Sri Kaichinneshwarar Swami Temple, Kachanam

This temple is a “Shiva stalam”, meaning a temple revered by the enlightened Saint Poets called Nayanmars in their original poetic compositions.  It is administered by the Kailasounnata Shyamala Peetha Sarvajnapeetham and is the 239th in the series of “Devara Sthalams” i.e. “Paadal Petra Sthalam” (meaning temples that have been sung about by the Nayanmars), which have received the hymns of glory from the Nayanmars.

 

This temple is located at a place called Kaichinnam, also known as Kachanam in Tamilnadu. Over a 1000 years old, the presiding deity of the temple is Lord Paramasiva, in the form of a Svayambhu linga (naturally formed). There is a shrine dedicated to Rishabha Dakshinamurti here as in Tiruvaimur, a famous temple dedicated to Paramasiva. The utsavamoorti (celebration deity) here is Tyagarajar, because Lord Paramasiva once gave darshan (vision) to Lord Indra in the form of “Tyagarajar” and relieved him from his misdeeds. Performing puja (ritualistic worship) here, bestows the merciful blessings of “Lord Kachaneshwarar” (name of the presiding deity) of liberating us from negative acts, when sincerely prayed to.

The great sage, Agastyar, one of the Saptarishis (7 great sages) is also said to have been blessed here.

This exquisite temple is a Maadakkoyil built at an elevation. It has 2 prakarams (outer precincts) with an attractive 3-tiered Rajagopuram (main gateway tower) and beautiful vimanams (shrines). Indra Teertham and the Vajra Teertham (temple tanks, or sacred water bodies) are situated to the north and to the south of this temple. The Vajra teertham was dug by Lord Indra with his Vajrayudha (Indra’s weapon – a type of club that symbolises the thunderbolt, an irresistible force).

To emphasize the beautiful truth that every one should productively use his/her efficiency and education, Mother Saraswati – the Goddess of Wisdom, Mother Durga – the Goddess of efficient action are installed in the prakara (circumambulation path) of the temple followed by Jeshtadevi, the symbol of laziness and indifference, reminding the devotees to avoid these qualities and firmly stand with the former.

The various shrines in this temple are dedicated to the following Gods and Goddesses: Goddesses Durga, Saraswati, Jeshta Devi, Mahalakshmi; Vinayagar, Vidhooman, Murugan, Kashi Vishwanathar, Agasthiyar Lingam, Arumuga Perumal, Gajalakshmi, Navagarahas, Bairavar, Saneeshwarar, Kongu Vananathar, Surya.  

 Historical Happenings in this temple

Lord Indra, King of the Gods, misusing his powers, impersonated Sage Gautama to be with Sage Gautama’s wife Ahilya. Condemning the act of Indra, Sage Gautama inflicted a cursed on him. Though Ahilya was chaste, with a view to get her further purified and liberated by Lord Rama Chandra, the direct incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Sage Gautama turned her into a stone. Devi Ahilya being converted into a stone spiritually signifies the unconscious state of the human mind which only the grace of God can destroy. A superconscious mind would have detected the impersonation of Sage Gautama. Finally after a long time, Ahilya got the ultimate boon of being directly blessed by Lord Rama Chandra, who lifts the most fallen ones and liberates them.

For relief from the curse of Sage Gautama, Indra prayed to Paramasiva, who advised him to make a Shivalinga of sand and worship it by performing abhisheka (offerings made to the Divine with water, milk and other oblations). Knowing it was not possible to perform the abhisheka to a sand linga, he had to undergo long years of suffering. Finally he worshiped the divine Cosmic Mother, Ambika and while embracing the Shivalinga, he cried aloud to Paramasiva for forgiveness, deeply repenting his misdeed.

His fingerprints set on the Shivalinga, as he sincerely hugged and prayed, and Paramasiva granted him pardon and blessed him with a vision of “Tyagarajar”, a form of Paramasiva that epitomises the attribute of “sacrifice”. As Indra’s “kai chinnam” – meaning finger prints – were set on the Lord, the Paramasiva deity here is named “Kai Chinneshwarar” which over time came to be pronounced as “Kacchanam”. He his devotees along with Divine Mother Palvalai Nayaki.

There is also a shrine to Maha Vishnu here, where an image was discovered while excavating an arable tract of land belonging to the temple.

Temple Facts

Paramasiva worshiped as – Kaichinneshwarar or Kachaneshwarar or Hrudaya Kamala Nathar

His Divine Consort – Palvalai Nayaki also called Velvalaiyammai or Matsayadakshi

Vriksham (Sacred Tree) – Konkilavu

Teertham (temple tank, sacred water body) – Indra Teertham

Pathikam (sets of 10 verses of glory by Nayanmar) – Appar (alias Tiru Navukkarasar)

Temple Timings

Morning 6 am to 12 noon and evening 4 pm to 8 pm

Travel Base – Thanjavur

Location ­ – It is located on the Tiruvarur-Tirutturaippundi railroad in the South Indian State of Tamilnadu. It is 20 Kms from Tirvarur, 13 Kms from Tirutirapoondi, 7 Kms from Tirunellikkaval, 10 Kms from Tirukollikaadu,  8 Kms from Tirukaravasal and 122 Kms from Trichy. The names of places mentioned here are famous temple-villages in this belt which people normally visit as a group of places in this land of temples. 

Nearest airport – Tiruchirapalli (Trichy)

Nearest Railway station – Tiruthirapoondi

Buses are available to go from Tiruvarur

Festivals: Brahmotsavam (10-day festival) is celebrated in the Vedic month of Vaikasi (May-June). Other main celebrations here are the Arudra Darisanam (festival where Paramasiva in his dancing form (called Nataraja) performs the Cosmic Dance for his devotees, celebrated in Panguni Uthiram, Skanda Sashti and Navaratri are the other festivals celebrated through the year.