When Saint Tirugnana Sambandar visited Kanchipuram, it is believed that he stayed at this location. Of the five Padal Petra Shiva temples in Kanchi, Sambandar composed hymns for two: the Tirumetrali Eswarar temple and the Tirukkaleeswarar temple. However, only the hymns dedicated to the Tirukkaleeswarar temple are preserved. According to legend, at this temple, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Lord Shiva after hearing Sambandar’s sacred hymns. Vishnu, desiring to attain the form of Shiva as a path to liberation, performed penance here for many years. Shiva, moved by Vishnu’s devotion, instructed him to wait for the arrival of his devotee and prodigy, Sambandar. Upon Sambandar’s arrival, Vishnu continued his meditation until he heard the saint’s hymns. Overwhelmed by the divine music, Vishnu’s heart and body melted, and he transformed into Shiva, thus earning the name ‘Odha Urugeesar’ (the one who melted upon hearing the hymns). This transformed deity is the focus of the temple, while Shiva himself is enshrined in a separate small shrine. Although this legend relates to Tirumetrali Eswarar and Sambandar, the hymns he is believed to have sung here are not available. The Sambandar temple, located opposite the Tirumetrali Eswarar temple on the same street, is renowned for having been the place where Shiva devotees welcomed Sambandar upon his arrival in Kanchipuram.
Location
Pillayar Palayam, located across from the Tirumetrali Eswarar temple.