Thirucherai Sri Saranathan Perumal Temple, Kumbakonam

Address

Thirucherai Sri Saranathan Perumal Temple, Thirucherai (Po.), Kumbakonam (Tk.), Thanjavur (Dt), Tamil Nadu 612605

Diety

Saranathar, Amman: Panchalakshmi

Introduction

The Saranathan Temple in Thirucherai, a village in the outskirts of Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the god Vishnu. The temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Saranathan and his consort Lakshmi as Saranayaki. It is believed that Saranathan appeared for Cauvery, the river goddess, who performed penance at this place. The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity with contributions at different times from Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagar Empire and Madurai Nayaks. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and three of the four bodies of water. The rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower has five tiers and raises to a height of 120 ft (37 m). The temple is unique where the presiding deity Vishnu has five consorts. It has also a shrine dedicated to river Cauvery, which is unique feature among all Vishnu temples. Theertham : Sara Pushkarini Tower: Sara Vimanam

Puranic Significance

According to scriptures, during the Pralaya the devasting floods, Lord Brahmma took the soil of this place, made a pot and placed the Vedas in for safety. Mother Cauvery begged Perumal that she too may granted the status of Holy Ganga considered superior in washing off the sins of those bathing inthe river. She performed penance for the boon under the Bodhi tree on the western bank of Sara Pushkarini. Pleased with her penance, Perumal crawled on the lap of Cauvery as a little child. Cauvery said that she was not for that boon alone. Perumal appeared before her with His five consorts. Cauvery begged Perumal that He should stay in the place in the same form. Obliging Cauvery, Perumal also granted a space to her in the Sanctum Sanctorum to His left, which devotees can see even now.

Beliefs

Devotees pray for relief from the consequences of sins committed. It is believed that worshipping Saranatha Perumal brings benefit of 100 baths in Cauvery

Special Features

The temple is 380 ft (120 m) long and 380 ft (120 m) wide. The temple has a temple tank in front of the temple with the same dimension. The five-tiered gopuram (temple tower) is 120 ft (37 m) tall and pierces the large compound wall around the temple. There is a second gopuram is three-storied and it is located in the first precinct around the sanctum. The presiding deity, Sarantha has a 12 ft (3.7 m) tall image in standing posture. The stone images of Cauvery and sage Markandeya are housed in the sanctum. The festival deity is accompanied by Bhudevi, Sridevi and Neeladevi. A small idol of Santhanakrishna and Selvar are also housed in the sanctum. The shrine of Saranatha’s consort Saranayaki Thayar is located adjacent to the sanctum. The image of both the main idol and the festival image in the Thayar are depicted in seated posture. In the second precinct there is a Kalayana hall, where there is a shrine of Rajagoplaswamy. The images of Rukmini and Sathyabama are also housed in the same shrine. In front of the shrine, the shrine of Thiruvenkatamudayam is situated. There are separate shrines of Sri Rama, Narashima, Kaliyamardhana, Bala Saranatha, Senai Mudaliar, Ramanuja, Pillai Logachariar, Azhwars and Manavala Mamunigal in the temple. Mudikondan River flows from the west and Kudamurutti River in the south of the temple. There is a shrine of Hanuman from the west end of the temple tank and Vinayaka from the North eastern side.

Festivals

The temple celebrates Thai Poosam in January-February for 10 days. Car festival takes place on the final day. The darshan granted to Mother Cauvery took place during the Jupiter transition time. Jupiter transition from one zodiac sign to the next takes place once in 12 years. This happens in Thai (January-February) on Poosam star day once in 12 years. Bathing in Sara Pushkarini this day is considered equal to a bath in the Maha Magam day in Kumbakonam.