Kaichinneswarar, Kachanam, Tiruvarur

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Kaichinneswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Swetavana Nayaki
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	Tirukkaichchinam
Vriksham:	Kongu Ilavu	Teertham:	Vajra Teertham, Indra Teertham, Agastya Teertham
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	6 to 12 & 4 to 8	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Then Karai)	–
Sung by:	Sambandar	Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Kachanam	District:	Tiruvarur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Thiruvarur (21 km)	Nagapattinam (31 km)
	Kumbakonam (59 km)	Mayiladuthurai (65 km)

Location

Kachanam is located 9 km from Tiruthuraipoondi and 18 km from Tiruvarur.

Sthala puranam and temple information

Indra once desired Ahalya, the wife of Sage Gautama, and through deceit, was able to be with her. Sage Gautama, who realized what had happened, cursed Ahalya to turn to a stone and be redeemed by Rama during the Rama Avataram, and also cursed Indra to sprout one thousand pustules on his body. Indra prayed to Lord Siva fervently, but to no avail because of the nature of his crime. Yet, the Lord instructed Indra to make a Lingam out of sand and performing abhishekam to it.

As this was not possible, Indra was at a loss at what to do and approached the Goddess with a gift of ivory bangles made from the tusks of Airavata (giving Her the name veLvaLainayaki – veL=white, vaLai=bangle). But even that did not help. In his utter helplessness and desperation, he embraced the Lingam and wept, showing true regret and penitence for his sins. The ever-forgiving Lord Siva took pity on him and relieved him of the curse. The Lingam worshipped by Indra is the moola Lingam at this temple, along with marks from his hands. Hence the Lord here is called Kichinneswarar (kai=hand, chinnam=mark).

Following the puranam, the town used to be called Kaichinnam, which over time has corrupted to Kachcnam.

It is believed that the temple tank (to the south of the temple) was dug by Indra using his Vajrayudham, and so is called the Vajra Teertham or Indra Teertham.

It is believed that worshipping relieves one of any and all sins.

This is one of the 78 maadakoil temples built by Kochchenga Cholan. This is a medieval Chola temple, with beautifully crafted pillars, koshtams, etc throughout the outer perimeter covering the ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and garbhagriham. In particular, both Dakshinamurti and Ardhanareeswarar are seated on Rishabha Vahanam, which is unique. The temple also has a separate shrine for Srinivasa Perumal and for Jyeshta Devi. There are also several inscriptions on the stone walls in the temple.

Other information for your visit

Because of its location, accommodation options nearby are budget and mid-range ones at Mannargudi and Tiruvarur. There is a good (but crowded) place in Tiruthuraipoondi called Iyer Mess, located on Sannathi street, as a nearby food option.