176. OCHERI

SUYAMBUNADHAR TEMPLE

Distance: 17kms from Kancheepuram

Shiva: Suyambhunadhar

Amman: Kaamakshi

Sthala Viruksham: 

Theertham:

Speciality:

The entrance of the temple faces south. 

Mulavar Shiva faces east.

More than 2000 years old.

Amman Kamakshi faces south and is seen in a standing posture.

Thirunavukkarasar and Vallideivanai Murugar are found in the Arthamandapam.

There is a Mahamandapam where the Nandhi is situated.

There are Balipeetam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhikeswarar in the entrance of the temple.

This temple gives relief from stomach problems and hindrances in marriage. 

This is a Thula Rasi Lagna Sthalam. 

This is a special Sthala for Yoga. 

Sages are believed to worship here but are invisible.

History:

Aadhithya Chola, Son of Parakesari Vijayalaya Chola, conquered Pandyas, Pallavas and Chieftains of Kongunaadu. While returning after the victory over Kongunaadu, he wished to go to Kanchipuram. On the way since it became dark he decided to stay in Ochcham Cheri. Preparations were made for his stay by his soldiers and ministers. The king wanted to know the importance of the place. He was told that the meaning of Ochcham means fame and Cheri is a place of residence. 

One community of traders lived here whose commerce took place in Kanchipuram. The traders were rich as their business yielded high income to them. The taxes collected from the traders yielded much income to the Kingdom. The King was told about the Shiva temple here. He wanted to worship the Shiva temple and he asked the people about the importance of the temple.

Once upon a time in the month of Ayppasi (normally a cold month) the heat of the Sun was so intense. The people could not bear it and they prayed to lord Shiva for their relief. Shiva appeared as a Suyambhu Linga and asked the people to worship the Linga. Poojas were performed to the Linga by the villagers. The heat produced by the sun got lessened and in the same month of Ayppasi the rays of the moon has been increased by the lord from 15 rays to 16 rays. Therefore the Sun and the moon worship here on the Ayppasi Powrnami day. 

A rich merchant suffered from severe stomach ache. No doctors could cure him. He was advised to visit this temple, perform milk Abhishekam and worship Shiva. He did so and consumed the Milk after the Abhishekam. He performed this for Several days. They intensity of his disease started lowering and finally he got completely cured. After this incident he lived long.

The Linga is believed to grow. Therefore in ancient days the Baana was worshipped without the Aavudaiyar. Later the Baanalinga was fixed in the Aavudaiayar during consecration of the temple. The Aavudaiyar slowly started developing cracks as the Baana Linga started expanding. This has happened 4 times and the Aavudaiyar has been changed 4 times. 

These  stories were told to the King. After the King learnt about the importance of the temple he went to the temple and worshipped Lord Shiva. The King was very happy and he ordered his men to convert the brick temple into a stone temple, since stone temple last long. He left to Kanchipuram happily. As instructed by Aadhithya Chola the stone temple was constructed.