Karchapeswarar Temple Kanchipuram is dedicated to Lord Siva and was built on 5 acres of land. This temple is treated as holy as Kashi. The main deity inside the temple is called by Karchapeswarar.
Karchapeswarar Temple Kanchipuram Legends
Legend dates back to the churning of Vaikuntam’s (Lord Vishnu’s abode) Milky ocean. The milky ocean was churned by making Vasuki Serpent as Churning rope and Mount Meru as a Churning stick by Devas and Asuras. As churning in progress Mount Meru started sinking into the ocean, Lord Vishnu assumed Kurma Avathar (Kachapa) and bore the weight of Meru. It is said that Lord Vishnu in Kurma (Tortoise) avatar installed Lord Siva here and prayed during this process.
Karchapeswarar Temple Kanchipuram History
This temple was built by Pallava kings in 7th century CE. There are some epigraphs referring to Rajaraja Chola in 10th Century C.E. Sanctum Sanctorum Gopuram is dating to 9th century CE. The entrance gopura possesses architectural feature like Kumbha Panjara. Kumbha Panjara was introduced by King Rajaraja Chola I in 13th century CE. Later this temple was renovated by Vijayanagara Kings.
Kanchi Paramacharya while taking holy bath in the Ishta Siddheeswara Theertham (Temple tank) noticed some letters in the stones fixed as steps. As he was well versed in epigraphy, he read the letters and found that those were the verses from Surya Satakam of Mayura Kavi. They were able to find 6 verses only and these verses were preserved inside the temple.
Karchapeswarar Temple Timings
Morning Hours: 6:00 am – 12:00 pm
Evening Hours: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
How to reach Karchapeswarar Temple Kanchipuram?
- Temple is 108 km from Tirupati. Direct bus to Kanchi is available from Tirupati Central Bus station at regular intervals.
- Temple is at a walkable distance km from Kanchipuram bus station and Kanchipuram Railway station
Temples near to Karchapeswarar Temple?
- Ekambareswarar Temple is at a walkable distance
- Kailasanathar temple is 1.9 km away
- Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple is 2.8 km away
- Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple is 4.7 km away
- Ulagalantha Temple is at a walkable distance.
- Kumarakottam Murugan temple is at a walkable distance.