Yoga Dakshinamoorthy Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Periya, Kanchipuram district,

Tamil Nadu 631502

Moolavar

Yoga Dakshinamoorthy

Introduction

Yoga Dakshinamoorthy Temple is dedicated to Guru Bhagawan located in Kanchipuram City in Kanchipuram District of Tamil Nadu. This Temple is also called as Guru Kottam and Swayambhu Yoga Dakshinamoorthy Temple. The Temple is believed to be 1200 years old. The Temple is located very close to Kanchipuram East Railway Station.

The temple is located at about 100 meters from Kanchipuram East Railway Station, 1.5 Kms from Kanchipuram Bus Stand, and 60 Kms from Chennai Airport

Puranic Significance

Yoga dakshinamurthi is the form of Lord Shiva. Dakshinamurthi means ‘one who is facing south’ and Yoga is the art of being healthy in both physical and spiritual norms. It is believed that this form is the personification of Lord Shiva, where he represents knowledge, understanding and ultimate awareness. He is worshipped as the Lord of Wisdom, Yoga and Meditation. Hence, the name Yoga dakshinamurthi.

The concept of Yoga and Meditation originated by Lord Shiva. In every temple of Dakshinamurthi, the statue of Lord Shiva is installed, facing towards south. He might be the only God, who faces the Southward direction. Lord Shiva teaches the entire human race how to lead a healthy life in both physical and psychological aspects. As Lord Yoga dakshinamurthi is regarded as the Ultimate Guru, Embodiment of Knowledge and Destroyer of Ignorance, he is worshipped by the people. The right hand of the God wills he showed Jnana Mudra, in which, the tips of index finger and the thumb touch each other to form a ring. Because of this he is also called ‘Jnana Dakshinamurthi’. He is worshipped by the people on Thursdays and some worship the Lord on the night of Guru Purnima and MahaShivaRatri. However, some of the Shaivite temples worship him all the days in the year. In India, there are only few temples, where Lord Dakshinamurthi is the chief Deity. In one of the temples in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, he is represented as Yoga Dakshinamurthi.

Special Features

This Temple is facing towards south. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum and Mukha Mandapam. Stucco image of Dakshinamoorthy can be seen on top of the Mukha Mandapam. The Sanctum houses an idol of Yoga Dakshinamoorthy. Brahma, Durga and Dakshinamoorthy are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. There is an east facing shrine for Somasundareswarar and his consort Meenakshi can be seen in the temple premises. Shrines of Nageswarar, Samayapuram Mariyamman, Manapakkam Kanniyamman, Dharmesar, Bhairavar, Chandikeswarar, Suryan and Yoga Siddhar Swamigal can be seen in the temple premises.