Kanchipuram Arulmigu Onakkandhan Thali Temple

Kanchipuram Arulmigu Onakkandhan Thali Temple is a celebrated Paadal Petra Sthalam (Thondai Nadu Shrine #3) immortalized in the 8th-century Tevaram hymns of Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar. Nestled in Panjupettai near the western precincts of Kanchipuram, the temple boasts a rare dual-sanctum architectural layout housing two principal self-manifested (Swayambhu) Shiva Lingams side-by-side: Sri Oneshwarar and Sri Kanthashwarar.

Spanning across a peaceful stone enclosure, the temple features a 3-tiered Gopuram, the sacred Onakandhan Theertham, and a third shrine of Sri Jalandhareswarar. The temple is renowned across Tamil Nadu for Saint Sundarar's miracle, where Lord Shiva transformed the leaves of the local Tamarind tree into pure gold coins and showered them into Sundarar's hands to feed starving pilgrims.

Asura Commanders Onan & Kanthan Legend

According to the Kanchi Puranam, during the ancient Puranic era, two mighty Asura commanders (Senapatis) of King Banasura named Onan and Kanthan realized that physical power without spiritual grace leads to destruction. Seeking eternal redemption, they arrived at Kanchipuram, dug a sacred bathing tank (Onakandhan Theertham), and installed two Shiva Lingams.

Onan performed intense penance worshipping Sri Oneshwarar, while Kanthan worshipped Sri Kanthashwarar. A third Asura commander named Jalandharan established Sri Jalandhareswarar in the outer prakaram. Lord Shiva, pleased by their sincere devotion, appeared before them, granted spiritual liberation (Moksha), and decreed that the sthalam would bear their names as Onakkandhan Thali (Thali in ancient Tamil = Temple).

Saint Sundarar's Tamarind Leaf Gold Miracle

During Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar's pilgrimage through Thondai Nadu, he ran out of funds to feed his large entourage of Nayanmar disciples. Exhausted and distressed, Sundarar entered Onakkandhan Thali Temple and sang a moving Tevaram decad starting with the words "Naiyum En Manam" (நையும் என் மனம்). He sang: "Oh Lord of Onakkandhan Thali! You reside in this grand temple, yet Your devotees suffer from hunger! If You do not grant me gold to feed Your servants, who else shall I turn to?"

Lord Shiva, deeply touched by Sundarar's plea, turned the green leaves of the local Tamarind tree (Puliya Maram) into shimmering gold coins (Pon) and showered them into Sundarar's upper cloth. Overjoyed by the Lord's divine play (Thiruvilaiyadal), Sundarar gathered the gold coins and organized a grand feast (Annadhanam) for all pilgrims in Kanchipuram.

Onakkandhan Thali is enshrined in the 7th Thirumurai of the Shaivite Tevaram canon composed by Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar.

> Tevaram Verse (Sundarar - 7th Thirumurai, Decad 11, Verse 1): > "நையும் என் மனம் வையமுன் புகழ் > எய்தும் ஓணக்காந்தன் தளி மேவிய > ஐயனே அருளாய் என்று பாடிடக் > கையில் பொன்மழை பெய்தவா கண்டேனே."

Translation: "Oh Master residing at the world-renowned Onakkandhan Thali! As my heart melted and I sang Your praises, I witnessed the miracle of pure gold raining into my hands from Your divine grace!"

The miracle is also documented in Sekkizhar's 12th-century Periya Puranam under the chapter Sundara Moorthy Nayanar Puranam.

• Pallava Inscriptions (7th–8th Century CE): Inscriptions on the central granite plinth record grants by Pallava King Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimha) and Paramesvaravarman I for conducting the daily Three-Kalam poojas.
• Chola Inscriptions (11th Century CE): Epigraphical charters from the reign of Kulothunga Chola I document land donations in Panjupettai for funding the annual Tamarind Gold Utsavam in memory of Sundarar's miracle.

• Dual Sanctum Alignment: The central Garbhagriha features a rare twin-shrine stone architectural plan where Oneshwarar and Kanthashwarar stand in parallel granite sanctums facing East.
• Onakandhan Theertham: An ancient stone step-well designed with subterranean aquifer channels to supply fresh water year-round.

• Gold Coin Tamarind Archana: Special bilva and tamarind leaf archana performed on Mondays to Lord Oneshwarar for devotees seeking financial relief and business prosperity.
• Monthly Pradosham: Holy milk and sandalwood Abhishekam performed simultaneously to both Oneshwarar and Kanthashwarar Lingams.

• Best Months: October to March (pleasant weather for Kanchipuram temple exploration).
• Major Festivals:
• Maha Shivaratri (February–March)
• Sundarar Tamarind Gold Utsavam (Chithirai / April–May)
• Margazhi Arudra Darshan (December–January)

• Tevaram 7th Thirumurai by Saint Sundaramurthy Nayanar.
• Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (Sundara Moorthy Nayanar Puranam).
• Pallava Antiquities by G. Jouveau-Dubreuil (1916, Probsthain & Co.).