Chakrapani Temple

The Chakrapani Temple in Kumbakonam is a Vishnu temple on the bank of the Cauvery, where Vishnu is worshipped as Chakrapani, the Sudarshana or discus form. By legend the discus emerged from the river and, having humbled Surya the sun god, gave Vishnu the name Chakrapani; the present temple is generally dated to the Nayaka period. This temple guide is organized from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, with practical planning for routes, timing, nearby stays, food, operators and direct local inventory. Use it to compare what to see, how long to spend, when to go and which pilgrim stays, respectful local guides, food stops, shops, transport and verified visitor support should be verified around Chakrapani Temple.

Town guide: Kumbakonam Thanjavur district Get directions →

Practical guide

Plan Chakrapani Temple

Typetemple

Nearest baseKumbakonam

Best timeEarly morning during the cooler November to February months is the most comfortable time to visit

Time neededA relaxed visit takes roughly forty-five minutes to an hour

EntryNo entry fee for darshan; special-darshan or archanai tickets may apply (indicative)

Nearest town/baseKumbakonam

DistrictThanjavur

Place typetemple

Time neededA relaxed visit takes roughly forty-five minutes to an hour.

Chakrapani Temple honours Vishnu in the rare form of Chakrapani, the personified Sudarshana discus, and stands on the southern bank of the Cauvery in Kumbakonam.

The temple's precise origins are unclear for lack of inscriptions, but its architecture points to construction under Nayaka rule, later linked to the town's other shrines through a commercial corridor built in the 17th century.

Visiting

Chakrapani Temple — at a glance

TimingsOpen in the morning and evening with a midday break, as is typical for Tamil Nadu temples (indicative)

Best timeCooler months (November to February) and early morning are the most pleasant (indicative)

Entry: No entry fee for darshan; special-darshan or archanai tickets may apply (indicative)

Getting here

How to reach Chakrapani Temple

Within Kumbakonam town near the Cauvery, a short auto ride from the centre; about 40 km from Thanjavur (indicative)

It sits close to the river and other major Kumbakonam temples, so pair it with nearby shrines like Sarangapani and the Ramaswamy temple in a single temple-hopping circuit.

What to expect

Highlights

The unusual presiding deity, Vishnu worshipped as the fierce discus weapon Sudarshana/Chakrapani, rather than in a standard Vishnu form.
The founding legend in which the discus rises from the Cauvery and humbles Surya the sun god, who becomes its devotee.
A five-tiered rajagopuram, granite-walled enclosures and finely carved pillars characteristic of the Nayaka period.

Getting there

How to visit

From central Kumbakonam, take a short auto-rickshaw ride to the temple near the river.
Visit in the morning or evening to avoid the midday closure and the strongest heat.
Combine it with the nearby Sarangapani, Ramaswamy and other Kumbakonam temples for an efficient day of temple visits.

Distance by road

Tiruchirappalli (Trichy)58 km
Madurai190 km
Puducherry170 km
Coimbatore215 km
Chennai350 km

Road km to Thanjavur; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.

Timing

Best time

Early morning during the cooler November to February months is the most comfortable time to visit.

Weather in Chakrapani TempleSeasonal guide

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Visitor notes

This is an active Vishnu temple, so dress modestly and remove footwear before entering.
Photography inside the sanctum is commonly restricted; check locally before taking photos.

Safety

Good to know

The riverside and temple stone floors can be slippery when wet, so watch your footing, particularly when barefoot.

On the map

Where Chakrapani Temple is

Photos

Chakrapani Temple in pictures

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