Divya Desam – Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Chola Naadu |
Chola Naadu | 12th Vishnu Sthalam |
HISTORY:
The
biggest temple in this city is that of "Sarangapani" which rises upto
150 feet with 9 tiers. The bows held by Vishnu in different aspects carry
different names. Rama's bow is called "Kothandam" and hence he is
called Kodhandaraman. There is a bow called Sarangam and the lord who wields it
is called "Sarangapani", who is housed here. Of the 108 "Divya
Desas", the most important is Thiruvarangam. Next comes Thirumalai and the
third is this Sthala. Another pecularity is the mentioned has been sung by
eleven Alwars, the second by 9 and this by 7 Alwars. This temple too was
renovated by Govinda dikshitar. This shrine had a special significance in the
history of Vaishnavism.
Sarangapani temple is the biggest Vishnu temple in Kumbakonam and it belongs to
13th century. The Moolavar is Sarangan ,and the thayar is Ranganayaki. The
temple sanctum is designed like a chariot with wheels and is drawn by horses
and elephants. This is an important divya desam of Vishnu and is also known as
Tiru Kudanthai. This is one of the Pancha Ranga Khestras ; Other four are
temple of Sri Ranganatha; Sri Rangam, (near Trichy) Appakudathan temple,
Tirukoviladi- Trichy, Parimala Ranganathar at Tiru Indalur (near Kumbakonam)
and Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple at Srirangapatanam in Karnataka.
When
it was time for the destruction of this world a huge pralaya came up. In order
to save the vedha's Amirtham and tools necessary to create lives on earth, lord
Bhrama collected all these things and put them in a mud pot and kept the pot
safety on the top of the Mountain Meru.
Pralaya
kalam (ie) the period of non stop heavy rain came and the pot of bhrama was
washed away by the flood. In due course moving in the south direction it came
to halt at a particular place. Then for the wish of all devar's (ie) heavenly
people Lord Shiva broke the pot with an arrow. Immediately Amudham (ie) the
liquit given eternity flowed from the pot and formed two tanks. One is known as
Maha maga kulam and the othr Potramarai kulam. The remains of the pot and
Amudham joined together to form "Lord Kumbeswarar". In the name of the
broken pot (ie) Kumbam that place was clled Kumbakkonam or simply Kudanthai.
Once
there was a dispute between the rishis as to whom to submit the
"Avirbagam" (ie) to whom they should give more importance among the
trinity "Sivan, Bhrama and Vishnu".
As
they couldn't resolve the matter they sent "Brighu Maharishi" to test
the Trinities and finally to select the best member. So, Brighu Maharishi went
to Siva logam (ie) the place of Shiva and Bhramalogam (ie) place of Bhrama and
was dishonoured by them. So angrily he went at last to Vishuloga (ie) the the
place of Maha Vishnu.
There
too he wasn't honoured properly. So he got very angry and kicked Maha Vishnu's
heart where Godess Mahalakshmi lives. But in turn Mahavishnu took the feet
which kicked him and said "Oh! rishi you have kicked me, but I do not
bother about that but your feet may ache due to this so let me soothe it."
Saying so he tactfully took away the third eye of Brighu Maharishi which was
conceled under his toe. Due to this Brighu Maharishi regained his temper and
also lost his eye of Pride. As soon as he lost his pride he became very humble
and pleaded Mahavishnu to forgive him. From this the Lord God has showed us
that unless we lose our pride and become humble. What ever position we may
hold, that would never fetch God towards us.
Meanwhile,
as Bhrigu Maharishi gave a kick where she lived, Mahalakshmi gave a kick where
she lived, Mahalakshmi got annoyed and left the scene. She came to the earth
and started to live at Kollapuram.
Without
Mahalakshmi the Godess of Money Lord Narayana was worried a lot and came to
earth in search of his beloved wife. But as he couldn't find he, he transformed
himself into Lord Srinivasa and married Godess Padmavathi. As Mahalakshmi left
him he was not having enough money for marriage so he borrowed some money from
Lord Khubera. Once again he was left alone for Padmavathidevi had a dispute
with Lord Srinivasa and left Thirupati. By now, Mahalakshmi who was staying at
Kollapuri came to know the news of Lord Srinivasa's marriage from Naradha. She
became very angry and started to search Lord Srinivasa who had fled to Abyss
(ie) paathala loga in Kumbakkonam, to escape from Mahalakshmi's angry.
Goddess
Mahalakshmi searched Lord Srinivasa every where but her effort gave her no
fruits. So she became a small child and crawled as BalaKomalavalli in the
Potramarai Kulam.
