Importance of Chandikeswarar in Shiva Temples:

Lord Chandikeswarar is a great Shivanadiyar and He will always be in meditation on Lord Shiva.

According to the Hindu Mythology, as a young boy, he spent all his time making lingams out of sand and meditating. One day, his father got angry and kicked the lingam. The child got angry, and at once he cut off his father’s leg, for daring to kick his lord. After seeing this act, Lord Shiva appeared from the Shiva Lingam and blessed the boy, giving him a permanent place in his temple. He also gave his father his leg back.

It is believed that Chandikeswarar forever lives in a state of deep meditation. It is believed that he is the one who keeps records of who visits to the temple and also takes care of the properties of Lord Shiva.

Lord Chandikeswarar one of the Eshwaras like Nandhi, Shani and Ravanan. He is also considered as one of the symbols of Lord Shiva like Nandhi, Vibuthi, Rudhraksha and Vilva leafs.

Also He is one of the principle deities that go on procession during the Brahmotsavam. The group of five deities is ceremonially taken out of the temple during the festive periods. They are collectlively known as ‘Panchamoorthies – (Five Idols)’ namely Ganesha, Subramaniya, Somasakandha, Goddess or the Amman and Chandikeswara.

A separate shrine of Lord Chandikeswara is found in all the Shiva Temples just near the water spout (Gomugam) and it is said that one should not come in between the shrine and the water spout. This is the reason why the shrine of Chandikeswarar is not circumambulated while coming around the temple.

He is not offered any new clothes or flowers except for those that adorn the Lord first.  When we complete our worship in the main shrine, and get the Prasadam by the priest, we should take the prasadam to the shrine of Chandikeswarar and offer the same to him and then only take the same.

People normally make a common mistake in temples by making sound in front of Chandikeswarar. Chandikeswara is always in deep penance and hence we should not disturb him. There are 2 different beliefs and customs that are followed while worshipping the Lord Chandikeswara.

As per one of the traditions, it is customary that we just tap our hands gently without making noise and chant the name of Lord Shiva 3 times just to mark our presence in the temple. It is believed that Lord Chandikeswara is the one who keeps records of our visits to the temple.

As per another mythology, it is also said that we should just rub both our hands in front of him to assure that we are not taking anything from the temple (Since Chandikeswara is considered as the care taker of Lord Shiva’s Properties.

In both these, devotees ensure that they don’t disturb the deep meditation of Lord Chandikeswara.