Chakrapani Temple, Kumbakonam
– The Temple
The
temple has granite walls enclosing all the shrines and pierced by a
five-tiered Rajagopuram, the gateway tower. The
temple is noted for its exquisite pillars. This is the only
Vishnu temple exclusively for Chakrathazhwar. The presiding
deity, Chakrapani is sported with eight arms, each having a weapon and is
housed in the central shrine in an elevated structure.
Chakrapani
is sported with a third eye on his forehead. Hence, he is also called
Trinethradhari. The third eye concept is the characteristic of Lord Shiva.
It is also strange that the Vilva Archana which is associated with Lord Shiva
is performed for Lord Vishnu here. Ahirbadri Rishi, Brahma, Surya and Agni are
portrayed as worshiping the Lord in the sanctum.
Lord
Lakshmi Narasimha can be found in the Koshta of the main shrine.
Sudarashanavalli Thaayar is seen alongside Chakrathazhwar. Usually
Chakrathazhvaar’s consort is Vijayavalli Thaayar. However, there is a separate
shrine for Vijayavalli Thaayar. Stucco Dvarapalas can be found at the entrance
of the sanctum.
There
are two entrances for entering the central shrine of the
temple. Devotees enter the southern entrance during the Dakshinayana
period, when the sun is in the Southern Hemisphere and the northern entrance
during the period of Uttharayana, when the sun is in the northern hemisphere.
Mother
Vijayavalli Thayar has her own shrine to the north of Lord Chakrapani. There
is a bronze image of king Serfoji
II worshipping Lord Chakrapani as he is said to have been cured
an illness by the grace of this God. There is a shrine for Panchamukha (five-faced) Hanuman in
the outer precincts of the
temple.
There
is a shrine for Agampara Vinayakar in the
temple premises. The outer Prakara of this temple is made in the
form of balcony. There is a temple tank named Amirtha Pushkarini in the north
side of this
temple. Chakra Padithurai is a famous ghat in Kumbakonam
is situated parallel to the
temple across the river Cauvery.
