Chitragupta Temple, Kanchipuram
Chitragupta
Temple is located very near to main bus stand near the Rettai Mandapam.
It is a unique and exclusive ninth century Chola period temple dedicated
to Chitragupta, the chief accountant and the minister of Lord Yama, the God of
Death. Chitragupta keeps record of all the good and evil deeds of humans and
accordingly decides to send them to heaven or hell. Lord Brahma created
Chitragupta through the Sun God and he is considered the younger brother of
Lord Yama.
People
believe that Chitragupta is the Athi Devathai for Kethu which is one of the
Navagrahas. So, anyone who worships Chitragupta at the temple would be bestowed
with prosperity and wealth. The vices of the Kethu would also be mitigated.
Some say that for naga dosham one travels to Kalahasti, but it is incomplete
since at Kalahasti, only the Rahu Pariharam is done and without Ketu, the Pariharam
is incomplete. Hence a visit to Chitragupta temple on the same day will
complete the dosha.
There
are a large number of worshippers and devotees who come to the temple, to
perform pujas, especially during the Pournami or full moon every month. It is
but a blessing that Shri Chitragupta Swamy in accompany of Shri Karnagi Ambal
is seated in the Sanctorum of a temple in the centre of Kanchipuram near the
bus stand. This temple adds effect to Kanchipuram town which is considered as
one of the seven heavens.
All
these years till now the temple is well maintained by the Karuneegar Community
and added to this, the HR & CE has appointed a trustee to facilitate better
functioning. The appointed trustee is also from the Karuneegar Community.
Legends
Parvathi giving life to a picture of rainbow colors
created by Shiva:
One
version narrates as Lord Shiva gave a picture depicting the rainbow colours
which was given life by Goddess Parvathi and eventually became Shri Chithra (picture)
Guptha Swamy.
Kamadhenu delivering Chitragupta:
In order
to clear the curse of Shri Indira Devan, Shri Chitragupta Swamy was delivered
by Kamadhenu in the Indira Heaven. That is why we avoid cow’s milk and curd to
sanctify the deity of Shri Chitragupta Swamy.
Etymology:
‘Chith’
means inner conscience. ‘Aptham’ means hidden conscience. Whatever we hold back
in our conscience is brought out by Shri Chitragupta and plans the life of a
person. Hence he got the name Chitragupta.
Yamadharma praying to Shiva for an Assistant:
Having
to account the sins and goodness of crores of people Lord Yama Dharma felt it
difficult doing it all alone so he prayed to God Shiva to give him an
assistant. Immediately Lord Shiva instructed Brahma to give an assistant to
Lord Yama. Brahma knew that this is possible only by Sun God (Surya Devan). So
Brahma created a fire within the sun. The sun develops romance and in those romantic
mood seven colours of the rainbow integrates and forms into a girl and she
became to be known as Neeladevi and she lived with the sun. The relationship
results into the delivery of a male child in the Tamil month of Chithirai and
that too on a full moon day hence he was named as Chithraputhiran. The child on
delivery carried a book in his left hand and a writing nail in the right.
(Since Chitragupta was born of a rainbow people as sacrifice present him with
multi colored clothes).
Chitragupta praying to Lord Shiva:
Chitragupta
performed penance and prayed to Lord Shiva and in turn he received intelligence
and all brilliance. In order to test his powers he began to create. This
stunned Brahma the “God of Creation”. This act was complained to Sun God. The
Sun God advised his son Chitragupta that he determines the time of human beings
by terming day and night likewise you can account for the goodness of human
beings. The work of creation is Brahman.
Sun God instructing Chitragupta to help Yama:
The sun
god decided to get his son married in order to bring him into control. The
Virgins, descendants of Shiva namely Mayabrahman’s daughter Prabhavathy, Manu Brahmma’s
daughter Neelavathy, Viswa brahma daughter Karnagi were married to Chitragupta.
Lord Yama who was annoyed over the way Chitragupta was maintaining his family
in a happy way, complained to his father ‘‘Sun” and ‘Sun God’ immediately sent Chitragupta
to be responsible and help Lord Yama. Chitragupta who went along with his wives
to Yama’s world is still accounting the goodness and evil activities of mankind
from then on.
History
According
to archaeologists, the Chitragupta temple was built in Kanchipuram during the
Chola period (Ninth Century) and is being maintained by a particular community
of Kanchipuram from time immemorial.
The
Temple
The
presiding deity (Moolavar) is seen in a sitting posture holding the
Ezhuthani (pen) in his right hand and a palm leaf in left symbolizing his
nature of work. The Utsava panchaloka idol of Chitragupta is seen with his
consort Karnikambal. It is believed that Lord Chitragupta is the Athi
Devathai for Kethu, one of the Navagrahas, and those who worship
Chitragupta at this temple, would be bestowed with prosperity. Also the evil
effects of Kethu during its transit period would be mitigated. However, according
to astrologers, Lord Vinayaka is the Prathi Devathai for Kethu and
would also mitigate the evil effects of Kethu.
Thulabharam
Mandapam Kanakarayar a minister in Chola King Chenni Valavan’s cabinet created
a statue for festive occasions. This deity is separately placed in the temple
and it is taken in procession. Two small panchaloka idols of Chitragupta with his
Consort Karnikambal were found while the ground around the temple was dug for
carrying out repairs, in February 1911.
But
these idols could not be used for worship because of minor damages. However,
they are being kept along with the presiding deity. The last kumbhabhishekam of
the temple was performed on July 14, 1918. Later, some repair works were
carried out in August 1944. Several deities including Navagrahas, Durga and
Vinayakar were installed in the temple.
Festivals
On
Chithra Pournami (full moon day of the Chithrai month) special pooja and the
marriage celebrations of Chitragupta takes place.
Prayers
Off the
nine planets Kethu’s Lord is Chitragupta. Hence any offering made to
Chitragupta will relieve us from all trial and tribulation of Kethu planet. The
offering comprises of cereals, seven lamps, and multicolor clothes with an
Abhishekam.
Contact
Chitragupta
Temple
Kanchipuram
Phone: 04427225875
Mobile: 9443210256
Connectivity
This is
located very near main bus stand near the Rettai Mandapam. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Kanchipuram and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
References
