SAPTHA STHANA STHALAMS OF KANCHIPURAM

Lord Brahma told the 7 sages namely Aangeerasar, Athri, Kutchar, Kashyapar, Bhargavar, Vasishtar and Gauthamar about the specialities and greatness of Kanchipuram with references from Kanchipurana. He told them that doing a single good deed here gives the benefit of performing more than a thousand good deeds done at various places. Taking the advice of Brahma the 7 sages came to Kanchipuram along with Brahma who showed them the auspicious place for their penance beside the Vegavathy River. Apart from these 7 sages Sage Vyasa also came here performed penance and attained Salvation. They first had a dip in the holy Sivagangai Pond, found inside the Ekambaraeswarar temple, and then perfomed penance at the banks of the Vegavathy river. Brahma also installed a Linga beside the Linga installed by Bargavar and worshipped Shiva.

1. ANGEERASAESWARAR

The Aangeeraeaswarar temple is located outside the Saanthaaleeswarar temple. This linga was worshipped by Rishi Aangeerasa who travelled all over the World. It is the first among the Saptha Sthana Sthala of Kanchipuram. The Linga is a 8 striped Linga with Square Aavudaiyar.

2. ATHREESWARAR

3.KUTCHESWARAR

The Athreeswarar temple was worshipped by the sage Athri. Linga has a round Aavudaiyar We find that the lingas worshipped by many sages are on the banks of the vegavathi river. Now we can find this linga inside the Pachayappa Women’s college. 
The Kuthcheaswarar was worshipped by sage Kutsa. This linga has been place beside the Athreeswarar linga. The Linga had a Aavudaiyar. Later the Aavudaiyar was broken and the Baana is placed beside the Athreeswarar. The Athreeswarar is the second and Kucheswarar is the third of the Saptha Sthana Sthala.

4. KASYABAESWARAR

The Kaasyabheaswarar temple is located near Pachayappas women’s college. The linga was worshipped by Rishi Kaasyapa. It is the fourth of the Saptha Sthana Sthala of Kanchipuram. This is a big Linga with Square Aavudaiyar.

5. BARGAVAESWARAR

This Shiva was worshipped by Sage Brihu also called as Barghavar. This is the 5th Temple of the Saptha Sthala Sthala. The Linga is small and has a round Aavudaiyar. A Linga which was found near the temple is placed in the temple and named as Atheeswarar. This temple is a stone temple.

6. VASISHTESWARAR

Sage Vasishtar worshipped this linga. This temple is just opposite to the Saanthaaleeswarar temple. This is on the banks of river Vedhavathy. This is the 6th of the Saptha Sthana Sthala. Shiva faces west. Linga has a round Aavudaiyar. The Linga is big in size.
A king asked Shiva devotees who worshipped this temple that if he blasted this Linga by keeping fire on it, it would rejoin again. He kept fire for the Linga and blasted it. To the surprise of the King and all people who were watching this the broken pieces of the Linga joined together. 
The linga broke open and later join together in front of the king. Therefore the Shivaa linga is named as Vedithu Koodiya Vasishtaeswarar. The King realised his mistake and worshipped the Linga.
Vinayaka, Murugar, Durgai, Chandikeswarar, Brahma, Lingothbhava, Dhakshinamurthy, Nagar, Bhairavar, Navagraha and Nandhi are found in this temple. There is no flagstaff in this temple.

7. GAUTHAMAESWARAR

The Gauthamaeswarar was worshipped by sage Gauthama. This is found under an Ashwatha tree beside the Uthirameroor road. Now a temple has been constructed. It is the seventh of the Saptha Sthana Sthala. The Linga has a round Aavudaiyar. The Sthala Viruksha of this temple is Peepal tree.