Abathsahayeswarar Thenneri

Saivite Temples, Kancheepuram Taluk

God

Abathsahayeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Ananthavalli, facing south

Other Deities

Ganesha, Nrithaganapathi, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Anjaneya, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Navagraha

Abathsahayeswarar Thenneri is an ancient temple under the control of Archaeological Survey of India. A large and beautiful outer courtyard leads into the temple which has a single Prakaram. The outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum have a lot of stone inscriptions. In the front there are a few miniature carvings below eye level. The idols are all magnificent works of art. The main deity is a large lingam. There is a large and disused temple tank north of the temple.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Temple tank

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

According to inscriptions found here Abathsahayeswarar Thenneri was built in the year 1090 CE by Kulothunga Chola I.

Legend

In ancient times the lord is believed to have come to the rescue of a king was in crisis and hence his name here is Abathsahayeswarar (one who came to the rescue). It is also said that in a distant Karnataka Village called Elavetti people were perishing every day for some unknown reason. Upon advise by a traveler they came here and worshiped the Lord with Ash, took back and sprayed their village with the same Ash, and the suffering ended.

Directions

Abathsahayeswarar Thenneri is 9 kilometers south of Sunguvarchathiram (in the Chennai to Bangalore highway before Kancheepuram) and in the northern fringes of Thenneri village.

Stay and Food

None locally except tea shops. Closest are the restaurants and hotels in the Highway or at Kancheepuram

Saivite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples