This temple is situated at Thirucherai which is on the Kumbhakonam-Nachiyar Kovil road at a distance of 15 kms from Kumbhakonam, is also at a distance of 5 kms from Kudavasal and 27 kms from Thiruvarur. This is on the southern bank of river Mudikondan which is a tributary of Kaveri. This is Padal Petra Sthalam revered by Shaiva Saint Sambandhar and Thirunavukkarasar (Appar). The original temple existed even before the 7th century which makes the present structure more than 1500 years old. The structure was reconstructed during the period of Chola King Kulothunga I in the 11th century. There are stone inscriptions in the temple which give the details of the King's association with the renovation of the temple. This temple is also known as Udayarkovil. This place was earlier known as Thirusaram (Saram means holy place with highest qualities). Later the place changed to Thirucharam and finally to Thirucherai. The name of the Lord is Thiru Sennariappar where Sennari means in Tamil righteousness or just. It means he is the Lord who is righteous and just.
Moolavar: Shri Saraparameshwarar, Shri Sennariappar
Devi: Shri Dnyanambika, Shri Dnyana-Valli-Ammai
Sacred Vruksha: Barna (also known as Garlic pear) tree / Vayvarna / 3 leafed casper
Sacred Theertha: Markandeya Theertha, Bindusudha Theertha, Dnyana Theertha
Puranik Name: Udayar kovil
Present Name: Thirucherai
Kshetra Puran:
1. Surya pooja – According to the Kshetra Puran, Lord Surya worshiped Lord Shiva at a number of places for the sin he committed by participating in Daksha Yagnya. It is believed that, as an atonement, every year, on the 13th, 14th, 15th day of Masi he worships the Shiva linga and feet of Goddess Parvati. Hence Surya pooja is performed on those 3 days. Similarly, the Surya Pooja also takes place at Thirukandiyur in the evening.
2. According to the Kshetra Puran, Lord Shiva leads one towards righteousness (In Tamil Sennari means righteousness). Hence Lord Shiva is addressed here as Lord Sennariappar. And this place was known as Thirusaram (In Tamil Saram means holy place). Hence Lord Shiva is also addressed as Lord Saraparameshwarar.
3. According to the Sthala Puran, Sage Markandeya installed the Shiva Linga at this place. He worshiped Lord Shiva to clear his karma (debts) which he had accumulated from previous births. As desired by him, Lord Shiva cleared his debts and hence he became Chiranjivee. Hence Lord Shiva is known as Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar. It is believed that Sage Markandeya attained salvation at this place.
4. According to the Kshetra Puran, Sage Dhaumya (Guru of Kunti devi) worshiped Lord Shiva at this place and attained mukti. In fact he was the one who gave the idea to the Pandavas to escape from the burning Lac palace.
Those who worshipped here:
Lord Surya, Sage Dhaumya, Sage Markandeya, Shaiva Saint Appar, Shaiva Saint Sambandhar, River Kaveri.
Salient Features:
1. This is one of the three Runa Vimochana Lingeshwarar temples. The others are at Thiruvarur and Achalpuram.
2. Locally this place is known as Udayarkovil.
3. It is very rare to have 3 Durga idols in one temple.
4. Lord Brahma’s idol has unique features.
5. Lord Surya worships Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for 3 days i.e. 13th, 14th and 15th day of Tamil month Masi (Feb-March). The rays of Sun fall on the feet of Goddess Parvati and on Shiva Linga.
6. The Kshetra Vruksha has peculiar features.
7. In the Durga shrine, Rahu Kaal worship is done by lighting lamps.
About the temple:
This is an east facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram and has 2 parikramas. It is spread over about 1.5 acres. The Swayambhu Shiva Linga is large and faces the East. Immediately after the Rajagopuram, we come across Nandi, Balipeeth and Dhwajasthambha facing the Sanctum. There is another three tiered Gopuram after the Nandi. Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardhamandap and Mahamandap. The Sanctum is shaped like a Shiva linga.
