Divya Desam – Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Chola Naadu |
Chola Naadu | 15th Vishnu Sthalam |
HISTORY:
Lord
Perumal grants darshan to devotees in a standing posture facing east. The
vimana above the sanctum sanctorum is known as Sara Vimana. Mother Cauvery was
granted darshan by Lord. The length of the temple is 380 feet and the width 234
feet. The Rajagopuram is 90 feet tall. There are shrines for Sage Agasthya,
Lord Brahmma and Mother Cauvery on the western bank of Sara Pushkarini opposite
the temple. Shrines for Lord Srinivasa Perumal, Azhwars, Nammazhwar, Udayavar
Acharya Sri Ramanuja, Lords Sri Rama and Rajagopala, Sri Anjaneya, Sri Andal,
Mothers Rukmini and Satyabama and Lords Narasimha and Balasaranatha are in the
inner prakara of the temple.
This
is one of the oldest temples with a majestic rajagopruam of 120 feet height was
built by Nayak King Azhagiya Manavala Nayakar of Thanjavur. Nayakas were
fervent devotee of Lord Vishnu. The King who was ruled this city decided to
construct a grand temple for Lord Sri Rajagopalaswamy in Mannargudi. He ordered
to one of his chief officials Narasa Boopalan to carry out the work of Sri Mannargudi
Sri Rajagopalaswamy temple immediately. Narasa Boopalan was an ardent devotee
of Lord Saranatha, he was enthusiastic to renovate Lord Sri Saranatha temple in
Thirucherai too. While the work was in progress transporting stones and
materials required for the construction work, some of them were unloaded in
Thirucherai at the instruction of Narasa Boopathi. Suspecting this action, the
King carried out an unexpected visit to this temple. Narasa Boopathi
passionately prayed to Lord and to the utter surprise of the King could
visualize Lord Rajagopalaswamy before him in this sacred place. The most
delighted King allocated abundance of funds for the construction and renovation
of this temple.
The
legend has that Lord Brahma was instructed by Lord Sriman Narayana to preserve
the chronicles of creation and Veda before the entire world get cleaned out in
deluge. At the instruction of Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma started to create a
unique pot, but he was not succeeded at his task. Finally, Lord Brahma
helplessly approached Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma was advised to collect sands
from this sacred land and craft a pot. Thus, Lord Brahma crated a pot with this
mystic sand and preserved Vedas and tools of creation.
Another
legend has that River Ganga and River Cauvery had a heated argument about their
supremacy. River Ganga was very certain about that she is the superior amongst
all the rivers. River Ganga was originated from the feet of Lord Sriman
Narayana and was carried by Lord Shiva on his head. River Ganga and River Cauvery
approached Lord Brahma to get their disagreement sorted out. Lord Brahma
pronounced that River Ganga is the superior amongst all the rivers. River
Cauvery was deeply disappointed at this, Lord Brahma instructed her to undergo
penance praying to Lord Vishnu in this sacred land to get her status equal to
River Ganga. River Cauvery underwent severe penance praying to Lord Vishnu in
Thirucherai. Lord was pleased at the devotion of River Cauvery and blessed her
with equal status to River Ganga and affirmed her as one of the sacred rivers.
River Cauvery earnestly prayed to Lord to remain in this sacred land forever
with the appearance as Lord Saranatha.
The
temple is one among the 108 Divya Desas of Lord Perumal. This is the only
temple where Lord Perumal graces the devotees with five consorts – Sridevi,
Bhoodevi, Mahalakshmi, Saranayaki and Neeladevi. The soil of the place contains
high properties (Saram), hence Lord is called Saranathar and the place Tiru
Charam which later changed as Tirucherai.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Saranatha Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Sara Nayaki, Sri Pancha Lakshmi |
|
Theertham |
Sara Pushkarini Theertham |
BELIEF:
Devotees pray for
relief from the consequences of sins commited. It is believed that workshipping
saranatha perumal brings benefit of 100 baths in cavery.
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.
HOW
TO REACH:
Thirucherai
is situated 15 kms from Kumbakonam and 3km south of Nachiyar
Kovil in the District of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. All buses between
Kumbakonam and Tiruvarur run through this place.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Saranatha Perumal
Temple,
Tirucherai,
Thanjavur,
Tamil Nadu.
LOCATION:
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