Location: Tirucherai
(Udaiyar Koil) near Kumbakonam
(Chola Naadu)
Vishnu: Saranathan
Taayaar: Sara Nayaki
Theertham:Saara Pushkarini
Paasuram :Tirumangaialwar
Vimaanam:Saara Vimanam
Travel Base:Thanjavur
Description: This Divyadesam is located
in Tirucherai, near 4km north Kodavasal and 15 km south
of Kumbhakonam. In this town, is also the Tirucherai
Shivastalam, enshrining Gnana Parameswarar (Senneriappar), glorified
by the Tevaram hymns of Sambandar and Appar.
Deities:
The Moolavar here is Saranathan, in a standing posture facing east; Taayaar
is known by the name Saranayaki.
Legends:
Vishnu here is believed to have been worshipped by Markandeya and Kaveriamman.
At the Tirucherai Shivastalam, it is believed that Shiva
was worshipped by Kaveri and Markandeya. Legend also has it that during
the time of the great deluge, a pot fashioned out of clay, was used to
rescue and preserve the Vedas. It is believed that none of the pots made
by Bhrama would last, and that he was directed by Vishnu to proceed to
Tirucherai (Saara Kshetram) and make a pot out of the clay on the banks
of the Kaveri.
This temple
with 2 prakarams has a 90 feet high Rajagopuram. There is a shrine to
Yoga Narasimhar here. Shrines to Lakshmi are in the Mahamandapam. There
are also shrines to Rajagopala with his consorts and to Tiruvenkatamudaiyaan
and the Alwars.Legend has it that this temple was built with a part
of the granite meant for building the Rajagopala temple at Manargudi,
and hence the shrine to Rajagopala here. There are shrines to Kaveriamman
and Anjaneyar near the temple tank.
Festivals:
Six worship services are offered each day here. The grand chariot festival
happens on Taippoosam, in the Tamil month of Thai, when Saranathan is
taken in procession in a chariot with Sree Devi, Bhu Devi, Neelaa Devi,
Mahalakshmi and Saranayaki.
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