Chakkarappalli Sri Chakravageswarar Temple, Thanjavur (Chakkarmangai)

Address

Chakkarappalli Sri Chakkara Vagaeswarar Temple, Ayyampettai Post, Thanjavur district, PIN 614201

Diety

ChakkaraVaageswarar Amman: Vedanayagi

Introduction

The Chakramangai or Chakravageswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Chakkarapalli, Papanasam taluk of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.

Puranic Significance

The Chakramangai Temple is one of the ancient and sacred temples in Tamil Nadu, revered by Saivite devotees and scholars. It is classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of the 276 such temples that have been praised in the hymns of Thevaram, a 7th-century Tamil literary work.
Saivite Nayanars, Appar and Tirugnana Sambandar, have composed verses in praise of this temple during the 7th-8th century, adding to its historical and religious significance.
The temple was expanded and patronized by the Chola kings during the 11th century, contributing to its architectural grandeur.

Religious Significance:

The temple has a unique religious and mythological history. It is believed that Lord Vishnu obtained His discus (chakra) by worshipping Lord Shiva at this temple. This is why the deity here is known as Chakravageswarar.
The temple is also one of the Sapthasthalas, a group of seven important shrines worshipped by various forms of the Divine Mother, including Brahmi, Maheswari, Gaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Mahendri, and Chamundi.

Cultural and Epigraphic Significance:

The temple has inscriptions from the period of Kulottunga III, providing insights into the democratic norms of the times. These inscriptions mention the place as Rajaraja Chaturvedimangalam in the fertile Chola Kingdom of Valanadu.
The inscriptions also detail the rules and regulations of the Sabha (village council). According to these rules, only those above the age of 40 could contest elections for the Sabha, and they should not have contested for the past 10 years.

Beliefs

People pray for family prosperity, removal of obstacles in marriage alliances and progress in education. Devotees perform abishek to the Lord and offer clothings – vastras.

Special Features

Deities and Architecture:

The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, known as Chakravageswarar. The sanctum sanctorum, where the main deity is housed, is built of stone.
The temple’s architectural features include a main tower, but it does not have an abundance of sculptures. There are Koshta Idols on the sanctum walls, including Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durga.
The Mother Goddess is known as Devanayaki and her shrine is located within the temple complex, facing south.
The Maha Mandapa (grand hall) features shrines dedicated to the Sun, Moon, Bhairavar, a Bana Linga, and the Nalvar, who are the four Saivite saints: Tirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar, and Manickavasagar.
Other deities worshipped in the temple include Ganapathy, Valli Devasena samedha Subramaniyar, and Sandikeswarar.

Festivals

Panguni Uthiram (March-April), Shivarathri in Vaikasi (MayJune), Annabishekam in Iypasi (October-November) and Thiruvadirai in Margazhi (December-January).