95. SRI SARAPARAMESWARAR TEMPLE AT THIRUCHERAI

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	212nd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Chola Naadu - South
Chola Naadu - South	95th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

HISTORY:

There are three famous “Rina Vimochana Lingeswarar” temples in the Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams. They are - Thiruvarur, Thirucherai (this temple) and Achalpuram. This temple is situated at the southern bank of the river Mudikondan, a tributary of the river Cauvery. There are two stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the period of Chola King Kulothungan. It is believed that this temple was built by him. This temple is also known as “Udayar Koil”.

Sri Senneriyappar:

The lord here is also praised as Sri Senneriyappar. This means that the lord shows everyone the righteous way of living (“senneri” means “right way” and “appar” meaning the lord in Tamil).

Sage Markandeyar:

Sage Markandeyar installed and worshiped a Shivalingam here. He prayed to Lord Shiva here and he was cleansed of the debts that he had accrued in his previous birth (“poorva janma kadan”). He also attained salvation (“moksham”) here.

Kadan Nivartheeswarar:

The Shivalingam of this temple is known as “Sri Rina Vimochana Lingeswarar” (the lord who gives relief from debt) and “Kadan Nivartheeswarar”.

Devotees throng to this temple on Mondays and Fridays in large numbers.

People who worshipped here:

Lord Suryan and Sage Thoumiya have worshiped the lord here.

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        This temple is very famous as a “Kadan Nivarthi Sthalam” (to remove indebtedness).

·        This east facing temple with main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.

·        There are three idols of Goddess Durgai here - Shiva Durgai, Vishnu Durgai and Vaishnavi Durgai. This is quite unique and worshiping the goddess here is considered very auspicious.

·        In his hymn, Saint Thirunavukkarasar praised Lord Bairavar of this temple. The idol of this Bairavar is unique because there is an inscription of a trident and a bell on the left arm of the lord. One cannot see such an idol of Bairavar anywhere else. This Bairavar can be seen next to the idol of Lord Natarajar in the koshtam.

·        It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy of this temple by directing his rays on them every year for three days during the morning hours on 13th, 14th and 15th in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb-Mar). Special poojas are performed during this period.

·        The Sthala Viruksham of this temple is Maavilangai. The peculiar aspect of this tree is that in a year, it will be full of leaves for 4 months, full of white coloured flowers for another 4 months and it be barren for the remaining 4 months.

·        This temple is considered to be significant for its three important attributes – Moorthy, Sthalam and Theertham - glory of Lord, sacredness of the land and the auspicious temple tank.

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Saraparameswarar, Sri Senneriyappar
Ambal	Sri Gnanambikai, Sri Gnanavalli Ammai
Theertham	Markandeya Theertham, Bindusudha Theertham, Gnana Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Mavilangai

BELIEF:

This is a famous Parihara Sthalam for those having significant debts. Devotees are required to perform special pooja to Sri Rina Vimochana Lingeswarar for 11 consecutive weeks to get relief from their debts and other related problems. These poojas are performed on Mondays and Fridays. Finally, on the 11th Monday or Friday, an “abhisheham” is performed to the lord.

Devotees also believe that by worshiping this lord here, they will be relieved of any sins that they might have accrued.

 

Devotees also believe that by worshiping the lord here, obstacles from their marriage proposals will be removed. This is also a parihara sthalam for performing poojas for “Santhana Prapthi” (child boon). 

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Aippasi	Oct–Nov	Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam
Karthikai	Nov-Dec	Thiru Karthikai
Markazhi	Dec-Jan	Thiruvadhirai
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

Thirucherai is situated at a distance of about 15 kms from Kumbakonam on the Kumbakonam - Nachiyar Koil - Kudavasal route. It is about 5 kms from Nachiyar koil and 4 kms from Kudavasal.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Saraparameswarar Temple,

Thirucherai,

Kumbakonam,

Tanjure,

Tamil Nadu – 612 605.

LOCATION: