Friday, June 8, 2018

Chakravageswarar Temple, Chakkarapalli – The Temple

Chakravageswarar Temple, Chakkarapalli – The Temple
There is no Rajagopuram and only an entrance arch with Lord in Rishabha vahanam. The temple is facing east.  This is a small temple in large campus. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi can be found after the entrance in the prakaram facing the sanctum. The Temple is situated at about 3 feet below the ground level. Presiding Deity is called as Chakravageswarar and is facing east. The Presiding deity is majestically tall and is a Swayambu Linga. The presiding deity graces the devotees as a Swayambulinga. 




The sanctum sanctorum is built of stone. There are not too many sculptures in the tower. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai are the Koshta Idols located on the sanctum walls. Mother is called as Devanayaki and is facing south. Shrine of the Goddess can be found on the right side after the entering the temple.




The Maha Mandapa has the shrines of Sun, Moon, Bhairavar, a Bana Linga and Nalvar the four Saivite saints – Tirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar. There are shrines for Ganapathy, Valli Devasena samedha Subramaniyar and Sandikeswarar in the outer prakaram. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa Tree. Theerthams associated with this Temple are River Cauvery and Kaka Theertham.



There are inscriptions from the period of Kulottunga III that bear testimony to the democratic norms of the times. The epigraphy in the temple mentions the place as Rajaraja Chaturvedimangalam of fertile Chola Kingdom Valanadu.  Another one contains the rules and regulations of the Sabha – Panchayat.  Only those above the age of 40 can contest election for the Sabha and he should not have contested for 10 years earlier.