Chitragupta temple, Kanchipuram

Chitragupta Temple
Geography
Coordinates 12°50′12″N 79°42′17″E / 12.83667°N 79.70472°E / 12.83667; 79.70472Coordinates: 12°50′12″N 79°42′17″E / 12.83667°N 79.70472°E / 12.83667; 79.70472
Country India
State/province Tamil Nadu
District Kanchipuram
Locale Kanchipuram
Culture
Primary deity Chitragupta
Architecture
Architectural styles Dravidian architecture
History and governance
Date built 9th century
Creator Chola kings

Chitragupta temple is a Hindu temple located in Nellukara Street Kanchipuram in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the rare temples of the Hindu deity Chitragupta, considered to the assistant of Yama, the Hindu god of death. Chitragupta is believed to have emerged from a painting and set as the accountant of good and bad deeds of human beings by Shiva. The temple has a three-tiered Rajagopuram (gateway tower) and a single precinct around the sanctum.

The present masonry structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, while later expansions are attributed to various others. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The major festival celebrated in the temple in Chitra Pournami during April. The temple is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the city.

Legend

As per Hindu legend, Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction was discussing with his wife Parvathi about maintaining Dharma amidst all human beings in earth and maintaining good account of their deeds. He felt that he wanted to have someone to have a close watch on the people to prevent them from indulging in crime and involving themselves in good deeds. Shiva drew a picture in a gold plate - Parvathi was impressed and wanted Shiva to detail it. The picture turned into a deity by the divine grace of Shiva and Parvathi. Shiva entrusted the duty of maintaining the account of deeds of all human beings in earth. He came to be known as Chitraguptha as he was derived from a Chitra (piture) and Gupta (accountant). He was set as the accountant of Yama, who is the Hindu deity of death.[1]

As per another legend, Brihaspati, the Guru of planetary deities had a disagreement with Indra, the king of celestial deities. On account of the confrontation, Brihaspati discontinued his advocacy to Indra. At a later point, Indra realized his mistakes and patched up with his Guru. To expiate himself from the sins created, he started on a pilgrimage and reached the place to find a Linga. He constructed a temple in the place and golden lotuses started appearing in the nearby temple tank. The day was Chitra Pournami.[2]

A third legend states that Indra prayed to Shiva to have a child, but as per the divine wish, his wife Indrani was not supposed have any progeny. Shiva directed Kamadhenu, the holy cow to give birth to a child. Shiva later entrusted the child to Indra and Indrani, who later brought him up as Chitragupta.[3]

Architecture and history

The temple has a three-tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower. The central shrine has the image of Chitragupta in seated posture. He is sported with a ezhuthaani (pen) in his right hand and scripts in her left hand.[4]

Archaeologist have confirmed based on the inscriptions that the temple was built during the 9th century by the Medieval Cholas. The temple has various maintenance activities during the subsequent period. During the repair works carried out during 1911, two historical metal idols of Chitragupta and his consort Karnikambal were found. These images are housed in the central sanctum. During modern times, a consecration was performed during 1918 and 1994. The temple has been administered by a group of hereditary trustees.[5]

Religious importance

Chitragupta, as per Hinduism is the accountant of Yama, the death god, who keeps track of good and bad deeds of humanbeings to decide their residence in heaven or hell. The temple is just one of its kind that has a separate temple for Chitragupta. Every new moon, there are special worship practices followed in the temple. The major festival celebrated in the temple in Chitra Pournami during April.[5] Chitragupta is considered the Adidevata for Ketu, the ninth planet of Hindu astrology. The deity is worshipped by both Shaivites and Vaishnavites.[6] Women devotees observe fast or consume food without salt during the day to seek blessings of Chitragupta. During old times, traditional village accountants worship god seeking divine blessings for their profession.[3]

References

  1. ↑ T.V.R, Chari (1982). The Glorious temples of Kanchi. Big Kancheepuram: Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam and Sarada Navaratri Kalai Nigazhchi Trust. pp. 85–86.
  2. ↑ Melton, J. Gordon, ed. (2011). Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781598842067.
  3. 1 2 Rao, A.V. Shankara Narayana (2012). Temples of Tamil Nadu. Vasan Publications. p. 53. ISBN 9788184681123.
  4. ↑ Harshananda, Swami (2012). Hindu Pilgrimage Centres (second ed.). Bangalore: Ramakrishna Math. p. 61. ISBN 81-7907-053-0.
  5. 1 2 "Shrine for Chitragupta". The Hindu. 18 April 2003. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  6. ↑ Dash, Trilochan (2010). The Story of The Deities and The Templesin Southern Indian Peninsula. UmaSankar Printers. pp. 93–94.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/22/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.