Brighu
Maharishi who kicked Mahalakshmi felt very much for his action and hence took
rebirth as Hema Maharishi. He saw Balukomalavalli and started to bring her up
as his own daughter. When it was time for Komalavalli's marriage, Hema
Maharishi performed a very hard penance and pleaded Mahavishnu to accept
Mahalakshmi. Lord Mahavishnu granted his wish. On a Mahashankaranthi day Lord
Mahavishnu emerged out from Vaideha Vimanam contained in the pranava vimana of
Sri Rangam and came in a huge chariot and married Komalavalli Thaayar.
As
the Thayaar Komalavalli was angry with Lord Srinivasa who has a standing
posture to soothe her anger Lord Mahavishnu now adapted the sleeping posture of
Ranganatha of Sri Rangam and became SaarngapaaNi in Kumbakonam.
Actually
Shargam is the name of the bow of Sri Rama, one of the ten Avathar's of Sri
Mahavishnu. Sri Rama is very famous for his one man - one wife format of life.
So on order to give assurence of Security for his wife Komalavalli Lord
Mahavishnu has adapted the shargam in the name of Sri Ramam and the posture of
Ranganatha so as to be called as "SaarngapaaNi".
There
is a "Paadhala Srinivasar" in this temple which remainds as the above
tale. Goddess Mahalakshmi repented for her mistake and from then onwards she
took a vow that she would never leave her dear husband. Hence even today she
never leaves out of her chamber. So only she is called as "Padhi Thanda
Patni".
This place is treated equivalent with Thirupati, SriRangam, Kaattu Mannar
Kovil, Alwar Thirunagari, Thruvellarai, Thiruvekka, Thiru Kandiyur,
ThiruKarambanoor, Thiruputkuzhi and Thirupullamboothamkudi. This place is
treated as the place which explains the meaning of Paramathma Thathuvam.
The following three incidents:
The
magical pot of Bhrama - Lord shiva who broke the neck of the pot - Lord
Ranganatha who as Aaraamudhan also named SaarngapaaNi's marriage with
Komalavalli represents the power of the trinity Bhrama, Vishnu and Sivan at a
single place like the I which happend at Karambanoor and Kandiyur. Even then,
this place is called as Bhaskara Shetram only.
The
combination of some hamsam's (ie) parts of Lord Shivan and Lord Vishnu is named
as Lord Bhaskara. He has two heads and four hands. Two hands are used by him to
pray Lord Shiva whereas the other two hands contain the lotus which represents
Godess Mahalakshmi. Her body is of red colour, the colour of Lord Shivan and
his ornaments are all of blue colour representing Mahavishnu.
As the powers of lord Shiva and Vishnu has combined here this place is called
as Bhaskara shethram. This place paves a way to the unison of Shaiveties and
Vaishnaveties.
In
the sanctum there is a beautifully carved out 12 pillared mandapa going by the
Tirumamani mandapam reminiscent of the similar Mandapa at Sri Vaikuntha and
hence it is axiomatic to call this kshetra a Bhuloka Vaikuntha like Sri Rangam.
The
immensely lofty tower 150 feet in height and 90 feet and 51 feet in length and
breath shall speak a lot about the grandeur of the gopuram and the splendour of
Sri Sarangapani who abides therein.
There
is no Paramapadavasal to the temple. The Uttarayana and Dakshinayana are the
two gateways of this temple.The one in the north will be open from 14th January
to 15th July and the one in the south from 15th July to 14th January. So it is
indeed meritorious to enter through either of these two gateways for
worshipping the Lord.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Sarangapani |
|
Ambal |
Sri Komalavalli |
|
Theertham |
Potramarai Kulam Theertham |
BELIEF:
Devotees pray here to
realize their wishes. It is the belief that the prayer will certainly bring
them what they desire and expect.
Akshaya Tritiyai - 12 Garuda Sevai Chaitra Brahma Utsavam celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April - May), Vasantotsavam during Vaikasi (May - June), Pavitrotsavam - Ekadasi Jyeshotsavam during Adi(July - August), Sri Jayanthi - Uriyadi Utsavam during Avani (August - September), Navaratri Utsavam - Saraswathi Puja - Vijayadasami during Purattasi (September - October), Deepavali - Shraddha of Sri Lakshmi Narayanaswami during Aippasi (October - November), Deepa Utsavam - Unjal Utsavam during Karthigai (November - December), Pakal Pattu - Ira Pattu Pongal Sankaramana Utsavam during Margazhi (December - January), Kanu Utsavam - Amavasya - Ratasaptami during Thai (January - February), Masi Magaham - Float Festival during Masi (February - March) and Brahmmotsavam - Tirukkalyanotsavam during Panguni (March - April) are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
HOW
TO REACH:
This
temple lies in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. It's about 1 1/2 miles away
from Kumbakkonam railway station. Which is on the chennai - Thanjore main line.
Bus facility and staying facilities are ample.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Sarngapani Swamy
Temple,
Kumbakonam,
Tanjore,
Tamil Nadu.
LOCATION:
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