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Location:
Kumbhakonam
(Chola Naadu)
Vishnu: Sarangapani, Pallikondaar
Taayaar: Komalavalli
Theertham:Hema Pushkarini, Kaveri, Arisilaru
Paasuram :Periyalwar, Andal, Tirumazhisaialwar,
Tirumangaialwar, Bhootattalwar, Peyalwar, Nammalwar
Vimaanam:Vaidika Vimanam
Travel Base: Thanjavur
Description: This celebrated Vaishnava
Divya Desam is located in the temple town of Kumbhakonam or Kudandai.
The Pancharanga Kshetrams along the course of
the Kaveri are Srirangapatnam (Karnataka), Srirangam,
Koyiladi (Anbil) and Kumbhakonam and
Indalur (Mayiladuturai).
Also located in Kumbhakonam
are the Kumbheswarar temple, the Nageswarar temple
and the Kudandaikkaronam Shivastalams. Also in Kudandai
is the Ramaswamy temple, full of rich and elaborate sculptures, dating
back to the seventeenth century.
Legend
has it that there was a deluge after the Dwapara Yugam; a pot of nectar
and the seeds of creation were placed in a pot (kudam) and set adrift
in the deluge. The drifting pot settled at Kumbhakonam; and Shiva as Kiratamurthy,
bearing a bow pierced the pot with an arrow, and spilt the nectar which
flowed all over. The bulk of it flowed into what is now the Mahamagam
tank. It is believed that all river Goddesses live in this tank. It is
believed that the remnants of the nectar were mixed with sand, and the
Shiva lingam representing Aadi Kumbheswarar was created out of it. The
Mahamagam tank is a scene of great festivity once in 12 years, in the
month of Aquarius, when the moon and the planet jupiter align themselves
in the zodiac signs of Leo. Hundreds of thousands congregate then
to have a sacred bath, when the festival image of Shiva from the Kumbheswarar
temple is taken in procession to this tank on a silver rishabha vaahanam.
Legend
also has it Bhrigu muni entered Vaikuntham; and out of arrogance kicked
Vishnu on his chest, at having not been recognized and welcomed. Lakshmi
left for the earth and settled on the banks of the Kumbhakonam tank. Bhrigu
muni was reborn as Hema Rishi, and offered penance; Lakshmi was reborn
as his daughter, in the Mahamagam lotus tank, and he offered her in marriage
to Sarangapani. Vishnu, bears the sarangam bow in his hand.
On the banks of the
Mahamagam tank, are several mandapams built by Govinda Deekshitar (a minister
of the Nayaks of Madurai who is also credited with building the Ramaswamy
temple here at Kumbhakonam), for the reception of deities during festivals.
The Temple:
The Sarangapani temple is of great religious significance, considered
to be second only to the SriRangam temple. The Vaideeka
Vimanam of this temple is considered to be an offshoot of the Sreerangam
Pranava vimanam, and a replica of the vimanam presented to Vibhishana
of Sri Lanka by Rama. It, is conceived of, as a chariot with wheels drawn
by horses and elephants, in a scale grander than that of the Melakkadambur
temple built by Kulottungal (early 12th century).
This vimanam has two
gateways (as in Tiruvellarai), the northern gate, or
the Uttarayana vaasal, open on Makara Sankaranti, and the Dakshinayana
Vaayil, opened on Aadi perukku, the 18th day of the tamil month of Aadi.
The earliest of the Alwars Peyalwar and Bhutattalwar have sung of this
temple. So have Periyalwar, Andal and Tirumangai Alwar (8th century).
Tirumazhisai Alwar spent his last years and attained salvation here. Nammalwar
has also sung of this temple. It is at this temple that the Vaishnavite
savant Nada Muni, was inspired to compile the works of the Alwars, upon
listening to the tamil hymn 'Aaravamude' composed by Nammalwar. Nadamuni
spent his last years at the Chola capital of Gangaikonda Choleeswaram.
Although the temple
existed during the Pallava period, the current structure is attributable
to the period of Vikrama Chola (1121 onwards). Later Cholas built the
superstructure of the 11 tiered gopuram, and the tower was actually completed
by the Vijayanagar rulers. The tower is about 140 feet in height. There
are sculptures depicting the Bharata Natya karanas, as enunciated in the
Natya Sastram - on the first tier of the Gopuram, in contrast to other
temples (such as Chidambaram) where they are seen on
walls.
Deities:
The moolavar here is Pallikondaar, while the processional deity is Sarangapani,
with his consort Komalavalli.
Festivals:
Six worship services are offered each day. The first day of Uttarayanam
witnesses the silver chariot procession. Bhramotsavam is celebrated in
Thai and Chittirai, and Vasantotsavam in Vaikasi. Also celebrated are
the Pavitrotsavam in Ani, Navaratri, Pankuni Uttiram, Maasi Magam, and
the Dolotsavam in Margazhi. The grand float festival is conducted in the
Hema Pushkarini in front of the temple. There are colorful festivals held
here and at the Chakrapani temple in Kumbhakonam. The Chittiraitter procession
of the Sarangapani temple is of great significance.
Tirumazhisai Alwar
refers to seven shrines featuring Vishnu in a reclining position - Tirukkudandai,
Tiruvegkaa, Tiruvallur, Tiruvarangam,
Tiruppernagar, Anbil and Tirupparkadal
in a paasuram.
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