Chitra Putra Nayanar temple / Chitragupta temple

Overview

Chitra Putra Nayanar temple is also popularly called the Chitragupta temple. This Hindu shrine is located at Kodangipatti village, in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple holds the distinction of being the only temple dedicated to Chitra Putra Nayanar, only next to the one in Kancheepuram, Tamilnadu. Lord Chitragupta had appeared in the dream of a person in Kodangipatti and had told to build a temple for him. Thus this temple came into existence. The temple is estimated to be about 500 to 1000 years old and houses a separate shrine for Devi Prabhavati, the spouse of Chitragupta.

Festivals

The auspicious occasion of Chitra Poornima, ie the full moon day falling in the Hindu month of Chitra (between April – May) is most celebrated in this temple.

Significance

Chitraguptha is the deity of serpent planet Kethu, people worship Chitra Gupta for relief from the adverse effects of this plant. Traditionally, women consume food without salt on Chithra Pournami praying the Lord to blues them and their family members with a long life.

There is a wide belief that taking oil bath on the day of Chitra Poornima would minimize the ill effects of sins committed by a person. Since Chithra Gupta was born out of a cow’s womb, devotees usually refrain from using cow milk, cow curd and cow ghee. They also decorate their houses with colourful Rangolis and recite slokas in his praise of the deity. They believed that Chitra gupta would visit their houses to bless them with a long life.

Accessibility

Airport

The nearest airport is the Madurai airport.

Railways

The nearest railway stations are the Theni and Bodi stations.

Road

Kodangipatti lies approximately 8 Km far from Theni. Frequent bus facility is available from Theni to this place.

Temple Address

Sri Chitra Puthra Nayanar Temple,
Kodangipatti – 625 547,
Theni district.