Chakrapani Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to God Vishnu located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. This temple is located 2 km, away towards North West from the Kumbakonam Railway Station. Vishnu appears in the form of a discus or Chakra to put down the pride of Surya (the Sun), who subsequently became his devotee.[1] Like Shiva, Lord Chakrapani has a third eye on His forehead. The temple is one of the most prominent temples in Kumbakonam.

According to legend, the Chakrapani Swamy temple in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu was built by the sun after Chakrapani came out of a chakra and gave Dharsan to the sun. The sun then built the temple and asked Chakrapani to name the city of Kumbakonam after him, which he granted. Kumbakonam is now known as Bhaskara Kshethra because of the Chakrapani temple.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is one of the three Vishnu temples that visitors to Kumbakonam are likely to visit. The temple depicts Chakrapani in the form of a discus or Chakra, with eight arms and a third eye on his forehead. Brahma, Surya, and Agni are depicted worshipping the Lord. Some say the temple is very old and peaceful, with architectural features from the Chola and Mahratta regimes. Others say it's a powerful and historic temple with lots of divine vibes.

As per Hindu legend, Chakra (also called Sudarshana), the discus, is the most powerful weapon of god Vishnu. He once sent his weapon to the nether world to kill king Jalandasura. The weapon is believed to have come out of the nether world through river Kaveri. God Brahma, who was taking a bath in the river, got impressed and installed the image of Sudarshana in the place where the temple is now located. Surya, the Sun god, who was glowing in brilliance, had his brightness diminished by the effulgent Sudarshana. Surya worshipped Sudarshana and pleased by his devotion, Sudarshana restored all the powers of Surya. Vishnu attained the name Chakrapani from then on. Surya wanted the town to be named after him and pleased by his devotion, Chakrapani named the city as Bhaskara Kshetra.[3] It is believed that Surya worshiped Chakrathaazhwar during Masi Magam and every year Masi Magam festival is celebrated during the day, commemorating the event. The temple car is drawn around the streets of the temple during the day.

In 1620, when Govinda Dikshitar, divan-administrator for the Nayaks, constructed the Ramaswamy Temple, Kumbakonam, he added a commercial corridor between the new temple and the older Chakrapani temple.

The temple has granite walls enclosing all the shrines and pierced by a five-tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower. The temple is noted for its exquisite pillars. The presiding deity, Chakrapani is sported with eight arms, each having a weapon and is housed in the central shrine in an elevated structure. Chakrapani is sported with a third eye on his forehead. The Eastern and Western entrances of this temple are known as "Thatchinaya Vayil" and "Utharavana Vayil" respectively and the outer Prakara of this temple is made in the form of a balcony. There is a bronze image of king Serfoji II worshipping the lord as he is said to have been cured of an illness by the grace of this God.