Manikandeswarar Kancheepuram

God

Manikandeswarar, facing west

Goddess

Sundarambal, facing north in a separate shrine

Other Deities

Varasidhi Vinayakar outside entrance. Prakaram – Saneeswara, Vinayaka, Muruga with consorts, Markandeswarar, Panamanishwarar, Kanikandeswarar, Bhairava, Naagar, Padavettamman, Navagraha, Balamuruga, Surya. Sanctum niches – Durga, Brahma, Chandikeswara, Vishnu, Dakshinamurthy, Vinayaka

Manikandeswarar Kancheepuram is an ancient west facing shrine with entrance from the south. The large and spacious single Prakaram houses all the shrines and deities. Dakshinamurthy facing Navagraha is an important feature here. The temple has several stone inscriptions in the sanctum sanctorum. At the entrance ot the sanctum are Vinayaka, Balamuruga and Surya. There is a Temple Tank inside the campus on the east side. The beautiful Vimaanam is large and imposing. The Nandi here is huge and wonderfully sculpted out of a single stone. The ceiling at the entrance of the Mantapa has carvings of snake and moon and fishes. There are minutely carved beads in the sanctum walls which along with some of the idols exhibit finesse.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Sani Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Manikandeswarar Kancheepuram was built during the Pallava era about 1300 years ago. Several stone inscriptions are found on the outer walls of the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Legend

Lord Saneeswara is believed to have prayer and performed pooja to the Lord here and Sani Pradosham is an elaborate ritual here.

Directions

Manikandeswarar Kancheepuram is a kilometer before and on the road to Varadaraja Perumal temple as you go from the town center.

Stay and Food

Kancheepuram has many restaurants and hotels. Ramas Cafe opposite the more well known Saravana Bhavan is a good place to eat.