after the entrance arch facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam.

Presiding Deity is called as Thanthondreeswarar / Upamanneeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Somaskanda panel can be seen in the wall behind the Lingam. Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.

Mother is called as Vandarkuzhali. She is housed in a separate shrine. There are shrines for Vinayagar and Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena in the temple premises. There are about seven sand stone sculptures on the outer walls of the Mukha Mandapam dated to Pallava period. These sculptures depict the characters mentioned in Mattavilasa Prahasana.

Mattavilasa Prahasana is a short one-act Sanskrit play. It is one of the two great one act plays written by Pallava King Mahendravarman I in the beginning of the seventh century in Tamil Nadu. Mattavilasa Prahasana is a satire that pokes fun at the peculiar aspects of the heretic Kapalika and Pasupatha Saivite sects, Buddhists and Jainism.