PURANA & ABIMANA STHALAM 3
THIRUKKUDANTHAI
PURANA & ABIMANA STHALAM 3
THIRUKKUDANTHAI
PURANA & ABIMANA STHALAM 3
THIRUKKUDANTHAI
PURANA & ABIMANA STHALAM 3
THIRUKKUDANTHAI
PURANA & ABIMANA STHALAM 3
THIRUKKUDANTHAI
PURANA & ABIMANA STHALAM 3
THIRUKKUDANTHAI
PURANA & ABIMANA STHALAM 3
THIRUKKUDANTHAI
Less than two kilometers north of the Ramasamy Temple in Kumbakonam, is an
ancient shrine known as Chakrapani Temple. Built in the 13th century, it is one of
the most colorful and vividly sculptured temples in Tamil Nadu. Chakrapani Temple,
also known as Chakrathazhwar Temple, is situated on the southern banks of the holy
river Cauvery. It was mostly built by the Nayak kings, with construction spanning the
13th to 17th centuries.
PURANA & ABIMANA STHALAM 3
THIRUKKUDANTHAI
The presiding deity here is Sri Chakraraja, is joined by Sri Sudarshana Chakra, who
also presides in the sanctum sanctorum. The Lord's consort is Sudarshanavalli
thayar. Vilva (Bilwa) archana is performed here for Perumal (Visnu), although it is
more typically offered to Shiva. Like Tulasi, Vilva leaves are one of the eight leaves
mentioned in pancharatram texts as being suitable for offering to the Lord. Maha
Laksmi is said to reside in the Vilva tree.
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Lord Brahma, Surya and Agni glorified Lord Visnu here. Devotees offer worship to a
deity of Brahmadeva here, found in the posture of worshipping Sri Chakraraja. Surya
and Agni's murti are also here.
Sri Chakraraja is seen standing on a lotus platform, with eight hands holding conch,
chakra, bow, axe, shove, gadai, stick, and lotus. His consorts, Sudarshanavalli and
Vijayavalli thayar, are seated. Behind Sri Chakraraja is Sudarshan Chakra, who
resides here in honor of a pastime wherein Lord Chakraraja subdued Surya, who had
become puffed up. On certain days, the sun's rays fall directly on the deities.
Lord Chakrapani has a third eye on His forehead, an attribute typically associated
with Shiva. Sri Chakra symbolizes Maha Vishnu, who adorns his right hand, therefore
Chakrapani is also known as Chakra-roopa Vishnu, Hethiraja, Sudarsana Raja, and
Chakrathazhwar.
Lord Brahma's presence here is associated with a pastime wherein Maha Visnu sent
Sri Chakra to kill the demon Jalanthar-asura. Sri Chakra traveled to Patalaloka, killed
the demon, and re-emerged unscathed from the River Kaveri at Kumbakonam. He
placed himself in the hands of Lord Brahma, who was taking bath there. Delighted by
His arrival, Brahma consecrated the place where Sri Chakra had appeared, the
temple was constructed, and Lord Brahma offered Sri Chakra worship here. Chakra
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THIRUKKUDANTHAI
Theertham is also here, along with Amirtha Pushkarani, on the north side of the
temple.
Surya's presence here has to do with his failed attempt to compete with Visnu.
Arrogant Surya wished to be judged a brighter celestial personality than the Lord,
who manifested Himself in the form of Sudarshan Chakra, cutting down Surya's
pride. Visnu increased His own radiance by absorbing Surya's rays, thus dwarfing
him. In order to regain his original brilliance, Surya surrendered to Sri Chakra, who
appeared with three eyes and eight arms, shining like the fire of Agni. Surya's
effulgence was eventually restored. Surya, who is also known as Bhaskara, asked
that this place be named Bhaskara Kshetram, after him.
Chakrapani Temple faces east, and the central shrine has two main entrances. The
southern entrance is used during the Dakshinayana period, when the sun is in the
southern hemisphere, and the northern entrance is used during the uttarayana
period, when the sun is in the northern hemisphere. The eastern and western
entrances are known as Thatchinaya vayil and Utharavanan vayil, respectively. The
outer prakara of the temple was built in the form of a balcony.
There are subsidiary deity shrines here for Agampara Vinayakar (Ganesh) in the
south, and Panchamuga Aancheneyar (Hanuman) in the north. A mirror has been
placed so that Hanuman's rear face can be seen. As they prepare to exit the temple,
PURANA & ABIMANA STHALAM 3
THIRUKKUDANTHAI
devotees are greeted by brass statues of King Saraboji and his queen. The king is
said to have been cured of severe colic here in the temple.
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THIRUKKUDANTHAI
The main festivals at Chakrapani Temple are Vaikunda Ekadasi and Masi-maham.
Special pujas are conducted on Saturdays. On certain festival days, Lord Chakrapani
goes out on procession to greet Sri Anjaneya Swami, the presiding deity of nearby
Sri Ramaswamy temple. Vice versa, Sri Anjaneya Swami sometimes comes to
Chakrapani to visit Lord Chakrapani.
To enjoy the photos of Sri Chakrapani Swamy pl log on to
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ksjegan/SriChakrapaniTemple02#