In Chandogya Upanishad, Kanchi is described as Brahmapuram; Atharvaveda hails it as Swargapuri; Taittiriya celebrates it as Swargaloka surrounded by Jyoti- Light. Kanchi is also hailed as Paramakasa, the Supreme Space in Vedas and Vedangas. Dravida Vedas, Tamil hymns also extol the city as Kamakoshtam, which is rare to attain for humans.
Iswara, possessed of eight attributes like Anantasakti (limitless power), Aluptasakti (undecaying power) and Anadibodha (awareness without beginning), has laid down Nitya, Naimittika and Kamya Karmas for humans to progress spiritually. All regions on this earth outside of Bharatakhanda can only bestow fruits of Nitya Archana. However Bharatakhanda, limited by Himalayas, Sethu and the oceans on the west and east, is alone capable of conferring the fruits of all three Archanas – Nitya, Naimittika and Kamya. Sivakshetras in Bharatadesa are in crores; 1008 of them are said to be specially efficacious; 108 of them are further more sought after; 68 of them are even more special; Kashi is the best of all of them. However Siva himself has said that Kanchipuram is even more pleasing for us, humans. Sri Ekamranatha Temple First Avarana (Enclosure) Murthy- Sri Ekamranatha – Siva Lingam, worshipped by Sri Kamakshi Devi. Tirtham – Sivaganga, Kampa river, Umabhadra, Kirtimathi. Sthala Vriksham (Tree) – Mango. Second Avarana (Enclosure) On the right of Sri Ekamranatha is Dhavala Ekamra (‘Vellaikkambar’), worshipped by Brahma; on the left is Chora Ekamra (‘Kallakkambar’), worshipped by Vishnu; on the north-east is ‘Nallakambar, worshipped by Rudra. These three deities emanated from three eyes of Sri Lalita Devi, who emerged on completion of Sivayaga by Siva in the crematorium in Kanchi. On the south is Agastiswara, worshipped by sage Agastya here, during his trip down South from Kashi for subduing Vindhya mountain’s arrogance. Agastya prayed for ability to bring out Tamil language as desired by Devas. On the west is Ashtottarasata Lingam (108 Lingas). These Lingas came into being from the sand brought together with Yoga danda etc. by Uma Devi from Badarikasrama, as instructed by Siva. On the south-west of these Lingas is Vinayaka, and north-west is Subrahmanya; both of them were adored by Sri Kamakshi Devi before offering worship to Sri Ekamreswara. On the north is Markandeyeswara. Once during Pralaya, sage Markandeya swam in the waters and was distressed not to find any place of rest. At that time the Mango Tree in Kanchi grew up above the water level and caught the eye of Markandeya. The sage caught hold of the Tree and later worshipped joyfully the Tree and Ekamreswara. He then established Markandeyeswara for his own worship here. By the side is Maddala Madhaveswara. Once Vishnu witnessed the Cosmic dance of Sri Nataraja at Chidambaram and prayed that he also wished to play Maddalam (drum) like Nandi did during the dance. Nataraja asked him to proceed to Kanchi, establish Siva Linga there, obtain this boon, then go over to Chidambaram and play the Maddalam. The Lingam set up and worshipped by Madhava here is Maddala Madhaveswara. On the east is ‘Nilattingattunda Vishnu’. During the churning of the Milk Ocean, when Halahala poison came out, Vishnu felt miserable. At that time Siva asked him to present himself before Siva in Kanchi so that he would get relieved of the heat of the poison from exposure to the cool rays of thd Moon on Siva’s head. This is one of the important places of worship of Vishnu. On the north is the Tirtha (well) called Kirtimathi, the water of which is used for the Puja of Ekamreswara. On the south-east is the Tirtha (well) in the kitchen, called Umabhadra, used for the bath of Sri Kamakshi. Third Avarana (Enclosure) In this enclosure, on the south-west is a Siva Linga which contains 108 Lingas. On the north-west is another Linga which has 1008 Lingas. In between are Sri Ekamranatha in wedding scene, Mango Tree, Subrahmanya at the foot of the Tree and Gangachailalaka (‘Elavar Kuzhali’) (Ganga in this form). On the north is Pralayabandhini. When Sri Kamakshi Devi was worshipping the Siva Linga of sand, Kampa river flooded the place as willed by Siva. Concerned with the safety of the sand Linga, Sri Devi asked one of her attendants to stop the flood. That Sakthi contained the flood in a Kapala (skull) called Visvabhakshana. She is Pralayabandhini. By the side is Sri Nataraja. When he asked Vishnu, who desired to play Maddala, to go to Kanchi, he also told him: “Here at Chidambaram, we dance in Chidakasa restricted to Chitsabha only; but in Kanchi we dance “Raksha Tandava’ in Chidakasa spread over the entire city right upto its limits; you may witness it there.” Also by the side is ‘Karunthadankanni’. When Sri Kamakshi turned into Gowri, this Devi of dark form emerged from her. Fourth Avarana (Enclosure) At the spot of Dvajasthambha (Flag-staff), is Mahasmasana (‘Kachchi Mayaanar’). Once Devas including Vishnu started to lose their vitality when an Asura called Bandhakasura entered their forms and began consuming their inner strength. They could not find out the cause of this sudden development and prayed to Siva in Kailasa for relief. Siva explained the reason, and asked them to turn into materials for use in a Siva Yaga to be performed by him in Kanchi. Siva along with Uma Devi performed the Siva yaga and burnt away all the materials by using them as Ahuti (offerings in fire). Bandhakasura died. The place of yaga became a crematorium (Smasana) as people also died there. Siva, who was radiant in the form of Yagagni, turned into a Linga, who came to be known as Mahasmasana (Kachchi Mayaneswara). On the east is Valiswara. This is Siva Linga, Swayambhu Murthy, with the imprint of Vali’s tail. Vali, the son of Indra, had worshipped him for the boons of getting half the might of the opponent in any battle and for victory at all times. K Rajaram IRS 9525 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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