Saranathan Temple / Sri Saranathan Perumal Temple / திருச்சேறை சாரநாதப்பெருமாள் கோயில் , Thirucherai, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

This Sri Saranathan temple at Thirucherai is the 17th Divya Desam of Maha Vishnu’s 108 Divya Desams and the 15^th Divya Desam of Chozha Nadu. Since the earth of this place was very fertile ( Saram ), hence called as Thirusaram, which has been 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 faces east with a 7-tier Rajagopuram and a 3-tier Rajagopuram is on the second level. Dwajasthambam and Balipeedam are after the 7-tier Rajagopuram. Garudan is after the 2^nd level Rajagopuram and in front of the 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 murtis are in front of the 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 the Pallava period 7^th to 8^th century CE and was reconstructed during the Chozha period and received contributions from Vijayanagaras / Thanjavur Nayaks and Marathas.  As per the 10^th Century Chozha period inscription this temple was called “Thirumuththirukkoyil – திருமுத்திருக்கோயில்”

The Chozha King Parakesari’s damaged inscription ( 10^th Century CE ) records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by Thanjavur Palace servant maid Paluran PoRRamarai. For the same 90 Sheep/ewes are received by the herdsman Idayan Vannakkan.

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 11^th 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 who agreed to carryout the endowment.

Parantaka Chozha –I’s 10^th 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 16^th -17^th Century granth inscription records as “Renthanayyangar’ thanmam- ரெத்னய்யங்காரின் தன்மம்”

Another 16^th – 17th-century Granth inscription records the donor's names as Vallal Ayyangar and his wife.

Another 16^th to 17^th Century inscription is recorded as “Nalla Vanan Sathasevai”- maybe the person who constructed the mukha mandapam.

Another 16^th-17^th 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 8^th to 9^th Century inscription on the Senai mudalvar Cheppu thirumeni’s peedam records the establishment of this idol and the construction of the 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 would be relieved after taking a bath in the Sara Pushkarani and worshipping Sri Saranathan of this temple. After the wishes are fulfilled the devotees offer thirumanjanam and new vasthram. Further, it is believed that worshipping Sri Saranathan of the temple will be equivalent to 100 times taking a bath in the river Kaveri.

It is believed that Viyazhan gave darshan to Kaveri, on the 10^th day of the Thaipusam festival ( Chariot procession ). Hence the devotees believed that it would be auspicious to take a bath in Sara pushkarani on the 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 a bath, considered 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 on 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 of 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 meantime, Narasaboobalan surrendered to Sri Saranathan to save him. The king visited the temple and found that 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 landline numbers +91 435-2468078  and  +91435-2468001 and the 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.

The nearest railway station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

The Visit to this temple was a part of the Divya Desam Temples Visit, near Thanjavur and Kumbakonam, organized by Culture Circuit.  Thanks to Mr Balakumaran. 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---