Travel Guide - Paadal Petra Sthalams in and around Kanchipuram

There are nine significant Shiva temples (Paadal Petra Sthalams) in and around Kanchipuram that are revered in Thevaram. All these temples can be visited in a day, based on my travel experience the optimal sequence (based on distance and temple open timings) of the pilgrimage is suggested below. This sequence is suitable for those travelling from Chennai/Vellore or from any other place approaching Kanchipuram through Chennai Bangalore National Highway. This plan is based on private mode of transportation like car/auto, if using public transportation it may not be possible cover all the locations in a day since the frequency and coverage of public transport is limited. The other option is to use public transport until Kanchipuram bus stand and from there cab or auto can be hired. Kanchipuram is well connected from Chennai and many other cities of Tamil Nadu. Overall distance for the round trip upto Kanchipuram bus stand is approximately 105 kms. Please share to others.

1. Kanchipuram-Kachi Neri Karaikadu – Sathyanatha Swamy Temple

Location/ Directions	Thirukalimedu which is 2 kms from Kanchipuram bus stand
Distance/Time	2 kms, 10 mins travel.
Temple Timings	7 am to 1 pm, 4 pm to 7 pm
Sugg. Visit Time	7 am
Lord Siva	Sathyanatha Swamy, Sathya viradheswarar, Karai Thirunadheswarar
Ambal	Brahmambigai
Sung by	Thirugnanasambandar
Significance Suyambu (self-manifested) lingam with a coarse and slight reddish texture, it is said that the colour of the lingam changes in accordance with the prevailing social conditions. Indra, the lord of the devas worshipped here and created a tank – Indra theetham. This temple is also famous for Budhan (planet mercury), those who have unfavorable position of Budhan in their horoscope can seek the grace of the Lord Shiva by worshipping on Wednesday. Powered by Google Maps

2. Makaral-Thiru Makaraleswarar Temple

Location/ Directions	This temple is located on the Kanchipuram--Uthiramerur route at a place called Makaral.  From Thirukalimedu, Uthiramerur road can be reached via Amudhapadi back street. Keep contuining crossing Orikkai and Kuruvimalai.After crossing Melperamanallur bus stop, Uthiramerur road turns sharp right. At this junction,  take left to reach the temple
Distance/Time	15 kms from previous point, 30 mins drive
Temple Timings	7:30 am to 12 pm, 5 pm to 8 pm
Sugg.Visit Time	8 am
Lord Siva	Makaraleswarar, Adaikalamkatha nathar,Udumbeesar
Ambal	Thiribhuvana nayaki
Sung by	Thirugnanasambandar – 1
Significance Unique Siva lingam in the form of tail of a monitor lizard (Udumbu in Tamil, hence one of the name is Udumbeesar). Offering prayers is said to alleviate the fear of death; childless couple are graced with a child. As per the legend, Brahma created a lingam here and worshipped the lord for the redemption of His curse.  While returning back to Brahmaloka, Brahma created a Jack fruit tree that would produce delicious jack fruit every day. Rajendra Chola, son of Raja raja Chola made an arrangement in such a way that these fruits will be offered to Lord Nataraja in Chidambaram everyday and later delivered to the King’s palace as the prasadham. This continued for a few period of time. One of the workmen associated with this task of transporting jack fruits found it hard to repeat every day and he felled the jack fruit tree and fled away fearing the wrath of the king. Rajendra chola was extremely disappointed and he himself set forth in search of the missing person along with some of his guards. While the search was going on, the King spotted a monitor lizard with a golden hue running towards a bush. He sent his guards to hunt the monitor lizard and blood started gushing from its tail due to the attack. At this point, the King fainted and soon after his recovery, he was made to realize by a cosmic voice that the monitor Lizard is none other than the Lord himself and expanded this temple construction as per the divine impulse. If this temple is visited during Abhishekham time, we can see the complete tail form of the Lingam. Powered by Google Maps

