Chakrapani Temple

Chakrapani Temple is one of the main Vishnu temples in Kumbakonam. Vishnu is worshipped here in the form of his discus (chakra). The image in the sanctum has eight arms, each holding a weapon, and, unusually, a third eye on the forehead.

Tradition

According to tradition, Vishnu sent his discus, Sudarshana, to the underworld to defeat the demon Jalandhara, and it rose again through the Kaveri river. Brahma, bathing in the river, installed its image here. Surya, the Sun god, found his brilliance dimmed by the discus and worshipped it; it restored his powers, and Vishnu took the name Chakrapani. The town is sometimes called Bhaskara Kshetra, "the place of the Sun", after this story.

History

The temple's origins are not well recorded in inscriptions, but scholars date it, from its style, to the 15th century under the Nayaks. It was one of three major Vaishnava temples in Kumbakonam supported by the Nayaks, with Ramaswamy and Sarangapani. In the 17th century a commercial corridor was built to link it with the new Ramaswamy Temple.

Architecture

A five-tier gateway tower leads into a walled complex known for its finely carved pillars. The temple holds a bronze image of the Thanjavur ruler Serfoji II in worship; tradition says he was cured of an illness here. There is also a five-faced Hanuman in the outer courtyard.

Mahamaham

It is one of the 5 Vishnu temples connected with the Mahamaham festival, held at the Mahamaham tank about once every 12 years. Masi Magam is celebrated here with a chariot procession, commemorating Surya's worship.