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Sri Saranathan Perumal Temple

Sri Saranatha Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple located in the village of Tirucherai near Kodavasal in the Tiruvarur district. The presiding deity is Lord Vishnu, who is known as “Saranathan.” This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the sacred abodes of Vishnu. Here, Lord Vishnu is seen with five Goddesses: Sridevi, Boomidevi, Neela Devi, Mahalakshmi, and Sara Naayagi, bestowing His heartfelt blessings upon devotees.

Timings

Morning : 6.00 PM 11.00 PM & Evening : 5.00 PM to 8.00 PM

Entry Fee

No entry fee is charged

According to the scriptures, during the great deluge (Pralaya), Lord Brahma took the soil from this sacred place, fashioned it into a pot, and used it to safeguard the Vedas.

Mother Cauvery, seeking to be honoured with the status of the Holy Ganga, which is revered for washing away the sins of those who bathe in its waters, performed penance under the Bodhi tree on the western bank of the Sara Pushkarini. Pleased with her devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared as a small child and crawled onto Cauvery’s lap.

Cauvery, however, desired more than just this boon. She requested that Lord Vishnu remain in this place in His divine form along with His five consorts. In response, Lord Vishnu granted her request, appearing with His consorts. He also made a space for Cauvery in the Sanctum Sanctorum, to His left, which devotees can still see today.


Sthala Purana :


The Saranathan Temple, located in Thirucherai, a village near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped here as Saranathan, with his consort Lakshmi as Saranayaki. This temple is celebrated in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD, and is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu.

This is the only temple where Lord Perumal blesses devotees alongside his five consorts—Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Mahalakshmi, Saranayaki, and Neeladevi. The name "Saranathan" comes from the fertile nature of the soil here, known as "Saram," and the place name, Tiru Charam, later evolved into Tirucherai.

According to legend, during the Pralaya (the great deluge), Lord Brahma took soil from this place, crafted a pot, and placed the Vedas in it for safekeeping. River goddess Cauvery performed penance under the Bodhi tree on the western bank of Sara Pushkarini, seeking a status equal to that of the Holy Ganga, known for washing away sins.

Pleased with her devotion, Lord Perumal appeared as a child on Cauvery's lap. When Cauvery requested that He remain in that form, Perumal, along with his five consorts, granted her wish and also granted her a place in the sanctum sanctorum to his left, which is still visible to devotees.

Another legend speaks of King Azhagia Manavala Naicken, who sent stones for the renovation of the Mannargudi Sri Rajagopalaswamy temple. The carts carrying these stones passed through Thirucherai, and a devotee named Narasabhupalan took one stone from each cart for the renovation of the Saranathan Temple. When the king discovered this, he came to investigate. However, Perumal appeared before the king as Lord Rajagopalaswami, and the king, moved by the divine vision, ordered renovations for the Saranathan Temple as well.

Devotees believe that praying at this temple can absolve them of sins, offering benefits equivalent to 100 baths in the River Cauvery. Lord Saranathan grants darshan in a standing posture facing east. The temple also has shrines dedicated to Sage Agastya, Lord Brahma, and Mother Cauvery on the western bank of Sara Pushkarini, opposite the main temple.


Legends :



Devotees believe that bathing in the Sara Pushkarani and worshipping Sri Saranathan at this temple absolves them of sins. After their wishes are fulfilled, they offer Thirumanjanam (a ritual bath) and new garments to the deity. It is said that worshipping Sri Saranathan here is equivalent to bathing in the River Kaveri a hundred times.

Another legend tells that Vyazhan (Jupiter) gave darshan to River Kaveri on the 10th day of the Thaipusam festival during the chariot procession. Devotees believe that bathing in the Sara Pushkarani on the Poosam nakshatra day in the month of Thai is as auspicious as participating in the Mahamaham festival, which occurs once every 12 years.

In another tale, River Kaveri performed penance under a peepal tree on the western bank of Sara Pushkarani, seeking a status equal to that of the Ganga. Lord Vishnu first appeared as a child on her lap, but Kaveri insisted on her request. Vishnu then appeared with His five consorts on Garuda, granting her wish. Satisfied, Kaveri requested Vishnu to remain in the temple with His consorts, and thus, He resides as Saranathan with His five consorts in the sanctum sanctorum.