3. Kanchipuram-Kuranganilmuttam - Thiru Valeeswarar Temple

Location/ Directions	From Makaral, retrace the route back on Uthiramerur road towards Kuruvimalai. At kuruvimalai, there will be a bridge and just before the brdige, there will be a small road on the left side which needs to be taken. From this point, the road will be narrow and winding upto the destination. Keep contuining until you reach the Pallava caves (one of the ASI monument), from this point the temple is within 200 metres.
Distance/Time	15 kms from previous point, 30 min drive
Temple Timings	7 am to 10 am, 4 pm to 7 pm. Avoid travelling after sunset since the roads are narrow and poorly lit making navigation difficult.
Sugg. Visit Time	9 am
Lord Siva	Valeeswarar, Koyyamalai nathar
Ambal	Irayar Valaiammai
Sung by	Thirugnanasambandar – 1
Significance Vali (brother of Sughriva), Indra and Yama worshipped Lord Siva in this temple in the form of Monkey, Squirrel and Crow respectively. Hence the name Kuranganilmuttam – Kurangu (Monkey form – Vali) + Anil (Squirrel form – Indra)+ Muttam (Crow form – Yama). The temple tank – Kakkai theertham is said to be created by Yama himself when he had assumed the crow form. Powered by Google Maps

4. Cheyyar -Vedapureeswarar Temple

Location/ Directions	From Kuranganilmuttam, travel to Dusi village which is about 1.5 kms in the west. Turn left onto Kanchipuram - Tiruvannamali road, after travelling 5.5 kms you will reach Indian Bank Mangal cross road, take right turn towards Cheyyar - Kanchipuram road. At the end of this road, take left turn on Cheyyar road to reach the temple via Gandhi road.
Distance/Time	27 kms from previous point, 45 mins drive.
Temple Timings	6 am to 12 pm, 4 pm to 8:30 pm
Sugg.Visit Time	10:15 am
Lord Siva	Vedhapureeswarar, Vedhanathar
Ambal	Balakusambigai, Ilamulainayagi
Sung by	Thirugnanasambandar - 1
Significance Lord Siva bestowed the vedic knowledge to Devas and Sages, hence He is known as Vedhapureeswar. Nandi in this temple does not face the lord, instead facing towards the entrance of the temple.  Lord Muruga worshipped His father in this shrine. Thirugnanasambandar while visiting this temple did a miracle of converting male Palmyra tree (Panai Tree in tamil) into female tree on the request of a staunch devotee who lived here. Powered by Google Maps

5. Thiruppanangadu Thalapureeswarar Temple

Location/ Directions	From Gandhi road, drive towards Cheyyar road (right turn at toll gate bus stop). Pass by devi theatre and turn left towards SH5. After about 7 km take right turn and keep continuing till Arcot-Kanchipuram road.After 6 kms turn left and keep continuing till we reach Thiruppanangadu, from there take a right turn to reach the temple at 2 kms
Distance/Time	24 kms from previous point, 45 mins drive
Temple Timings	7 am to 12 pm, 5 pm to 8 pm
Sugg. Visit Time	11:30 am
Lord Siva	Panankattu eswarar, Thalapureeswarar,Krubanadheswarar
Ambal	Amirtavalli, Krubanayagi
Sung by	Sundarar - 1
Significance On entering the temple, you can see two temples each with its own set of Nandi, Altar and Sanctum. On the right side is Krubanadheswarar, and on the left is Thalapureeswarar. Similarly there are two Ambal shrines. Thalapureeswarar lingam was founded by Sage Agastya while he was alone in the southern part of the world when all others were in the northern part during the Lord Siva’s marriage. Krubhanadheswarar lingam was founded by sage Pulastya, the disciple of Agastya. Hence it is a custom to first worship Thalapuleeswarar and then Krubhanadheswarar. Powered by Google Maps

After you finish dharshan in this temple, it will be almost 12:30 PM and the temples would be closed .till at least 4 pm. Hence lunch break and rest can be taken during this time slot There are no hotels available in Thirupanangadu, hence you can proceed directly to Ekambareswarar temple where good hotels are available in the nearby vicinity.

