Citragupta (चित्रगुप्त) is said to have been the forefather/ progenitor of the Kāyasthas from Māthurā, according to the “Samoṣaṇa Kāitha Māthura-rāsa” (dealing with caste history), and is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppi’ library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—In between the work deals with the legendary origin of the Kāyasthas as sons of Citragupta, himself born from Brahmā’s body. The Māthura Kāyasthas are one of the twelve Kāyastha groups. [...] This group, which is said to take its name from the fact that it was associated with Mathura (Māthura Nivāsī) is referred for the first time as such in an inscription dated VS 1161 (1103 CE; cf. Chitrarekha Gupta, The Kāyasthas. A Study in the Formation and Early History of a Caste, Calcutta.
Chitragupta is a Hindu God who has been delegated with the mission of maintaining complete records of the actions of human beings and either punishing or rewarding them based on their karma. After they die, Chitragupta is entrusted with the job of determining if a human being goes to heaven or hell, contingent on their actions on the earth. Lord Chitragupta is believed to be the seventeenth Manasputra of Lord Brahma. He is said to have been formed out of Brahma’s soul and mind and thereby, assigned to pen down Vedas like Brahmins with the duty of a Kshatriya. Chitragupta is assumed to escort Yama, the God of Death. Chitragupta Maharaj is considered to be the patron deity of Kayasthas, a Hindu caste of India and Nepal. Since Lord Chitragupta was given the task of keeping a log of deeds committed by human beings on Earth, he is referred to as the ‘Bookkeeper’ by both human beings as well as Gods. He is also known as the God of Justice. Since Hindu mythology fiercely backs the role ‘Karma’ plays in determining which journey an individual ascends after his/her life on earth, all deeds committed by the person are meticulously evaluated and only then can an appropriate path be made. The role of Chitragupta is to make a log of all beings and determine their fate after they let go of their mortal coil. ORIGINS IN HINDU SCRIPTURES As per the Vedic scriptures, the souls of men post-death are given either rewards or punishments based on their sins and virtues. Thereby, it is said that the good and bad deeds of men are not annihilated. The souls of men after they die travel to Yamloka, which is supervised over by the gods known as Yamadutas who keep logs of the actions of beings and based on that, deliver them their dues. The main deity of Yamaloka is believed to be Yamaraj – the king of Yamaloka, and the Chief of Laws. As per the Padma Purana, Chitragupta was positioned next to Yama to chronicle the good and evil actions of all sentient beings. He came with supernatural wisdom and became the accomplice of sacrifices delivered to the gods and re. It is for this purpose that the twice-born always provided him with offerings from their food. As he emerged from the body of Lord Brahma, he was referred to as Kayastha of several gotras on the face of the earth. Garuda Purana talks about the imperial throne of Chitragupta in Yamaloka administering his court and doling out justice based on the actions of men and preserving their record. The Mahabharata discusses the teaching of Chitragupta needing men to do noble and charitable acts and performing Yagna, mentioning that men are either rewarded or punished based on their moral or immoral actions. KR IRS 14525 On Wed, 14 May 2025 at 10:20, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > *CHITHRAGUPTA TEMPLE,NELLUKARA STREET, KANCHIPURAM TAMIL NADU –COMPILED* > > Dear friends, > > Today my posting is about a rare temple- Yes, Chithragupta temple located > in Nellukara Street Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. Chithra Guptha is considered > to be the assistant of Yama, the Hindu god of death. *On a Google search > I found about 14 temples are in India*, for Chithra Guptha. About 4 years > back I have visited the temple in Kanchipuram, close to Kanchipuram Bus > stand. > > Hope a divine reading > > Gopalakrishnan 14-5-2025 > > Introduction > > Chithragupta temple is a Hindu temple located in Nellukara Street > Kanchipuram in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the rare > temples of the Hindu deity Chithragupta, considered to be the assistant of > Yama, the Hindu god of death. > > Chithragupta is believed to have emerged from a painting and set as the > accountant of good and bad deeds of human beings by Brahma. The temple has > a three-tiered Rajagopuram (gateway tower) and a single precinct around the > sanctum. > > Legends > > As per Hindu legend, Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction was discussing > with his wife Parvathi about maintaining Dharma amidst all human beings in > earth and maintaining good account of their deeds. He felt that he wanted > to have someone to have a close watch on the people to prevent them from > indulging in crime and involving themselves in good deeds. Shiva drew a > picture in a gold plate - Parvathi was impressed and wanted Shiva to detail > it. *The picture turned into a deity by the divine grace of Shiva and > Parvathi.