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.
