Saint Gnanasambandar
praises this shrine in his Thevaram hymns in the following lines. Chakkarapally is graced by the Lord with his lightning bright long hair adored
with Kondrai flowers and Moon and the golden snake. It is a prosperous
land of scholars of the four Vedas revered universally. This is
the 17th temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.
In general terms among the people, the place is known as
Ayyampettai. As there are many places under this
name, this is specifically called Thanjavur Ayyampettai.
The temple is facing east. There is no flag
post for the temple. At the entrance, the shrine of the
Goddess is on the right side. The sanctum
sanctorum is built of stone and the tower is on the west. There are not too many sculptures in the tower. Around the corridor are
the shrines of Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahmma and Durga and
Lord Muruga.
The Maha Mandapa has the shrines of Sun, Moon, Bhairavar and Nalvar the
four saivite saints Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and
Manickavasagar.
The epigraphy in the temple mentions the place as Rajaraja
Chaturvedimangalam of fertile Chola Kingdom Vilanadu. Another one contains the rules and
regulations of the Sabha Panchayat. Only those above
the age of 40 can contest election for the Sabha and he should not have
contested for 10 years earlier.
The celestial beings called Devas and Jayandhan the son of Indira the
king of Devas worshipped in this temple. Lord Vishnu got His
discus by worshipping Lord Shiva here, hence, the deity of the temple is named
Chakravakeswarar.
The temple has also the reputation of one of the Sapthasthalas the
seven important shrines worshipped by Brahmi, Maheswari, Gaumari, Vaishnavi,
Varahi, Mahendri and Chamundi.
Lord Vishnu was blessed
with the discus, and the bird Chakravala paravai worshipped Lord Shiva in the
temple, are the two stories mention in the history of the place.
Moolavar: Chakravakeswarar, Alandurainathar
Amman / Thayar: Devanayaki
Thala Virutcham: Vilwa
Theertham: River
Cauveri and Kaka theertham
Pathigam: Sambandhar
Old year: 1000-2000
years old
Historical Name: Ayyampettai
Town bus facilities are available from
Thanjavur to visit this sivasthalam. It is situated about two and a half Kms.
to the east of Pasupathikoil. Nearest railway station located at Ayyampettai is
about 2 Kms from here.
Panguni Uthiram
(March-April)
Shivarathri in Vaikasi (May-June)
Annabishekam in Iypasi
(October-November)
Thiruvadirai in Margazhi (December-January).
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.
The temple is open from
8.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Sri Chakravakeswarar
Temple, Ayyampettai, Thanjavur Dist. Contact Number - +914374311 018.
Do:
- Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
- Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
- Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
- Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
- Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
- Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
- Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
- Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
- Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
- Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
- Do not smoke at Temple.
- Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
- Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
- Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
- Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
- Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
- Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
- Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
- Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
- Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.