Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Kanchipuram - How it got its name? - Periyavaa

Experiences with Maha Periyava: Periyava's insight 

When Periyava camped for long at the Kolla Chatram in Kanchipuram, He would bathe every day in the tank at the Sri Kacchabeshwara temple. The Puranas say that taking a holy dip in that tank on the Mondays of the Karthika month gives one great merit. So, on one such day, a Karthika Somavara (during 16 Nov to 15 Dec on a Monday), Periyava bathed in the temple tank and went into the temple for darshan of the deity. A devotee from Chennai who had joined the retinue of devotees walking with Periyava, prayed that he may be commanded to leave so that he could visit the Ekambaranatha temple. 

"Today is the Monday in the month of Karthika. Siva-darshan on such a day gives infinite merit. There are many Siva-temples in Kanchipuram. Visit as many as possible. I am ageing. It is not possible for me to visit all the temples. The most ancient temple in this prithvi kshetra is the Sri Kacchabeshwara temple. They say that it was only after this temple was constructed and consecrated that the Ekambareshwara temple was built. This city, is known by many names such as Kacchimudur, Kacchi Ekambaram and so on, all of which have been derived from the name of the deity Kacchabeshwara. It is said that 'Kacchi' became Kanchi in Sanskrit. 
 
The devotee from Chennai was a very learned man. He was amazed at Periyava's knowledge of such historical facts. The close attendants of course know that Periyava knew not only the history of Kanchi but indeed of the whole world. 

Narrated by SriMatham Balu Mama
Source: Maha Periyaval Darisana Anubhavangal – Vol 3
Compiled by Jagadguru Sri Maha Periyava - Kanchi Paramacharya/Fb

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