The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint
Sundarar. He describes the place as one inhabited by enlightened souls, bright
with sunlight and playground of nightingales with their pairs, where Lord
Anekadangavatha Easwara graces in the holy city of Kanchi. This is the 4thshrine in Thondaimandalam region praised in Thevaram hymns.
This is a small shrine located in the North Western
part of Kanchipuram. Legends hold that Kubera and Ganapati worshipped Shiva
here. The fields in the vicinity are known as Aanaiyurittaan Vayal. This
is the 3rd of the 32 Tevara Stalams in the Tondai region of South India.
It is one of the 5 templesthat has one or more thevaram songs sung in the town of kanchipuram. There are
innumerable other temples present in kanchipuram but these 5 are famous due to
their presence in the thevaram.
There is no Ambal (goddess) sannidhi in any of the shiva temples in
kanchipuram as Kaamakshi amman is the only ambal for all the temples.
God AnegathangaPathaeswarar is a majestic big lingam.
We can make it out even with the idol covered in a cloth for
kumbabishaekam.
Though Lord Vinayaka held the hands of Mother Vallabha in this place in
marriage, He is in a shrine alone. Those facing problems in marriage proposals
pray to him offering Arugampul (grass) with nivedhanas hoping to have their
wish realized early.
Due to his righteous life in his previous birth,
Kubeara was born the son of Arundaman and became the king
Alakapuri. Shukra, the Guru of demons grew jealous of him and began to
create troubles. Kubera worshipped Lord Shiva seeking protection from
Shukra. Lord swallowed Shukra and destroyed his pride. As Mother Kanchi Kamakshi is the consort of
Lord Shiva. Installed
by Lord Vinayaka, Lord Shiva is praised in the name of Anekadhangavdha
Easwarar. Lord Vinayaka also is known as Anekadhangavadhar.
Maharshi Mareechi, while bathing in a lotus tank, found
a female child on the leaves. He took the child and brought her up. He
named her Vallaba. She was a staunch Shiva devotee. She was abducted
by demon Kesi. She prayed to Lord Shiva to come to her rescue. Lord
Shiva wanted to send Vinayaka to protect her. Ambica requested Lord to
bless Vinayaka with victory in the war against the demon. Lord said that
He would be victorious if he worships in this land. Lord Vinayaka followed
the advice and installed the Linga. Demon was destroyed and Vallaba
rescued. Lord Shiva and Mother performed the wedding of Vinayaka with Vallaba
here.
This temple is worshipped by eight giant snakes as per
the legend. Hence the god has a name Ashta Pujanga Piran meaning the
god worshipped by eight snakes.
But the namesake comes from Lord Vinayaka or Pillayar worshipping here. Pillaiyar
(Ganesh) who has an elephant head worshipped shiva here. Anekapam meansElephant. Since Pillayar has a elephant head this temple became known asAnekathangaPadham. Kuberan , the lord of wealth also worshipped the lord
here.
Moolavar : Kachi Anekadhangavadeswarar
Amman / Thayar : Kamakshi
Theertham : Thanu theertham
Agamam / Pooja : Kameeka
Old year : 1000-2000 years old
Patikam :Sundarar
Historical Name : Thanu theertham
The presiding deity is Anekatangapadeswarar and the Ambal
Kamakshi.
This is a small temple with the sanctum sanctorum with
one corridor (prakara). Main entrance is in northern side. The temple
has no Rajagopuram. Lord Vinayaka graces in a big form from a separate
shrine in the name of Peria (big) Vinayaka.
Mahashivrathri in February-March
Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals
celebrated in the temple.
The temple festivals are associated with Ekambareswarar
temple.
Devotees pray for removal of obstacles in marriage
proposals and for promotion in jobs.Devotees perform abishek to Lord and offer
vastras.
Kachi Anegathangapadham as it is referred in
Thevaram is a small temple located in the pillayar palayam area of Kanchipuram
town.This sivasthalam temple is located 3 Kms northwest of Kancheepuram in the
locality known as Pilliarpalayam. One has to take the road to Kailasanathar
temple via Putheri Street. Before reaching Kailasanathar temple, there is big
school on the way. The small lane adjacent to the school leads to the temple.
Bus facilities from Kancheepuram are available. This temple is located to the
left just a 100 yards before the famous Kailasanathar temple. But this temple
is older than KailasaNathar temple but gets almost no new visitors on an
accountable level. Kailasanathar temple is famous for its architecture but
is not mentioned in thevaram. This temple is undergoing renovation and will
have a Kumbabishaekam soon done. A small temple with an access road of about150 yards from the main road that leads to Kailasanathar temple. Temple faces
east side. There are 2 ponds on the east and west side of the temple. Temple
pond is located outside on the right hand side after the access road ends.
Temple has a good amount of coconut and other small
flowering trees in the prakaram. There is only one prakaram and all the
sannidhis are being worked on. A small concrete pavement is built so we can
walk. Else it is sandy.
Once a very neglected and dilapidated temple , it is undergoing some
renovation lately and is in a decent shape now. A small office is located
inside the temple where there are people who oversee the current renovation
work. People going to kailasanathar temple can easily walk to cover this
temple.
Do:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.