Sri Sarangapani Temple, Tirukkudandai

TamilNadu, Thanjavur, Chennai

Sarangapani Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, is housed between two rivers, Kaveri and Arasalaaru, in the heart of Kumbakonam, once the capital of the Chola Kingdom in Tamil Nadu, India. Sarangapani Temple is one of the Divya Desams (108 most significant temples of Lord Vishnu in South india). This temple is one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams of Lord Ranaganatha. Some parts of the temple is believed to have been built in the 7th Century AD by the famous Pallava King Mahendra Varma but the real construction of the temple is said to have been done by the Cholas and later renovated by the famous Vijayanagara King Krishnadevaraya.

Legend

According to the legends, Lord Vishnu appeared in front of Sage Hema Rishi, who performed penance in the bank of Potramarai tank. On asking about the wish, Sage Hema Rishi told that he wanted Lord Lakshmi as his daughter. Lord Vishnu granted the wish of Sage Hema Rishi. Lakshmi emerged from the Potramarai tank among thousand lotuses and was thus named Komalavalli (the one who emerged from lotus).Vishnu descended to earth as Aravamudhan in a chariot drawn by horses and elephants from his abode Vaikuntam. He stayed in the nearby Someswaran Temple to woo Lakshmi to marry him and the couple eventually got married.The name Sarangapani ("one who has the bow in his hand") derives from the Sanskrit word Sarangam meaning bow of Vishnu and pani meaning hand.

This temple is part of the famous Kumbakonam Divyadesam Yatra.

Architecture

Sarangapani temple is built in Dravidian architecture style. It is the largest Vishnu temple in Kumbakonam. Before the Sri Rangam Temple gopuram (tower) was built, this temple used to hold the place for the tallest Temple Tower in South Asia. The temple is enshrined within a huge wall and the complex enshrines all the water bodies of the temple except the Potramarai tank. The Rajagopuram (the main gateway) has eleven tiers and has a height of 173 ft (53 m). The Potramarai tank, the temple tank, is located opposite to the western entrance of the temple. The rajagopuram has figures depicting various religious stories. The central shrine of the temple is in the form of a chariot drawn by horses and elephants, with openings on either side, showing the descent of Sarangapani from heaven in the chariot. Lord Sarangapani blesses the devotees in his reclining form under the Vaideeka Vimana - tower above the sanctum sanctorum. There is no Paramapadavasal to the temple. The Uttarayana and Dakshinayana are the two gateways of this temple.The one in the north will be open from 14th January to 15th July and the one in the south from 15th July to 14th January. So it is indeed meritorious to enter through either of these two gateways for worshipping the Lord.

Picture Courtesy : commons.wikimedia.org

Darsan Info

The temple is open from 7.00 AM to 12.00 PM and from 5.00 PM to 9.00 PM

Darsan Dresscode

Male devotees have been advised to wear dhoti, shirt, pyjama or pant and shirt while women and girls should wear saris or churidhar or 'pavadai' with half-sari. Devotees wearing lungi, bermudas, jeans and tight-leggings would not be allowed.

Famous Festival

Thai Sankaraman Utsav in January-February
Masi float festival in February-March
Chithirai Utsav in April-May
Vaikasi Vasantha Utsav in May-June
Margazhi Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January
The temple chariot festival durimg the Tamil month of Chittirai (March-April)

Culture

Kumbakonam is a temple town at 40 km from Thanjavur and base town to visit large number of temples including Navagraha temples. Kumbakonam is one of the few places in India, which has a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. It is where the festival of Mahamaham is celebrated every 12 years at the Mahamaham tank.Kumbakonam and area around are home to many experiential stays that offer guests an experience in Authentic heritage, culture and cuisine.