Sri Saranathan Perumal Temple – Thirucherai

 

Sri Saranathan Perumal Temple is located in Thirucherai village on the outskirts of Kumbakonam of Tamilnadu State.

It is one of the 108 Divyadesam temples of Lord Vishnu

Here Lord Vishnu is Worshipped as Saranthan Perumal and Lakshmi Devi as Saranayaki

It is believed that Saranathan appeared for Kaveri, the river goddess, who performed penance at this place.

This temple has 5 tier Rajagopuram

The presiding deity, Sarantha has a 12 ft tall image in standing posture. The stone images of Kaveri and sage Markandeya are housed in the sanctum. The festival deity is accompanied by Bhudevi, Sridevi, and Niladevi. A small idol of Santhanakrishna and Selvar is 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 a seated posture. In the second precinct, there is a Kalayana hall, where there is a shrine of Rajagoplaswamy. The images of Rukmini and Satyabhama are also housed in the same shrine. In front of the shrine, the shrine of Thiruvenkatamudayam is situated.

There are separate shrines of Rama, Narashima, Kaliyamardhana, Bala Saranatha, Senai Mudaliar, Ramanuja, Pillai Lokacharya, the Alvars and Manavala Mamunigal in the temple.

There is a shrine of Hanuman from the west end of the temple tank and Vinayaka from the north-eastern side.

Lord Brahma was concerned during pralaya about saving the Vedas and all other things required to restart creation. He prayed to Lord Vishnu about it. He was told to make a strong earthen pot and store all his needs in it. It was the earth he found at Thirucherai that proved to be strong and good.

Due to his role in saving all this, the Lord is known as 'Saranathan', the universal mother is 'Saranayaki', and the place is 'Sarakshetram' (Panchasara kshetra). The temple pond is called 'Sara theertham'.

When asked which was the best of rivers, Lord Brahma informed Kaveri that since he washed Trivikrama's feet in the waters, the Ganges was the most superior of all rivers. Kaveri desiring the same status did penance for Lord Vishnu who granted her wishes to remain in Thirucherai always and that during Tula month (Oct-Nov) she would be deemed the best of rivers.

It is also said that the temple was built by one of the ministers of the Naik kings who secretly constructed it using material meant for the Rajagopalaswamy temple at Mannargudi. An angered king made a visit to inspect and found a Rajagopalan shrine which appeased his anger.

The only other Divya Desam where Vishnu is depicted with five consorts is this one. The temple is known as Tirucherai because it is a representation of the five divine elements: land, Vimana, Nachiyar, Perumal, and Tirtha. During the coronation of Rama, the avatar of Vishnu, Vibishana was presented with the sacrosanct Sri Ranga Vimana. He was carrying it all the way to his kingdom of Lanka and midway, to rest, he placed the image on the banks of Kaveri. After performing his routine puja, he tried to lift the Vimana, but it could not be lifted. Mahavishnu appeared to him and said that he desired to stay as Ranganatha in the place, which went on to become Srirangam. Vishnu also desired to watch the Brahmotsavam at Tirucherai. The festivals of the temple are thus considered sacred. The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of the river Kaveri.

The twelve-day Brahmotsavam, the main celebration, takes place in January and February, during the Tamil month of Thai. It is thought that Vishnu came down from Vaikuntam to earth to bestow Kaveri only on the auspicious day of Pushya star of the month. The temple car, Rathotsavam, is drawn on the ninth day of the celebration. Other Vaishnavite festivals observed are Karthigai, Tamil New Year, Sankaranthi, Panguni Uthiram, Margazhi ten-day festival, and Krishna Janmashtami.

Timings

6.00 am to 12.00 noon

5.00 pm to 8.00 pm

How to reach the Temple

14 km from Kumbakonam