| Description:
This Divyadesam is located at a distance of 3km from Paapanasam near Thanjavur, Kumbhakonam. This shrine is referred to as
Krishnaranyakshetram. The five panchakrishna kshetrams are Tiruvazhundur,
Tirukkannankudi, Kapistalam,
Kannapuram and Kannamangai.
Deities: The moolavar here is Gajendra Varadan, in a reclining posture
facing east and the Taayaar is Ramaamanivalli or Potraamaraiyaal. There are also shrines
to Andal and Santanakrishnan.
The temple: This temple with a 3 tiered gopuram and a single prakaram faces east.
Legend has it that Vishnu saved Gajendran, the king of elephants from
the clutches of a crocodile, upon hearing his prayers. A similar legend also holds at the Varadaraja Perumal temple at Kanchipuram.
Vaali and Sugreevan (Kapi - monkey) are believed to have worshipped Vishnu here hence the
name Kapistalam.
Festivals: Gajendra Moksham is enacted in the month of Pankuni. Other
festivals celebrated here include Vaikuntha Ekadasi, Rama Navami and Akshaya Tritiyai. |
