Thonda Nadu Temple 26. Thirukachur

SIVAYA NAMA

 

 

 

THIRUKACHUR ALAKKOYIL

Entrance without Kopuram

 

Flag mast and the peedam - Temple facing east - Entrance is on the left side

 

 



 

LOCATION :

This temple is situated near the railway station of Singaperumal Kovil, between Chengalpet and Tambaram stations. From Singaperumal Kovil railway station the temple is around 2 KM. There are regular buses from Sriperampathur, Tambaram and Chengalpet.

 

Swamy:                    Arulmigu Kachabeswarar /  Irandeeswarar

Ambal:                     Arulmigu Anchanaakshi Ammai / Sundaravalli

Sthala Viruksham: Alam (Banyan Tree)

Theertham:             Koorma Theertham

Temple history :

 

Name of the town is Thirukachur. Alakovil is the name of the Temple. Along with the town name the temple is called as Thirukachur Alakovil. Like Vaikal Madakkovil and Nannilam Perungkovil. Sthala Viruksham of the temple is Alam (ஆலம்), Banyan tree. Hence the name of the temple is known as Alakovil. Thirumal in the form of Kacham (Turtle) worshipped the Lord Siva here. Hence the place is called as  Thiru Kachur and the Deity as Kachabeswarar.   

 

This is a twin temple, one at the hill top and the other at the foot hill. The other temple Arulmigu Maruntheesar is at the hill top. About 2 KM from Alakovil.

 

 

 

 

Sthala Puranam:

 

 Alakovil:

 

While churning the ocean, the Mandhara hill was used as the stick ( மத்து ) began to sink.To bring it out, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Kacha (Koorma) - Tortoise (ஆமை ) as per the instruction of Lord Siva to help the Dhevas. Prior to that Vishnu came to this place, created a spring, bathed and prayed to Lord Siva. As Lord Siva blessed Vishnu, hence named Kachabeswarar.The place came to be known as Tirukachur after this event.

 

Ambal Anjanakshi in Kachabeswarar temple blesses all her devotees from a separate shrine.Anjanam means eyes.She protect devotees as her own eyes. Hence her name is so named. Admiring her beauty, She is also praised as Sundaravalli.The Sri Chakra is installed in the mandapam before this shrine.Devotees light ghee lamps here for family welfare and prosperity.

 

Lord Siva also staged his Ajaba Dance here as Thiagaraja for Lord Vishnu. This same Ajaba dance is famous at Thiruvarur Thyagaraja Swamy temple. As the uthsava murthy of the temple, all festivals are dedicated to Thyagarajar.

 

Sundararamurthy Nayanar after visiting Tirukazhu Kundram came to Tirukachur on his way to Kancheepuram. He was not having eyesight on both the eyes. He lost his sight when he came out of Thiruvatriyur. Due to long journey, Sundarar was very tired and hungry. He stayed here at the temple complex. Lord Kachabeswarar came there as an old Brahmin ( அந்தணர் ) 

and assured him of food and asked to wait for a while. Lord Siva – the old man – went out with his bowl (திருவோடு) for begging, gathered food, came back and fed his devotee . As Soon he finished the food, the old man disappeared.Sundarar sang a Pathigam beginning with the line “Mudhu vai Ori Kadhara”.  Irandha in Tamil means begging, hence Lord is named Irandeeswarar having his shrine outside the temple at a distance and Siva is named as Virundhu Itta Easwarar having his shrine in the pragaram.Virundhu-hospitality

 

Marunseesar Temple:

 

In spite of the treatment of Aswini Dhevas Indiran's ailment due to some curse was not cured. Aswini Dhevas came to earth in search of a powerful herbal to cure Indiran. As per Devarishi Narathar they came to this place and prayed Lord Siva. While searching for the herbal it has become dark and Ambal spread light and helped them with light. Lord Siva showed the place where they can get such herbal. Aswini Dhewas took the herbal and treated Indiran. Indiran got cured of his ailments. Hence Swamy is praised as Marundeeswarar and Ambal in Marundeeswarar temple is praised as Irul Neekkia Ambica – Ambica who drove away darkness.

 

 

 

Arulmigu Kachabeswarar

Arulmigu Anchanakshi Ambal

 

Uthsavamurthy

Amirtha Thyagarajar


 

 





Sculpture on a pillar
Vishnu as Koorma worshipping Siva


 



At  the Entrance of the temple

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pathigam:

 

 

முதுவாய் ஓரி கதற முதுகாட்டெரிகொண் டாடல் முயல்வானே
மதுவார் கொன்றைப் புதுவீ சூடும் மலையான் மகள்தன் மணவாளா
கதுவாய்த் தலையிற் பலிநீ கொள்ளக் கண்டால் அடியார் கவலாரே
அதுவே ஆமா றிதுவோ கச்சூர் ஆலக் கோயில் அம்மானே.

 

அன்னம் மன்னும் வயல்சூழ் கச்சூர்ஆலக் கோயில் அம்மானை
உன்ன முன்னும் மனத்தா ரூரன் ஆரூ ரன்பேர் முடிவைத்த
மன்னு புலவன் வயல்நா வலர்கோனசெஞ்சொல் நாவன் வன்றொண்டன்
பன்னு தமிழ்நூல் மாலை வல்லார் அவரெந் தலைமேற் பயில்வாரே.

 

                                                                       Sundarar ------------ 7th Thirumurai

 

	Timings:          8.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.   Contact:           Sri Kachabeswarar, Marundeeswarar Temple, Tirukachur –                                  603 204, Kancheepuram district.                                  +91- 44 - 2746 4325,2746 3514,2723 3384, 93811 86389     THIRUCHITRAMBALAM