Sri Kaichinneswarar temple

Overview

One of the 276 Thevara Paadal petra sthalams. Kachchanam is located at 25 km south of Thiruvarur and 11 km north of Thiruthuraipundi. Kaichinam is surrounded by Thirukkolili in the east, Thirunellikkaa in the west, Thirutturaippoondi in the south and Thirukkaaravaasal in the north – all part of the 276 Thevara Paadal petra sthalams.The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Tirugnana Sambandar. This is the 122nd Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

About The Temple

This is one of the 78 “Madakkoils”, built on an elevation, by Ko Chengat Chola Nayanar so that elephants cannot enter the sanctum.It has 2 prakarams has an attractive 3 tier Rajagopuram and beautiful vimanams and is administered by the Madurai Adhinam.There is a shrine to Rishabha Dakshinamurthy here as in Thiruvoimur.The Utsavamoorthy here is Thyagarajar.There is also a shrine to Mahavishnu, where an image discovered while excavating an arable tract of land belonging to the temple.Dhakshinamurthi in the Goshtam is very beautiful.There are shrines for Mothers Durga, Saraswathi and Jeshtadevi and a shrine for Mother Mahalakshmi.

Sthala Vruksham

Kongilavam near the Ambal shrine

Theertham

Vajra Theertham, dug by Lord Indhra with his Vajrayudha weapon is to the South of the temple and Indra Theertham is to the North of this temple.

About The Deity

Karachinneswarar, Hrudaya Kamala Nathar and the Goddess is known as Matsayadakshi, “Vel Valai Nayaki” as Indra offered white bangles made out of tusk of Iravadha, his White Elephant. With a view to emphasize the fact that everyone should productively use his/her efficiency and education, Mother Saraswathi the Goddess of Wisdom, Mother Durga the Goddess of efficient action are installed in the prakara of the temple followed by Jeshtadevi the symbol of laziness and indifference reminding the devotees to avoid these qualities and firmly stand with the former.

Legend and Stories

Indira the king of the Devas came near the hermitage of Sage Gautama living with his wife Aakalika. With an evil design in his mind, he took the form of a cock and cried indicating dawn. Sage Gautama, as usual left the hermitage for the river to follow his morning duties. Indira again took the form of Gautama and spent the time with Akalika who believed that she was her husband sage. Gautama felt something fishy with his wisdom and returned to the ashram.

Condemning the act of Indira, he cursed him. Though Akalika was chaste, with a view to get her further purified by Lord Rama, he converted her into a stone. For relief, Indira prayed to Lord Shiva, who advised him to make Linga of sand and worship it performing abishek.

Indira knew that it was not possible to perform abishek to sand Linga as it would dissolve in abishek water. He had to suffer long as Lord Shiva was not willing to pardon his dirty crime. He turned his worship towards Mother Ambica. Finally, he embraced the Linga and cried aloud that he would never misbehave with women. His finger prints set on the Linga. As he sincerely prayed, Lord granted pardon. As Indira’s finger prints (Kai chinnam-rekhas) were set on the Lord, He is named Kai Chinneswarar gracing the devotees in this temple with Mother Palvalai Nayaki.

Festivals

Tirukarthikai in November-December and Maha Shivrathri in February-March are celebrated in the temple.

Significance

Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy. This is one of the few Shiva temples with Perumal also. Lord Srinivasa Perumal graces the devotees in the temple.If a devotee sincerely prays seeking pardon for the wrongs he/she had committed, it is responded by the Lord gracefully, believe the devotees.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is at Trichy.

Railways

The nearest major railhead is at Tiruvarur.

Road

Tirukaichinnam is well connected by road.

Temple Address

Sri Kaichinneswarar Temple, (Tirukaichinnam),
Kachanam – 610 201.
Tiruvarur district.
91 94865 33293