Chandeshvara Temple, Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
Chandesa is one of the 63 Shiva Saints who holds a special place in a Shiva temple - and in a temple as large as Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur - he has his own separate shrine which is three-storeyed, located to the north of the main vimana of Brihadisvara temple. The temple has an octagonal shikhara that has four sculptures of a seated Chandikesvara and the corners are adorned by four Nandis.
Inside the Chandikeshwara (Chandesa ) temple - you will see 5 Chandikesvara images, two are seated images in the sanctum and three standing Chandikesvara in the niches, thus forming Pancha-Chandikesvara concept - the central one represents the Dhvani Chandesa, the second one in the sanctum represents Yamini Chandesa of Uma and the other three Chandesa are Tejas Chandesa, Kumbha Chandesa and Mitra Chandesa. How to reach Brihadiswara Temple in Thanjavur?
Since Chandesa is believed to be associated with Dhvani or the primordial sound - whenever a devotee visits Chandesa temple - before leaving a temple - its a tradition to clap hands - to pay your respect to the sound deity.
