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Sunday, June 28, 2020

Chakrapani Temple, Kumbakonam – The Temple

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