This
Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple at Kabisthalam on the banks of river Kollidam is the 10th Divya Desam of Maha Vishnu’s 108 Divya Desams and 9th Divya Desam of
Chozha Nadu. This is also one of the Pancha Krishna sthalams. ( Thirukannamangai
Sri Bakthavachala Perumal Temple, Thirukannapuram Sri Neelamega Perumal,
Kabisthalam Gajendra Varadha Perumal, Thirukovilur Sri Ulakalantha Perumal and
Thirukannangudi Sri Loganatha Perumal ).
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Mangalasasanam
was done by Thirumazhisai Alwar, in Nalayira Divya prabandham ( 2431).
கூற்றமும் சாரா கொடுவினையும் சாரா,தீ
மாற்றமும் சாரா வகையறிந்தேன், - ஆற்றங்
கரைக்கிடக்கும் கண்ணன் கடல்கிடக்கும், மாயன்
உரைக்கிடக்கு முள்ளத் தெனக்கு.
…. திருமிழிசை ஆழ்வார்
Moolavar : Sri Gajendra Varadan / Sri Aatrangarai
Kannan
Thayar : Sri Ramamanivalli / Sri Potramaraiyal
Some
of the salient features of this temple are ….
The
temple is facing east with a mottai Gopuram and a three-tier Rajagopuram.
Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Periya Thiruvadi, Garudan are before the
Rajagopuram. Moolavar Sri Gajendra Varadhar is in sayana kolam on Adhiseshan
called Bhujanga sayanam in the South to the North and the face is tilted towards the East.
Utsavar is with Sridevi and Bhudevi, are in front of moolavar. There are no
images in the koshtams.
Thayar
Sri Ramamanivalli is in a separate
sannidhi on the right side of the Moolavar sannidhi. Thayar is in sitting
posture with abhaya varada hastam.
In
praharam Yoga Narasimhar, Sudarsana, Garudan, Alwars, Gajendra moksha
sthala purana sannidhi called Gajendra mandapam with Maha Vishnu ( as adhimoolam
) on Garudan, Hanuman, Sage Parashara, Saptarishi Agasthya, Indrayumna ( as an
elephant ), Sage kashyapa, Gandharva Huhu ( as Crocodile ),
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ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of a rectangular sanctum sanctorum to accommodate Maha Vishnu’s
sayana kolam, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The sanctum
sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, Vrudha kumudam, and
Pattikai. The Bhitti starts with Vedika. The Pilasters are of Vishnu kantha
pilasters with square bases, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, and
poo mottu pothyal.
The prastaram consists of Valapi, kapotam with nasikudus and
viyyalavari. The sanctum sanctorum was built with stone up to prastaram. The
vimana above bhumidesam is of two tiers built with bricks in salakara style.
Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s various forms are in the tala and greeva
koshtams. The Vimanam is called as Gaganakruthi Vimanam.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
The
original temple may belong to the Pallava period 07th to 09th
century, and Chozha period. Later received contributions from Vijayanagara / Thanjavur Nayakas and Marathas. The sub-sannidhis have been added in recent years.
LEGENDS
As
per the legend, an ardent devotee – Elephant / Gajendran ( Indrayumna as a king
in the previous birth cursed by Durvasa to become an Elephant ), used to
worship Maha Vishnu with the lotus flowers plucked from the pond. One day when
the Elephant was plucking the flowers, the crocodile ( Gandharva Huhu in the
previous birth was cursed to be reborn as a Crocodile in the next birth ), which
was also in the pond, caught with its jaws, the legs of the Elephant. With the pain, the elephant sought Maha Vishnu’s help
by crying as “Adhimoolame..”. Immediately Maha Vishnu appeared and killed the
crocodile with the Chakra and gave moksha to the Elephant and Crocodile. Hence Maha Vishnu of this temple was called Gajendra Varadan.
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In
another Legend Anjaneyar / Hanuman did a penance for about 300 years on Maha
Vishnu of this temple. Hence this place is being called Kabisthalam ( Kabi + Sthalam = Kabi - Monkey, and Sthala – a place ). Hanuman, who was admired by the
beauty of Sri Ramamanivalli samedha Sri Gajendra Varadha Perumal and Parasara
Maharishi requested Maha Vishnu to
re-enact the Gajendra Moksha episode in this place.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Sri Rama
navami, Akshaya Tritiya, Gajendra Moksha in the month Adi pournami, Vaikasi
Visakam Chariot festival, Brahmotsavam in the month Vaikasi.
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TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to
19.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The
landline +91 4374 223 434 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
This
place ( Mela ) Kabisthalam is about 3 KM from Papanasam Railway station and on
the Kumbakonam to Thiruvaiyaru bus route.
This
temple is about 17.7 KM, 19 KM from
Thiruvaiyaru and 29 KM from Thanjavur.
The nearest railway station is Papanasam.
LOCATION OF THE
TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
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The
Visit to this temple was a part of the Divya Desam Temples Visit, near Thanjavur
and Kumbakonam, organized by Culture Circuit.
Thanks to Mr Balakumaran.
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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