This
Sri Saranathan temple at Thirucherai is 17th Divya Desam of Maha Vishnu’s 108 Divya
Desams and 15th Divya Desam of Chozha Nadu. Since the earth of this
place was very fertile ( Saram ), hence called as Thirusaram, which has got
corrupted to the present name of Thirucherai. This is also a mukthi sthalam of
Markandeyar. ( Bhudevi one of Saranathan’s consort was the daughter of Markandeyar
).
Mangalasasanam
was done by Thirumangai Alwar, in Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
1578.
கண் சோர வெம் குருதி வந்தழிய
வெம் தழல்போல் கூந்தலாளை
மண் சேர முலை உண்ட மா மதலாய் !
வானவர்தம் கோவே! என்று
விண் சேரும் இளந் திங்கள் அகடுரிஞ்சு
மணி மாடம் மல்கு செல்வத்
தண் சேறை எம் பெருமான் தாள் தொழுவார்
காண்மின் என் தலைமேலாரே
1579.
அம் புருவ வரி நெடுங் கண் அலர்மகளை
வரை அகலத்து அமர்ந்து மல்லல்
கொம்பு உருவ விளங்கனிமேலிளங் கன்று
கொண்டு எறிந்த கூத்தர் போலாம்
வம்பு அலரும் தண் சோலை வண் சேறை
வான் உந்து கோயில் மேய
எம் பெருமான் தாள் தொழுவாரெப்பொழுதும்
என் மனத்தே இருக்கின்றாரே
…. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்
Moolavar : Sri Saranathan
Thayar : Sri Saranayaki
Some
of the salient features of this temple are ….
The
Temple is facing east with a 7 tier Rajagopuram and 3 tier Rajagopuram is on the
second level. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam are after the 7 tier Rajagopuram. Garudan is after the 2nd level Rajagopuram and in front of mandapam. Moolavar is in standing posture with 5 Consorts
Sri Devi, Bhudevi, Maha Lakshmi ( on the chest ), Saranayaki and Neela Devi. Kaveri
and Markandeyar are also in the sanctum
sanctorum.
In
the inner praharam Bala Saranathan,
Narasimhar, Sri Rajagopalan, Sathyabama, Rukmani, Andal, Ramar with
Anjaneya, Srinivasa Perumal,
Koorathazhwan, Udayavar, Nammalvar and Alwars.
Thayar
Saranayagi is in a separate sannidhi facing east. Thayar is in sitting posture
with abhaya varada hastam. Utsava murthis are in front of Main deity.
Kaveri,
Brahma and Agasthiyar are also in separate sannidhis on the west side banks of Sara
Pushkarani.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha
mandapam. A 2 tier brick vesara Vimana is above the adi talam. Stucco images
of Maha Vishnu’s various forms are on the Vimana tala and greeva kostam. The
Vimanam is called as Sara Vimanam.
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONS
The
original temple belongs to Pallava period 7th to 8th
century CE and reconstructed during Chozha period and received contributions
from Vijayanagaras / Thanjavur Nayaks and Maratas. As per
the 10th Century Chozha period inscription this temple was called as
“Thirumuththirukkoyil –
திருமுத்திருக்கோயில்”
The
Chozha King Parakesari’s damaged inscription ( 10th Century CE )
records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Thanjavur Palace servant
maid Paluran PoRRamarai. For the same 90 Sheeps are received by the herdsman
Idayan Vannakkan.
Rajendra
Chozha-I’s 11th Century, an incomplete inscription records his
meikeerthi.
Vijayaraghava bhubalan
period inscription records the endowment of Vastharam, Thirumanjanam etc by
Govindadasan of Gangadharanallur, for the same a land measuring 3 and 8 ma land
was gifted. In addition, a land of ½ (
10 ma ) was also gifted for the Alwar Shrine. The land was received by Sugundam
Appangar and agreed to carryout the endowment.
Parantaka
Chozha –I’s 10th reign year damaged inscription records the
endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a Kiramangalamudaiyan, a resident of
Kiramangalam. For the same sava moova peradu / sheep was gifted to this
temple.
A
16th -17th Century granth inscription records as “Renthanayyangar’
thanmam- ரெத்னய்யங்காரின்
தன்மம்”
Another 16th – 17th century
granth inscription records the donor names as Vallal Ayyangar and his wife.
Another
16th to 17th Century inscription records as “Nalla Vanan
Sathasevai”- may be the person constructed the mukha mandapam.
Another 16th-17th Century
Nayaka period inscription on the Amman sannidhi records some endowment by
Rayasam Narasappayyar’s son in law.
The 13th Century fragment inscription on
the Tank mandapa’s step records some donations to this temple. Similar 8
fragment inscriptions are found in the temple.
An 8th to 9th Century
inscription on the Senai mudalvar Cheppu thirumeni’s peedam records the establishment
of this idol and construction of
Circumambulatory / praharam wall, by Narayana Dasan.
Ref
1. South
Indian Inscriptions volume 26. Inscriptions 653, 654 and 655.
2. South
Indian inscriptions Volume XIX, inscription No 251.
3. குடந்தைக் கல்வெட்டுகள்
– 118-127
LEGENDS
Devotees
believed that, their sins will be relieved after taking bath in the Sara
Pushkarani and worshipping Sri Saranathan of this temple. After the wishes are
fulfilled the devotees offer thirumanjanam and new vasthram. And further it is believed
that, worshipping Sri Saranathan of temple will be equivalent to 100 times
taking bath in the river Kaveri.
It
is believed that Viyazhan gave darshan to Kaveri, 10th day of
Thaipusam festival ( Chariot procession ). Hence the devotees believed that it
will be auspicious to take bath in Sara pushkarani on Thai month Poosam nakshatra day. This will be equivalent to Mahamaham, which occurs once in 12
Years.
In
another legend Kaveri did a penance on maha Vishnu for a boon, of equivalent
status like Ganga ( since devotees take bath, considering as holy river ),
under a peepal tree on the west banks of
Sara Pushkarani. Maha Vishnu appeared as a child on her lap. But Kaveri insisted for the equal status like Ganga. Again Maha Vishnu gave darshan with his 5 consorts on Garudan.
Satisfied with the Darshan, Kaveri requested Maha Vishnu to stay in this temple
with his 5 consorts. Maha Vishnu as Saranathan is with his 5 consorts in the
sanctum sanctorum.
In
another legend the Nayaka King sent stones for the thirupani to Mannargudi
Rajagopalan’s temple, through this place. Without the King’s knowledge,
Narasaboobalan, the person in-charge for shifting the stones took one stone from
each vehicle for this temple. When this was known to the king, the king came to
this temple. In the mean time Narasaboobalan surrendered to Sri Saranathan to
save him. The king visited the temple and found Moolavar Saranathan gave
darshan in the form of Mannargudi Rajagopalan. The King was happy and pardoned
Narasaboobalan.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Thai Poosam festival, which
is a unique festival in this Maha Vishnu temple.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The
temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00
hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
The
land line number +91 435-2468078
and +91435-2468001 and mobile
number +91 9444104374, may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH
Tirucherai
is on the bus route from Nachiyar koil to Kudavasal.
The
temple is about 5 KM from Nachiyar Koil, 11 KM from Thirunageswaram, 13 KM from
Kumbakonam and 50 KM from Thanjavur.
Nearest
railway station is Kumbakonam.
LOCATION OF THE
TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
The
Visit to this temple was a part of Divya Desam Temples Visit , near Thanjavur
and Kumbakonam, organized by Culture Cuircuit.
Thanks to Mr Balakumaran.
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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