Saturday, December 29, 2018

Sri Gajendra Varadan Temple at Kapisthalam–A Divya desam

One of the 108 Divyadesams this is an ancient temple which is very famous as Perumal has given darshan on garuda to Gajendra and a crocodile and given them salvation

HOW TO REACH:

Kapisthalam is a small part of Papanasam area 6 kms on the Kumbakonam Tanjore highway.It is actually KAVIsthalam which has come to be referred as Kapisthalam

The temple is on the middle road across the cauvery on either side20181225_172343

LEGENDS AND STORIES:

A king called Indradyumna was a great Vishnu bhakta and due to deep meditation he failed to recognise Durvasa and incurred a curse to be born as an elephant.redemption prescribed was at the hands of Mahavishnu. At the same time a demon called Koo hoo was fond of pranking swimmers by catching their legs underwater he was cursed by Agastya to be born as a crocodile and his redemption was also at the sudarshana chakra of Mahavishnu.

When the Elephant Gajendra entered the water the crocodile held his legs and the elephant called out to Mahavishnu for redemption “aadhi moolame” and Vishnu came on the garuda vahanam and killed koo hoo and  liberated both Gajendra and koo hoo

Thirumazhisai alwar has sung on this lord as Aatrangarai kidanthan Kannan in his mangalashasanam  thus this centre is one of the pancha Krishna Kshetrams along with Thirukannamangai, Thirukannapuram,Thirukoilur and Thirukannangudi where the presiding lord is referred to as Kannan

As you enter the main gate its a small temple 20181225_172421

The main sanctum where Perumal is in the reclining posture (kidanthan) on Adiseshan coiled as a  bed with Sridevi and Bhoodevi in attendance as shown below

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The thayar Ramamani valli sannidhi inside

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Anjeneya and Saint Parashara sannidhi

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The depiction of Gajendra moksham in a separate sannidhi Perumal on Garuda vahanam20181225_173443

The only Kshetram where Mahavishnu gives darshan on Garuda and  gives salvation to two animals elephant and Crocodile

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