Nadeeswarar Thirukanchi

Saivite Temples, Cuddalore District

God

Gangai Varaha Nadeeswarar, facing west

Goddess

Meenakshi, facing east. Kamakshi facing south

Other Deities

Prakaram – Agasthiswarar with Lobamudra, Nataraja with Sivakami, Muruga with consorts, Raahu, Kethu, Naalwar, Bhairava, Navagraha Pongusani, Chandran, Surya, Lakshmi Varahar

Nadeeswarar Thirukanchi is a large and beautiful temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the western entrance. There are 2 3 tiered Gopurams on the south and northern sides of the temple. Nadeeswarar Thirukanchi is situated on the banks of the river Sankarabharani. A single large Prakaram houses all the shrines and deities. The main deity is a 16 faced west facing Shiva Lingam. There are 2 Goddesses here Meenakshi and Kamakshi. There are monuments of Sidhdhars nearby here.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Sankarabharani River

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Nadeeswarar Thirukanchi is an ancient temple which was submerged by the river in the 12th Century CE. A priest is believed to have swum across daily to perform the regular rituals. The main deity was retrieved and rebuilt in its present location by locals.

Legend

The ashes of a dead person being carried in a pot to Kasi by his son is believed to have been turned into flowers by the lord here at Nadeeswarar Thirukanchi, thus making this place holier than Kasi. Raahu and Kethu are said to have worshiped the Lord here at Nadeeswarar Thirukanchi. Sage Agastya is believed to have installed the Lingam here. Sage Agastya and Lord Rama are believed to have performed rites to their forefathers here. Lord Vishnu in the form of Varaha Perumal is believed to have blesses the river Sankarabharani as Uttarvahini here at Nadeeswarar Thirukanchi.

Directions

Nadeeswarar Thirukanchi is about 3.4 kilometers south of Villianur in Pondicherry.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Villianur and Pondicherry.

Saivite Temples

Nadeeswarar, Thirukanchi