Chitragupta Temple in Hyderabad

by Chitragupt Pariwar (Hum Kayasth) on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 2:45pm

FENDING OFF DEATH: Belief drives the devout here.

HYDERABAD: You might not like him for the work he does but, whether you like him or not, you have to bow before him. In the abode of the dead, he records the human virtues and vices and reads out the account of every soul's life from his register when the soul arrives in the kingdom of Yama, the god of death.
But not many know that Chitragupta, who keeps track of the actions, both good and bad, of every human, is "watching" everyone from a temple at Kandikal gate in Chatrinaka.
The devout believe that by worshipping at the Chitragupta Mahadeva devalayam, stated to be 250 years old, one can wash away one's sins.
Chitragupta has two temples _ one in Lucknow of Uttar Pradesh and the second in Hyderabad. Every year, Chitragupta's birthday is celebrated as "Yama Dwiteeya," on the second day after Deepavali. "If Ketu, a graha among Nava grahas is troubling you, you can get rid of it by worshipping Chitragupta. This is the main reason why people visit this temple. He is also worshipped to avoid untimely death," explains the priest at the temple, Rangachary.
Special days
Mr. Rangachary says that just like Thursdays are considered special for Bhagwan Saibaba, Wednesdays are considered special for the Yama's assistant, Chitragupta. Along with the stone idol of Chitragupta are the idols of his two wives _ Iravati and Dakshina _ in the temple.
According to V. Anjaiah (87), who runs a pan shop near the temple, the temple was constructed by Raja Dharam Karan. "The panchaloha idol of Chitragupta was stolen several years ago. Though the local persons are not aware of this temple, people from far-away places visit this temple," he says.
Two more temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Rama have been constructed next to the Chitragupta temple.
The birth day of Chitragupta, which falls on "Bhai Dooj" festival day, is celebrated on a grand scale at the temple. A "rath yatra" is taken out and special puja is performed. The temple opposite the Chatrinaka police station is open from 6 a.m. to 12 noon and from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.