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| Sudarsha Chakra atop Puri Jagannath temple,.linkedin.com/ |
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| Sudarshana Chakra en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: The Sudarshana Chakra is a divine, spinning, discus-like weapon primarily associated with the Hindu god Vishnu. It is known for its auspicious nature, representing the vision of the divine, and its power to destroy evil and protect righteousness. The name "Sudarshana Chakra" combines "su" (auspicious) and "darshana" (vision) with "chakra" (wheel or disc)..........
Among the numerous manifestations of Lord Vishnu, Sri Sudarshana Azhwar, the personified form of the Sudarshana Chakra (holy discus), stands foremost as the ultimate divine protector. More than just a weapon, Sudarshana is considered a fierce yet compassionate deity who safeguards devotees from evil forces, negative energies, and black magic.
Wielded by Vishnu in his right hand, the Sudarshana Chakra symbolizes the cyclical nature of time and cosmic order. According to Linga Purana, Lord Shiva gifted this divine weapon to Vishnu. Uniquely described in Pancharatra Agamas, Sudarshana represents Prana (life force), Kriya (action), Shakti (power), and Sankalpa (resolve). Mythologically, it even transformed into Vishnu’s nails during Narasimha’s slaying of Hiranyakasipu and as darbha grass in Vamana's encounter with King Mahabali.
Iconographically, Chakrathazhwar is often depicted with 16 arms, each carrying a weapon, three eyes radiating knowledge, and a fiery crown. In most Perumal temples, he is enshrined behind the sanctum or in a separate shrine along with Narasimha, symbolizing dual powers—destruction of evil and bestowal of grace. Circumambulating this sanctum is equated with worshiping the four Vedas, Ashta Lakshmi, Pancha Bhootas, and the eight directions.
Temples where Chakrathazhwar is specially venerated include:
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Chakrapani Temple, Kumbakonam – where Brahma’s Yagam invoked Vishnu who appeared in the Chakra form.
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Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam
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Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram
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Alagar Kovil, Madurai
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Kalamegha Perumal Temple, Thirumohur
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Sri Rama Temple, Mariamman Kovil, Thanjavur (featuring huge Saligrama Moolavar idols. The Saligrama stones were gifted by Nepala maharajah to the then Maratha ruler of Thanjavur) in Lord Vishnu's grace.
Sudarsna Bhagavan temple,Nagamangala, MandyaDistrict, KA
Puri jagannath temple,Odisha:Chakra atop the shikara.
In Kerala, prominent Sudarshana temples include Thuravur Narasimha Temple, Sreevallabha Temple (Thiruvalla), and Narayanathu Kavu (Triprangode). At Simhachalam in Andhra, Sudarshana appears in a rare 16-armed form.
Thuravoor Sree Narasimha Moorthy Temple, Alappuzha- One of the rare temple complexes in Kerala, where two sanctum sanctorums are situated within a single Nalambalam (temple structure), one of the sanctums in dedicated to Lord Narasimha and the other to Maha Sudarsana Moorthy. The Sudarsana Moorthy Temple is believed to be 1300 years old.
Sreevallabha Temple, Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta - One of the oldest and largest temples in Kerala and one of the 108 Divya Desams, Sudharsana Moorthy is worshipped along with Sreevallabha in this temple. The temple for Sudarshana Chakra was built by Sreedevi Antherjanam of Sankramangalathu Illam, and was rebuilt by Queen Cherumthevi in 59 BC.
Thrichakrapuram Temple, Puthanchira- The main deity is Sudharsana Moorthy
Devotees perform Sudarshana Homam and special poojas for spiritual cleansing, protection from doshas, fear, and evil influences. Sri Sudarshana Jayanthi, celebrated on Chithra Nakshatra in July (Sravana month), is highly auspicious. Worship on Saturdays and Wednesdays is particularly beneficial.
Ayyarvattom Sree Maha Sudharshana Temple, Eravannur, Kozhikode
Pallikkara Sri Mahavishnu Sudharsana Temple, Kozhikode
The Sudarshana Chakra remains a symbol of divine justice, protection, and cosmic harmony—a beacon of faith for millions who seek refuge in Lord Vishnu's grace. A Sudarshana Chakra temple is a temple dedicated to the personified form of Lord Vishnu's divine discus, the Sudarshana Chakra, with notable examples are the Chakrapani Temple in Kumbakonam and specific shrines within the Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Anjumoorthy Temple in Kerala. These temples are centers of devotion for devotees seeking divine protection, justice, and the dispelling of evil, with the chakra symbolising knowledge and transcendental wisdom.
https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/orissareview/jul2005/engpdf/sudarshan_the_king_of_wheel.pdf
