Charming Chakrapani MahaVishnu Temple

Chakrapani Temple is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (locally known as Chakrapani) located in the Kumbakonam city of Tamil Nadu. One of the most prominent temples in the area, the shrine has a magnificent idol of Lord Vishnu with his chakra (discus) to bring down the pride of Surya- the Sun God, who subsequently became his devotee. Boasting striking architectural finesse, the temple also houses a statue of King Sarfoji II who is also worshipping Lord Vishnu. The temple has peculiar similarities to Shiva temples. Just like Lord Shiva, the chief idol of Lord Vishnu has a third eye. Another similarity is the performance of Vilva Aarti which is generally performed in Shiva temples. Wheat Porridge is the special offering given to the deity and the idol is worshipped with Bilwa leaves. The temple is abuzz with tourists and devotees alike all through the year. Architecture of the Temple: The Chakrapani Temple architecture is unique. The temple has a five-tiered Raja Gopuram. This gopuram is the main entrance of the temple. You will find very beautiful carvings and designs at the entrance of the temple. Not only this, but the temple Mandapam or hall also has very beautiful carvings. The carvings depict scenes from Hindu mythological stories. If you visit the temple, then you will find that even the outer walls of the temple have beautiful sculptures and carvings. The carvings and sculptures depicted here are of gods, goddesses, and other creatures. There is a very interesting fact about the Chakrapani Temple. A very famous Cakrayudha festival is celebrated during the Thai months of Tamil. The Thai month happens during the time of January to February. During this time, a large number of devotees are coming and chanting the Chakra Mantra. It is also believed that by doing the chakra mantra, they will be protected from evil forces. Another major interesting fact about the temple is that on the sixth day of the Brahmotsavam festival, the temple deity is taken on the back of Garuda. This is because Garuda is considered the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. In the temple, you can see various ancient texts also. The texts that are present in the temple include Puranas and Skanda Purana. Overall, Chakrapani Temple is one of the most ancient religious temples that is present in Tamil Nadu. The unique architecture and rich heritage of the temple make it one of the most visited temples in this location. So, if you are going for your Kumbakonam tour package, you can easily visit this beautiful temple.