* > > *Lord Yama was much in need of an assistant and had requested Lord Siva.* > Shiva entrusted the duty of maintaining the account of deeds of all > human beings in earth. *He came to be known as Chithragupta as he was > derived from a Chithra (picture) and Gupta (with secrecy)*. He was set as > the accountant of Yama, who is the Hindu deity of death. > > *As per another legend*, Brihaspati, the Guru of planetary deities had a > disagreement with Indra, the king of celestial deities. On account of the > confrontation, Brihaspati discontinued his advocacy to Indra. At a later > point, Indra realized his mistakes and patched up with his Guru. To expiate > himself from the sins created, he started on a pilgrimage and reached the > place to find a Linga. He constructed a temple in the place and golden > lotuses started appearing in the nearby temple tank. *The day was Chithra > Pournami.* > > Another legend states that Indra prayed to Shiva to have a child, but as > per the divine wish, his wife Indrani was not supposed have any progeny. > Shiva directed Kamadhenu, the holy cow to give birth to a child. Shiva > later entrusted the child to Indra and Indrani, who later brought him up as > Chithragupta. > > Another legend states that once Lord Yama was tired of keeping account of > good and bad deeds of so many people. So he prayed to Lord Shiva to give > him an able assistant. Lord Shiva asked Lord Brahma to create one for him, > since he was the creator of universe*. Lord Brahma created a fire within > the sun, with the power of the sun the rainbow was created with which > transformed into a girl known as Neeladevi.* Neeladevi lived with the sun > and through them a male child was born who was named as Chithragupta. The > child on birth carried a book in his left hand and a writing nail in the > right. > > Since Chithragupta was born of a rainbow it is a belief that Chithragupta > is highly pleased with the gift of multicolored cloth. > > My note- Among the three legends, the first one is more popular. > > Architecture > > The temple is a striking work of traditional architecture that is found in > most of the temples in South India. It has a three-tiered rajagopuram, the > gateway tower and one precinct. Only one sanctum sanctorum > > History > > The present masonry structure was built during the *Chola dynasty in the > 9th century CE*, while later expansions are attributed to various others. > Archaeologist have confirmed based on the inscriptions that the temple was > built during the 9th century CE by the Medieval Cholas. The temple has > various maintenance activities during the subsequent period. During the > repair works carried out during 1911, two historical metal idols of > Chithragupta and his consort Karnikambal were found. These images are > housed in the central sanctum. During modern times, a consecration was > performed during 1918 and 1994. > > Deities > > The central shrine has the image of Chithragupta in seated posture. He is > sported with a ezhuthaani (pen) in his right hand and scripts in his left > hand. > > The idol of Chithragupta can be seen with his consort Karnikambal. It is > believed that upon the worship of Lord Chithragupta, the devotee would be > bestowed with prosperity and also the *evil effects of Kethu would be > neutralized.* > > There is also the Utsava Panchaloka idol of Chithragupta which is seen > along with his consort Karnikambal. > > Temple Puja timings > > Puja is performed four times on all days of the week in Chithragupta > temple in morning, evening, afternoon and night. > > Apart from this special puja is performed by the temple on the request of > individuals for which charge is there. Below are special Puja performed: > > Parihara Abishekam > > Pooja cost: Rs.600/-, you have to inform the temple authorities one day > before. > > *Sarpa Dosham / KalaSarpa Dosha, Rahu, Ketu Pooja* > > Pooja cost: Rs.3500/-, you have to inform the temple authorities five day > before. > > *Parihara Chithranna Milk Abishekam* > > Pooja cost: Rs.1800/-, you have to inform the temple authorities five day > before.This Pooja has to be performed for 7 weeks and only on Wednesday and > Saturday at 07:30 am. > > Contact: +(91) 44 27230571, 044 27225875, 9443210256 > > Festivals > > The major festival celebrated in the temple in *Chithra Pournami during > April.