Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple, Kabisthalam

The Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple at Kabisthalam (Thirukkavithalam), 3 km from Papanasam and about 20 km from both Kumbakonam and Thanjavur, lies between the Kaveri and Kollidam rivers. One of the 108 Divya Desams and one of the five Pancha-Kannan temples, it honours Vishnu as Gajendra Varadha, shown reclining, with Lakshmi as Ramamanivalli. Legend says King Indrajuman, cursed to be reborn as the elephant Gajendra, was seized by a crocodile in the temple tank and called on Vishnu, who sent his discus to free him; Hanuman is also said to have worshipped here, giving the village its name, from kabi, monkey.

The temple is attributed to the Medieval Cholas, with later work by Vijayanagara kings and Madurai Nayaks. A wall encloses its single precinct, five-tier rajagopuram and shrines to Yoga Narasimhar, Sudarsana, Garuda and the Alvars, and the complex holds the Gajendra Pushkarani and Kapila Theertham tanks. The Gajendra Moksha Lila in Aadi (July–August) is the main festival.