This temple is known as Kudanthai Karonam and located near Potramarai Kulam. The Sikkam (threads) around the Amirthakalasam (the nectar pot) fell here and took a shape of Linga and hence known as Sikkeshwarar (Sutra Natha—Lord of the Thread). Once Chandra (Moon god) due to Guru’s (Brahaspathi) curse arrived in Kumbakonam and worshipped Lord Shiva Sikkeshwarar. He created a holy water source for the worship, this tank was known as Chandrapushkarani (does not exist now).

Cakrapani temple is dedicated to Sudarshana-chakra, the disk of Lord Vishnu, used for killing demonic elements. Vishnu holds in His hands four symbols: conchshell and louts flower used for blessings to pious and club and disc for killing demons. His disc is called Sudarshana (literally “auspicious vision”), because it sees all miscreants in the same way and doesn’t discriminate between small or great demons. All are getting Sudarshana’s mercy. All light sources and illuminating objects like Sun and Moon are reflecting the rays of Sudarshana-chakra. Sudarshana’s light enable us to distinguish one thing from the other, good and evil and therefore it is related to knowledge and transcendental wisdom. In Bhagavad-gita and other scriptures we can read phrases like “the torchlight of knowledge” and “sword of detachment” and this connection with Sudarshana-chakra can bring us better understanding of those phrases.

Ram Swami Temple was built in 16th and 17th century by Nayak king Raghunath. The main Deities are Sita, Ram, Lakshman, Satrugna (His brothers) and Hanuman. Deities are from the black stone decorated with silver paraphernalia. On the road to the temple and on the walls and towers, there are many paintings and sculptures with the scenes from Ramayana. In right down corner of this wall painting there is Hanuman bringing the Himalayan mountain to rescue his Lord Ramacandra. Here is the whole story…

Hanuman and Pushpa-samjivani: Ravana’s son Indrajit fought with many mystic weapons during the battle of Lanka. He could be invisible for others and by his special snake weapon he made Ram and Lakshman unconscious. The physician from Ravana army and Vibhishana advised Hanuman to bring medical plant Pushpa-samjivani from one Himalayan mountain “Pushpa-samjivani” means “the flower of revitalization” and its leaves had such power that by eating it one didn’t feel hunger and thirst for 5 years. One didn’t get sick also and furthermore it had the power to bring one back to life. The Pushpa-samjivani plant could be recognized by its special glare. Local rishis were often taking advantage of it, because by its power they could meditate undisturbed for years. When they saw Hanuman approaching, they knew that he wants Pushpa-samjivani, because there was nothing else interesting – just sages meditating with closed eyes. They began to fear about their plant and by their mystic power they caused all the plants on the mountain to look as Pushpa-samjivani. Since all plants had the same glare, Hanuman was in his search for medicine perplexed. “If I cannot find the proper one, I will take the whole mountain with me,” told Hanuman to himself and started to lift it. Surprised rishis fled and Hanuman flew to Lanka with the whole mountain in his hand. In the meantime, Jambhavan tied all dead bodies of demons to heavy stone and throw them to ocean knowing that Pushpa-samjivani will revitalize everybody present. Then the plant brought Ram, Lakshman and the whole army of the monkeys back to consciousness. Ramacandra finally won the battle of Lanka.

Nageswaran temple otherwise known as “Koothandavar kovil”.Chola dynasty constructed this temple during 12 th century.This temple stands as a great marvel of Chola’s architechture,building technology.The design and orientation are structured in such a way that it allows the sun rays inside the temple only during the month of Chithirai.The Karuvarai of Nageswaran temple has similarity with that of Sarangapani temple,as it is made in the form of a chariot. The temple consists of two gopurams in the eastern and western directions.

Main Deity