* The temple is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in > the city. > > Religious importance > > Chithragupta, as per Hinduism is the accountant of Yama, the death god, > who keeps track of good and bad deeds of human beings to decide their > residence in heaven or hell. The temple is just one of its kind that has a > separate temple for Chithragupta. Every new moon, there are special > worship practices followed in the temple. > > Chithragupta is considered the Adidevata for Ketu, the ninth planet of > Hindu astrology. He is the patron and central deity of the Kayastha > community, who are known as the descendant of Shri Chithragupt, but is also > worshipped by both Shaivites and Vaishnavites. Women devotees observe > fast or consume food without salt during the day to seek blessings of > Chithragupta. During old times, traditional village accountants worship > god seeking divine blessings for their profession. > > Rahu Ketu Peyarchi > > The temple authorities will inform the date of puja on their website. > > Benefits obtained by Visiting a Chithragupta temple > > Visiting a Chithragupta temple is believed to bring spiritual and > worldly benefits. It is a place where devotees seek blessings for > forgiveness of sins, relief from Ketu afflictions, and overall prosperity. > Chithragupta is also considered the Adidevata (principal deity) of Ketu, > and worshipping him can help mitigate the negative effects of this planet. > > Here's a more detailed look at the benefits: > > Forgiveness of sins: > > Devotees believe that by worshipping Chithragupta, their sins can be > forgiven, leading to a more peaceful and prosperous life. > > Relief from Ketu afflictions: > > Chithragupta is the Adidevata of Ketu, and visiting the temple can help > alleviate the negative effects of this planet, including issues related to > health, finances, and relationships. > > Prosperity and well-being: > > Worshipping Chithragupta is believed to bring prosperity, wealth, and > overall well-being to devotees. > > Rectifying negative karmas: > > Chithragupta keeps records of human deeds, and worshipping him is believed > to help purify negative karmas, offering devotees a chance to rectify their > fate. > > Spiritual guidance: > > Chithragupta is believed to help devotees find their inner potential and > guide them towards a path of dharma (righteousness). > > Protection and divine pardon: > > Worshipping Chithragupta can offer protection from negative influences and > help devotees seek divine pardon for their actions. > > Specific blessings: > > Some devotees believe that Chithragupta can help with specific needs, such > as finding a partner, resolving legal issues, or improving one's career. > > *In essence, visiting a Chithragupta temple is a way for devotees to > connect with a deity who is associated with justice, accountability, and > the maintenance of dharma. It is a place where individuals seek blessings > for spiritual growth, forgiveness, and worldly success.* > > Children of Chitra Guptha > > Chithragupta, in Hindu mythology, had twelve sons who are considered the > progenitors of twelve subdivisions of the *Chithraguptavanshi Kayastha > community.* > > These sons, who were married to Nagkanyas, are: Bhanuputra (married to > Padmini), Vibhanu (married to Malati), Vishwabhanu (married to Narmada), > Charu (married to Bhadrakalini), Chithrasar (married to Bhanunkakshi), > Matimaan (married to Panjakshi), Sucharu (married to Gandaki), Charusta > (married to Kokles Suta), Himwaan (married to Sukhdamni), Chithra (married > to Kamkala), Atindriya (married to Manuj Bhashani), and Charun (married to > Karnaki). > > These twelve sons are also the founders of the Kayastha subdivisions named > Srivastava, Mathur, Gaur, Nigam, Asthana, Kulshrestha, Suryadwaja, > Bhatnagar, Ambastha, Saxena, Karana, and Valmiki. > > Temple timings > > 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and again from 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM. > > Address: Hospital Rd, Nellukara street, Near Kanchipuram Bus stand, > Kanchipuram, > Tamil Nadu 631501.Phone: 095144 44220 > > Administration > > The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and > Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. > > How To Reach Chithragupta Temple > > Chithragupta Temple is easily accessible by road from any part of the town > of Kanchipuram. Public transport is the best way to reach the temple. > Tourists can rent taxis or cabs or hail local buses that frequently ply > throughout the town. Those travelling by private vehicles can reach the > temple via Gandhi Road - Chengalpattu Road - Vellore Road. > > Nearest Railway station- kanchipuram > > Nearest Airport-Chennai airport > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/161321445.101548.1747198218727%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/161321445.101548.1747198218727%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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