The temples of Chakrahari and Guptahari are located at Guptar Ghat on the banks of the sacred Sarayu River in Ayodhya-Uttar Pradesh. Chakrahari and Guptahari temples are part of Sapta Hari Temples, which are the seven prominent Vishnu temples of Ayodhya dham.
The shrine of Chakrahari is within the Guptahari Temple.
Generally, we hear about the Sapta Puris, the seven sacred cities of India, of which Ayodhya Dham is one. Here in Ayodhya, we have Sapta Hari temples within one of the Sapta Puris. The deities of Lord Chakrahari and Lord Guptahari are worshipped here as one.
The Chakrahari and Guptahari temples represent two aspects of Lord Vishnu’s power — one visible (Chakrahari with the Sudarshana Chakra) and one hidden (Guptahari). They highlight his roles as a protector, preserver, and guide.
According to the Skanda Purana, Lord Vishnu meditated here in secret to give the devatas (gods) enough strength to defeat the asuras (demons) who had taken over Swargaloka (heaven). Since Lord Vishnu meditated here secretly, He came to be known as Guptahari.
When Lord Vishnu’s divine discus (chakra) fell at this spot from his lotus hand as he arrived in Ayodhya, He was called Chakrahari.
Once, during a battle between the asuras (demons) and the devas (gods), the asuras defeated the devas, causing them to flee. Lord Hara stopped the devas and, along with Brahma, took them to Lord Vishnu in the Kshira Sagara
(milky ocean). There, Hara praised Lord Vishnu, who became pleased and promised to perform penance secretly to increase the strength of the devas.
Lord Vishnu then came to the banks of the Sarayu River to perform his penance. The place where his divine Chakra fell became known as Chakrahari, and the spot where he secretly performed his penance became known as Guptahari. Through his penance, the devas gained strength and defeated the asuras. After their victory, the devas returned to Guptahari to worship Lord Vishnu. Pleased with their devotion, the Lord granted them protection and explained the sacredness of the place.
Devas requested Lord Guptahari to stay in Ayodhya to protect them. Lord Guptahari agreed and became revealed to devotees.
It is believed that a mere glance at Lord Guptahari and Lord Chakrahari can free a person from past sins. The temple’s annual festival takes place on the full moon day of the month of Kartika.
