Kapistalam

One of the 108 Temples & Celestial Abodes of Vishnu revered by the Tamil hymns of the Alwars of the 1st millennium CE

Location: Kapistalam (Papanasam) near Kumbakonam
(
Chola Naadu)
Vishnu: Gajendra Varadan
Taayaar: Ramaamanivalli
Theertham:Gajendra Pushkarini, Kapila Theertham
Paasuram :Tirumazhisai
Vimaanam:Gaganaakriti Vimanam
Travel Base:Thanjavur

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Description: This Divyadesam is located at a distance of 3km from Paapanasam near Thanjavur, Kumbhakonam. This shrine is referred to as Krishnaranyakshetram.

The five panchakrishna kshetrams are Tiruvazhundur, Tirukkannankudi, Kapistalam, Kannapuram and Kannamangai.

Deities: The moolavar here is Gajendra Varadan, in a reclining posture facing east and the Taayaar is Ramaamanivalli or Potraamaraiyaal. There are also shrines to Andal and Santanakrishnan.

The temple: This temple with a 3 tiered gopuram and a single prakaram faces east.

Legend has it that Vishnu saved Gajendran, the king of elephants from the clutches of a crocodile, upon hearing his prayers. A similar legend also holds at the Varadaraja Perumal temple at Kanchipuram. Vaali and Sugreevan (Kapi - monkey) are believed to have worshipped Vishnu here hence the name Kapistalam.

Festivals: Gajendra Moksham is enacted in the month of Pankuni. Other festivals celebrated here include Vaikuntha Ekadasi, Rama Navami and Akshaya Tritiyai.

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