6. Kanchipuram - Ekambareswarar Temple

Location/ Directions	From Thirupanangadu village, take the Arcot-Kanchipuram and after about 7 kms take the left into Arcot-kanchipuram after passing TMPPL. Keep contuining until thayarkulam st and take right and again left unto Pachaiyappan street. Keep contuining to reach the temple.
Distance/Time	18 kms from the previous point, 40 mins drive
Temple Timings	6 am to 12:30 pm, 4 pm to 8:30 pm
Sugg. Visit Time	4 pm
Lord Siva	Ekambareswarar
Ambal	Kamatchi Amman
Sung by	Appar – 7, Thirugnanasambandar – 4, Sundarar - 1
Significance This magnificent temple is crown among all the Siva temples in Kanchipuram. One among the pancha bootha sthalams (5 temples dedicated to elements) representing the earth. Lingam in the main sanctum is made of sand. As per the legend, Parvati once closed the eyes of Lord Siva playfully because of which the entire universe went in dark. However, He restored the light by opening the third eye. He instructed Parvati Devi to go to earth and do a penance on Him to absolve Herself from the sin resulting due to hardship caused to the lives existing in the universe. Paying respect to the Lord’s command, She came to Kanchipuram, created a Siva lingam out of sand from Kamba river bank and started severe penance. After some point in time, there was a heavy flood in the river and water level rapidly rose. Parvati completely embraced the Lingam and protected from being washed away by the flood. This flood was caused by Lord Himself to show the world the greatness of Parvati’s penance. Lord appeared and married Her, the divine mother started gracing as Kamatchi Amman in Kanchipuram. It is said that the Siva lingam still bears the impressions created by Her while embracing. Powered by Google Maps

7. Kanchipuram-Onakkandhan Thali Temple

Location/ Directions	Panjupettai Big Street
Distance/Time	1.4 kms from Ekambareswarar temple on the back side. 5 mins drive.
Temple Timings	7 am to 9 am, 5 pm to 7 pm
Sugg. Visit Time	5:15 pm
Lord Siva	Oneswarar,Kandheswarar,Salandheswarar
Ambal	Kamatchi Amman
Sung by	Sundarar - 1
Significance Asuras – Onan and Kandhan worshipped the lord here for their redemption, hence the name Onakkandhanthali. There are three sanctums and three lingams, the first one located directly in line with the entrance is a great sight to behold. Lingam is quite big with thick bands of Vibhudi adorning. Sundarar prayed to this Lord for bestowing wealth on him, his pathigam on this temple is set in a humorous tone mildly criticizing the Lord for not giving him wealth. Powered by Google Map

8. Kanchipuram-Kachi Anegathangapadheswarar Temple

Location/ Directions	From Onakandhanthali temple, left turn into Panjupettai st and after reaching the main road turn left into Kanchipuram-Tirupati highway. Turn left at Oli Muhammed Pettai Jumma masjid and keep continuing till you turn right at Sathankuttai street.Keep going until you turn right at Kailasanathar temple to reach the temple.
Distance/Time	2.2 kms from the previous point, 15 mins drive
Temple Timings	7 am to 10 am, 5 pm to 7 pm
Sugg. Visit Time	6 pm
Lord Siva	Anegathangapadheswarar
Ambal	Kamatchi Amman
Sung by	Sundarar - 1
Significance Lord Ganesha created the Shiva lingam and worshipped. It is said that Kubera also have worshipped here. This temple has been mentioned in Kanchipuranam.

Note: - Kailasanathar temple is about 100 metres away from the temple, yet another great temple and a must visit. This temple is about 100 years and was build by Narasimha pallava ,has a huge Siva lingam almost in the size of Thanjavur Brahadeeswarar temple. Also inside the main sanctum there is a narrow passage circumambulating the Lord, the entry point on the left represents the death and exit point on the right represents the birth.

9. Kanchipuram-Thiru Metrali Nathar temple

Location/ Direction	Proceed east on Kailasanathar road and turn right at raja cafe into Krishnan street. Keep continuing and turn right at Thirugnanasambandar temple into Metrali street to reach the temple.
Distance/Time	1.5 km from the previous point, 10 mins drive
Temple Timings	7 am to 12 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
Sugg. Visit Time	7:30 pm
Lord Siva	Thirumetralinathar
Ambal	Kamatchi Amman
Sung by	Appar – 1, Sundarar - 1
Significance Lord Vishnu once wanted to attain the Linga form and Lord Siva told that His desire will be fulfilled when Thirugnanasambandar visits this shrine. Subsequently Lord Vishnu was on a long penance praying to the Suyambu lingam here, Thirugnanasambandar during his visit was singing the praise of the Lord. Listening to the soulful rendering of Sambandar, Lord Vishnu slowly transformed himself into the Linga form except His foot. This is the only temple where you can see the Linga form of Vishnu and also His lotus feet in front of the lingam. In front of the temple entrance, on the other end of street is a small temple dedicated to Thirugnanasambandar. Powered by Google Maps

Overall Route Map - approx 105 kms

Map can be downloaded using this link 

Kanchipuram Paadal Petra Sthalam Route Map

Powered by Google Maps