This temple is at a distance of 9 kms from Papanasam, 17 kms from Tanjavur, 13 kms from Thiruvaiyaru, and 24 kms from Kumbhakonam. This temple is situated in a densely populated Muslim area.
It is also the first of the Saptasthana temples around Chakrapalli.
This temple is one of the 276 Shiva temples on the banks of the river Kaveri revered by Shaiva saints Sambandhar. Hence this temple must have existed even before the 7th century.
This is one of the SaptaMangai sthalas where AdiParaShakti (i.e. Shri Parvati Devi) performed NavaRatri along with one of the SaptaMatrika (Brahmi) on the 1st day. They had the divine darshan of Shri Shiva's third eye and is known as Shiva Netra Chakra darshan.
The stone inscriptions in the temple describe the various endowments made and the work done by Chola, Pandya and Vijaynagar kings.
Moolavar (Main deity): Shri ChakraVageeshwarar
Devi (Consort): Shri DevaNayaki
Kshetra Vruskha: Bilva
Sacred Teertha: Kaveri river, Kaka Teertha.
Old name: ChakraMangai, Ayyampettai
City: Chakrapalli
District: Tanjavur (TamilNadu)
Kshetra puran:
According to purana, Lord Vishnu obtained the Sudarshan Chakra (Discuss) by worshiping Lord Shiva at this place. And hence the place got the name Chakrapalli.
According to purana, Goddess Parvati worshiped Lord Shiva in the form of ChakraWak (Ruddy Shelduck) bird at this place. Hence the place got the name Chakrapalli.
Those who worshiped here:
Sapta-Matrika, Devas, Lord Indra and his son Jayant, NadaSharma and AnaVidya
Salient Features:
1. There is no Dwaja-Sthabha in this temple.
2. Idol of Lord Brahma is very beautiful.
3. Idol of Lord Dakshinamurti is unique.
4. The stone inscriptions in the temple state that this place was once known as Chaturveda mangalam.
About the temple:
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, Antarala and Ardha-Mandap.
This is an east facing temple with a large area but temple is small. At the entrance there is an arch. On the top of this arch there are stucco images of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on Nandi, Lord Muruga and Lord Vinayaka. The temple is about three feet below the ground.
The balipeeth, Dwaja-sthamba and Nandi are after the entrance arch facing the sanctum.
There is a similar arch at the entrance of Mukha-mandap.
The Shivalinga here is a swayambhu-linga. It is tall, attractive and majestic. Sanctum-Sanctorum is on the western side.
Koshta-murtis:
Lord Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Lingodbhavar, Lord Brahma, Goddess Durga.
In the maha-mandap, we come across BanaLinga, Lord Surya, Lord Chandra, Lord Bhairav and the four great Shaiva saints Naalvar.
In the Prakaram, we have the following idols and shrines:
Lord Vinayakar, Lord Subramanya with Valli and Deivanai, some damaged sculptures, Lord Chandikeshwarar, Goddess Parvati and Lord Vishnu.
As Lord Vishnu obtained Chakra from Lord Shiva at this place, this place is called ChakraPalli.
Goddess Brahmi holds an Akshya-mala and Kamandalu in her hands. Ambika is in a separate south facing shrine just after the entrance. Her shrine also has sanctum-sanctorum, ardha-mandap and a mukha-mandap. Ambika has one of her feet slightly in front which seems that she is in the process of stepping out.
There is a 5-hooded serpent over the head of Lord Dakshinamurti giving him protection.
Prayers:
Devotees worship in this temple for prosperity, wealth, for marriage and for excellence in education.
Pooja:
Daily rituals and pradosh pooja are held regularly.
Festivals in the temple:
Masi (February-March): MahaShivaRatri festival
Panguni (Mar-April): PanguniUthiram festival on
Uttara nakshatra, SaptaSthana festival
Vaikasi (May-June): ShivaRatri festival
Aippasi (October-November): AnnaAbhishek
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): ArudraDarshan (known as Thiruvathirai)
Temple Timing:
8:00 am to 9:00 am, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Temple address:
Shri Chakravageeswarar Temple, At-post: ThiruChakrapalli, Ayyampettai, District : Tanjore, TN 614211.
Phone: +91-9791482102, +91-8056853485
Note: It is advisable to contact the priest in advance at 4374310118.
Courtesy : Various websites
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