Koshta Murti: Lord Nardana Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lord Bhairav, Lord Nataraja, Lord Chandikeshawar, Lord Bramha, Goddess Shivadurga and Goddess Vishnudurga. This may be the only temple which has 3 Durgas.
Lord Bramha’s shrine is adjacent to Lord Nataraja’s shrine. Lord Bramha appears with a tattoo on left upper arm with a trident and a bell. Shaiva Saint Appar sang a sacred hymn on Lord Bramha. He describes him as Lord Shiva himself. Special worship is done on Ashtami in this temple. On Saturdays he is garlanded with a Vadaa-mala similar to the tradition in south where they garland Lord Hanuman.
In the shrine of Lord Chandikeshwar, we come across 2 idols of Lord Chandikeshwar. Goddess Ambika is in an East facing shrine to the left of the Sanctum in the outer prakaram.
In western prakaram we have the shrine of Lord Shiva as Runa (Kadan in Tamil) Vimochana Lingeshwarar. So the Lord is known as Kadan-Nivrutti Eshwarar. This was installed by Sage Markandeya. Near this shrine we come across the shrines of Lord Vinayaka, Sage Markandeya and Lord Balasubramanya.
Besides these we come across the shrines of Lord Vinayaka, Lord Jwarahareshwarar, Lord Kaalabhairav, Goddess Gajalakshmi, Lord Nataraja, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Rishabhaarudhar (Lord Shiva on Rishabh i.e. Nandi), Sapta Matrikas, Shaiva Saint Naalvar, Vaayulinga, Goddess Jyeshthadevi, Lord Surya, Lord Kaalishwarar, Lord Shanishwar and Navagraha in the parikrama.
The Sthala Vruksha is a very unique tree known as Mavilangai in Tamil (Garlic casper in English, Vayvaruna in Marathi). This tree has leaves only for 4 months and has white flowers for 4 months. For the last 4 months, it has been barren. Its bark has very high medical value.
Prayers:
1. Devotees worship Lord Bhairav on Asthami by garlanding him with Vadaa-Mala and performing Archana and Abhishek. They believe that by doing this worship, they will win the court cases and will get rid of Navagraha dosha, since Lord Bramha is the Prarthana Moorti at this place.
2. Worship of Goddess Durga during Rahu Kaal is considered to be very auspicious. Devotees light lamps in all the 3 Goddess Durga shrines during Rahu Kaal.
3. Devotees who have Surya dosha in their horoscope come to this place in large numbers for Surya worship on 13th, 14th and 15th of Tamil month Masi. They believe by worshiping on these days there will be relief from Surya dosha.
4. Devotees worship Runa Vimochan Lingeshwarar for removal of Pitru Runa, Rishi Runa and Devata Runa. They also worship him, for removal of debts related to material and wealth. For this purpose they perform special Archana and Abhishek for 11 Mondays. They believe by doing this, they will get wealth, education and their illness and diseases will be eradicated.
Poojas: Besides regular pooja, Pradosh poojas are performed regularly.
Festivals:
Aani (June-July): Thirumanjanam
Aadi (July-Aug): Festival on Purva Ashadha Nakshatra
Aavani (Aug-Sept): Ganesh Chaturthi
Purattasi (Sept-Oct): Navaratri
Aipassi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek, Skandha Shashti
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thirukarthigai Deepam
Margazhi (Dec-Jan): Ten days of Bramhotsav, Thiruvathirai
Maasi (Feb-March): MahaShivaratri
Temple timings: 7 to 12 pm; 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Temple address:
Shri Saraparameshwarar temple,
At Post - Thirucherai,
Taluka: Kumbhakonam,
Tamil Nadu 621605
Phone: +91-4352468001
Temple Priest: Shri Sundarmoorti Gurakkal Ph +91-4352467759, +91-9442637759, +91-9443737759
Courtesy: Various websites and blogs
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