| Description:
This is a Shivastalam located near Kancheepuram,
on the Arakkonam Kanchi railway line. Takkolam is
a Shivastalam in its vicinity. (The image shown here is that of the Takkolam
Shivastalam). This is the 11th of the 32 Tevara Stalams in the Tondai
region of South India. Legends: The
Kanchi Puranam talks of this shrine, as do the patikams of Appar and Sambandar. Vishnu is
said to have been blessed with his Chakrayudam upon worshipping Shiva here - hence the
name Tirumalper or Harichakrapuram. Vishnu is said to have offered his eye in lieu of the
1000th flower, hence the name Padmakshan. This legend is similar to that at Tiruveezhimizhalai.
The Temple: The temple is said dates back to the period of Parantaka
Chola I, and it was renovated in 1937. The 70 feet high Rajagopuram and the Chakra
Theertham adorn this temple. There is an image of Chaturbhuja Vishnu, engaged in worship
to Shiva, holding a lotus flower. There are more than 80 inscriptions in this temple, some
of which speak of endowments made to recite Nammalvar's Tiruvaimozhi at the Ninrarulia
Perumaal Temple nearby (now in ruins) .
Festivals: Worship services are offered four times a day, and the
camphor lamp service is offered both to Shiva and Vishnu. Navaratri and Skandasashti are
observed here. The festival deities are taken out on Several of the vahanams and the
temple chariot during the Bhramotsavam in Maasi (Aquarius). . |
