Bhairaveswarar Temple,
Cholapuram, Thanjavur
Bhairaveswarar Temple is a Hindu
Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Cholapuram near Kumbakonam
Town in Thanjavur District in Tamil
Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Bhairaveswarar / Maha Bhairaveswarar
and Mother is called as Bhairaveswari. This temple is considered as the Moola Sthaanam
(Birth Place) of all the different forms of Bhairavas in the whole universe. The
ancient name of this place is Bhairavapuram.
Legends
Origin of Bhairavas:
Cholapuram is the Adi Peetam of
Bhairava manifestations. This is the place where 64 Bhairavar had
originated. There are 64 Peetas and it is believed that all the 64 forms of
Bhairavars sit here and do the penance and Poojas. 64 Bhairavas worshipped
Bairaveswarar of Cholapuram in 64 directions.
Birth of Kuligan:
Ravana got enormous power due to
the intense penance on Lord Shiva. Arrogant Ravana tied Lord Saneeswarar and
other Navagrahas. Lord Saneeswarar prayed to Lord Shiva here. Kuligan (Mandhi)
was born to Lord Saneeswarar here and the time of birth of Kuligan was the
right time for Sri Rama to kill Ravana and he did so.
Padagacheri Sri Ramalinga Swamigal did Bhairava Pooja
here:
It is believed that Bhairava Upasagar
Padagacheri Sri Ramalinga Swamigal did Bhairava Pooja here.
Siddhars & Saints worshipping Lord Shiva here in
Aroopam form:
All the Bhairava Upasaga Siddhars,
Aadhi Sankarar, Rishis and Yogis come here during the Ashtami star days and do
the pooja in Aroopam.
The
Temple
This is an ancient Chola granite
temple with high sculptural value. The approach road and the surrounded areas
are completely encroached by the locals. There is no proper entrance to the
temple. Only the basement of the Mukamandapam remains. Nandi and Balipeedam can
be found facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Bairaveswarar / Maha
Bairaveswarar. Lord Shiva here is the Moola Moorthy of all the Bhairavars and
so he is called as Bairaveswarar.
Lord Shiva in this temple is a
Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). He is housed in the sanctum in the form of
big Lingam. He is facing east. Vinayaga
and Murugan can be found at the entrance of the sanctum. Vinayaga, Nataraja,
Gangalamoorthy, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma, Alinganamoorthy, Durga,
Ashtabuja Bhairava are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls.
Dwarapalakas can be found
guarding the sanctum. A Linga can be seen along with one of the Dwarapalaka.
Chandikeswarar Shrine can be found in his usual location. Mother is called as
Bairaveswari. Her shrine is facing south. Dwarapalakis can be found guarding
her shrine. Currently the deformed (possibly during the Mughal invasion) statue
of Bairaveswari is kept in Thanjavur Museum.
Festivals
Abhishekams, Homam and Annadhanam
are grandly done here on Krishna Paksha Ashtami.
Prayers
Bhairavar protects from all Pitru
Dhoshams, enemy problems, untimely accidents / deaths, evil effects of Pilli,
Sunyam, Mantrikam etc., People worship Maha Bairaveswarar on Saturday, Sunday,
full moon days and Theipirai Ashtami by lighting ghee lamps. All kind of Bhairava
Dhoshams will be cured and reduced by worshipping the god/goddess in this
temple. Since this Bhairavar is the Guru of Lord Saneeswarar, all the ill
effects of Lord Saneeswarar will get nullified by worshipping Bairaveswarar on
Saturdays.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 6
Kms from Thirupananthal, 8 Kms from Thiruvisanallur, 10 Kms from Thirubhuvanam,
10 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur, 11 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur Railway Station,
13 Kms from Kumbakonam, 14 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 14 Kms from
Kumbakonam Railway Station, 50 Kms from Thanjavur and 104 Kms from Trichy
Airport. The Temple is situated on Kumbakonam to Chennai Road. The Temple is
well connected to Kumbakonam by buses.