Bhairavesvarar Temple, Cholapuram

Bhairavesvarar Temple stands at Cholapuram, once called Bhairavapuram, on the Kumbakonam-Chennai highway about 13 km from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district. The temple dates from the Chola period. Today there is no structure at the entrance, and only the base of the front mandapa survives.

Tradition holds that Bhairava took the form of Shiva at this place; hence the lingam is called Bhairavesvarar and the goddess Bhairavesvari. It is said that the 64 Bhairavas appeared here and that the first Bhairava came from this spot, and the temple has 64 peetams where they are believed to have worshipped and meditated. In the goddess's shrine only her face is shown. Other images include an eight-armed Bhairava, an eight-armed Durga, Ardhanarishvara, Dakshinamurti, Gangadharar and Kalyanasundara. Special pujas take place on Saturdays.