- Overview
- Legends
- History
- What the official listings say
- Worship and festivals
- Festivals
- Photos
- Timings
- Questions
- Sources
Overview
The Chitragupta temple on Nellukara Street, Kanchipuram, is described by Wikipedia as one of the rare temples of the deity Chitragupta, the assistant of Yama, the god of death. Chitragupta keeps the account of the good and bad deeds of human beings. The temple has a three-tiered rajagopuram and a single precinct around the sanctum.[2]
Chitragupta is considered the Adidevata for Ketu, the ninth planet in Hindu astrology. He is the central deity of the Kayastha community, and is also worshipped by Shaivites and Vaishnavites.[2]
Legends
In the first legend, Shiva drew a picture on a gold plate while discussing how to keep dharma among humans. Parvati was impressed and asked him to add detail, and the picture became a deity, who was set as the accountant of Yama. The name Chitragupta comes from chitra, "picture", and gupta, "secret".[2]
A second legend tells of Brihaspati and Indra. After a quarrel, Indra repented and set out on a pilgrimage, found a lingam at this place and built a temple; golden lotuses appeared in the tank on Chitra Pournami. In a third, Indra and Indrani were given a child by the cow Kamadhenu on Shiva's direction, and they brought him up as Chitragupta.[2]
History
Archaeologists have confirmed from inscriptions that the temple was built in the 9th century CE by the medieval Cholas. During repair work in 1911, two historical metal idols of Chitragupta and his consort Karnikambal were found; they are kept in the sanctum. Consecrations were performed in 1918 and 1994, and the temple has been run by hereditary trustees.[2]
In the lead, Wikipedia says the temple is maintained by the HR&CE Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu, while the history says it has been run by hereditary trustees, so who currently manages it is being verified.being verified[2]
What the official listings say
The temple's HR&CE page describes it as a rare temple of Chitragupta on Nellukara Street, with a three-tiered rajagopuram and a single precinct. Its text is the same as the Wikipedia article, so it does not give an independent confirmation of the history. It confirms the temple is maintained by the HR&CE Department.[1]
Worship and festivals
There are special worship practices on every new moon. The major festival is Chitra Pournami in April. Women devotees fast or eat food without salt during the day, and village accountants traditionally worship here for blessings on their profession.[2]
Festivals
Photos
Timings
- Morning 7:00 to 12:00 noon and evening 4:00 to 8:00 in the evening; the page labels the hours AM/PM inconsistently but its plain text says "7 o'clock to afternoon 12, then evening 4 o'clock to night 8" (official HR&CE listing) — HR&CE, Government of Tamil Nadu [1]
Frequently asked questions
Who is Chitragupta?
The accountant of Yama, who records the good and bad deeds of human beings.[2]
What is special about this temple?
It is one of the rare temples dedicated to Chitragupta, and is considered the Adidevata temple for Ketu.[2]
When is the main festival?
Chitra Pournami, in April.[2]
When was the temple built?
In the 9th century CE by the medieval Cholas, according to inscriptions.[2]
What are the Chitragupta Temple timings?
The official HR&CE listing gives about 7:00 AM to 12:00 noon and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.[1]
Sources
- Arulmigu Chithragupthaswamy Temple, Kancheepuram [TM001817] — HR&CE, Government of Tamil NaduOfficial (HR&CE) · accessed 2026-11-01
- Chitragupta temple, Kanchipuram — WikipediaEncyclopedia (secondary) · accessed 2026-11-01
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