In a different legend, a Nayaka king sent stones through this region for the construction of the Mannargudi Rajagopalan temple. Unbeknownst to the king, Narasaboobalan, the person in charge of transporting the stones, took one stone from each vehicle for the construction of this temple. When the king discovered this, he visited the temple. Narasaboobalan, fearing the king's wrath, prayed to Sri Saranathan for protection. When the king arrived, he was astonished to see Saranathan appearing as Mannargudi Rajagopalan and, pleased with the sight, pardoned Narasaboobalan.

Do's and Don'ts

  1. Pray to Your Ishta Devata: Before embarking on your pilgrimage, offer prayers to your chosen deity for guidance and blessings.
  2. Contact Temple Information Center: Reach out to the Temple Devasthanam for inquiries, information, and details about rituals and poojas.
  3. Reserve Travel and Accommodation: Book your travel and lodging well in advance to ensure a smooth visit.
  4. Bathed and Wear Clean Clothes: Clean yourself and dress in neat clothes before entering the temple.
  5. Focus on the Divine: Concentrate on the God and Goddess while inside the temple, maintaining a spiritual mindset.
  6. Maintain Silence and Recite Mantras: Observe silence and quietly recite your personal mantras while within the temple.
  7. Follow Customs and Traditions: Adhere to the traditional practices and customs of the temple.
  8. Respect Religious Sentiments: Show respect for the religious practices and sentiments observed at the temple.
  9. Deposit Offerings in the Hundi: Place your offerings in the designated hundi, following the temple's procedure.
  1. Avoid Non-Worship Visits: Do not visit the temple for reasons other than worshipping the deity.
  2. No Smoking: Smoking is prohibited within the temple premises.
  3. No Alcohol Consumption: Alcoholic beverages are not allowed inside the temple.
  4. No Non-Vegetarian Food: Refrain from consuming non-vegetarian food in the temple area.
  5. Avoid Mediators for Quick Darshan: Do not seek shortcuts for darshan as it may disrupt others.
  6. No Weapons: Carrying weapons into the temple is strictly forbidden.
  7. No Headgear: Remove any headgear such as helmets, caps, turbans, or hats before entering the temple.
  8. No Sastang Pranam in Sanctum: Do not perform Sastanga Pranama (full prostration) inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
  9. No Prolonged Sparsa Darshanam: Keep your time during Sparsa Darshanam (touching the deity) brief to avoid congestion.
  10. Avoid Buying Spurious Prasadam’s: Only purchase prasadam’s from authorised vendors; avoid street vendors.
  11. No Encouragement for Beggars: Refrain from giving to beggars within the temple grounds.
  12. No Spitting or Nuisance: Maintain cleanliness and avoid creating disturbances in the temple premises.

Dress Code

For Men: Wear traditional attire such as dhoti or kurta with a clean, well-maintained look. Avoid wearing jeans, shorts, and T-shirts.

For Women: Dress in traditional attire like saree, salwar kameez, or a modest dress. Avoid wearing revealing or casual clothing.

How to reach

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By Air: The nearest airport is Trichy International Airport, located about 110 kilometres from the temple. From there, you can take road transport to reach the temple.

By Railway: Kumbakonam town is well-served by trains, with the railway station just 13 kilometres from the temple.

By Roadways: The temple is accessible by buses, private taxis, and autos, providing good road connectivity from Kumbakonam and surrounding areas.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

Rivers :

  1. Cauvery River: A major sacred river in southern India, flowing through Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It is considered holy, and bathing in its waters is believed to purify sins.


Cities :

  1. Thanjavur: Located in Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur is renowned for its historic temples and rich cultural heritage. The Saranathan Temple is situated in this region, contributing to its spiritual significance.
  2. Kumbakonam: Known for its numerous temples and festivals, Kumbakonam is a nearby city where the Mahamaham festival takes place. It is often linked with the sacred Cauvery River.