Thirucherai Divyadesam - Saranatha Perumal Temple - One among the Pancha Sara Kshetrams. Saaranathan, Saara Nayagi, Saara Vimanam, Saara Theertham and Saara Kshetram, is located in Kumbakonam. Thirucherai is one of the oldest temples and believed that it was there in existence from Dwabara Yuga, with the Grand Raja Gopruam with 120 feet height. Thirucherai is the Only Divyadesam where Perumal is blessing as Pancha Lakshmi Natahan, with Five Goddesses. Lord Hanuman is blessing the devotees as Vara Prasadhi here. Saara Nachiyar and blessing with Padma Hastham instead of usual Abaya Hastham. Among 108 Divyadesams, Only here in Thirucherai Divyadesam, Rathotsavam is being celebrated on the Makara Pushyam Day.

The Legend of Thirucherai Divyadesam Sree Saranatha Perumal Temple

The Legened for the name Thirucherai - When time came to destroy the whole world and to finish the yugam, Lord Brahma was worried and appealed Lord Vishnu to guide him a way to keep the tools which are needed for Srishti again and all Vedas safely. By hearing the worries of Lord Brhama, the Almighty asked him to put all the tools those are required for a Srushti again in a strong mud pot. Lord Brahma started to create a unique pot, but all went in vain, the pots were broken and not strong enough to hold the Vedas. He was not succeeded at his task. Finally, Lord Brahma Devar with no other way approached Lord Maha Vishnu again, and he was advised to collect the sand from this sacred place Thirucherai to make a pot. Thus, Lord Brahma Devar crated a unique pot and preserved Vedas and tools for the creation. Hence as this place gave the magical mud which held a lead role and became the reason for all living things to live even after Pralaya is being called Sara Kshetram and Thirucherai. Thiru means Saint and Cheru means Sand in Tamil. Hanuman blesses as Vara Prasadhi here.

Almighty Blessed the Nayak King as Rajagopala Swamy here

One of the Nayak King Azhagiya Manavala Nayakkar of Thanjavur decided to construct a temple for Rajagopala Swamy in Mannargudi and he appointed one of his ministers Narasa Boopalan for that assignment. He was to get black stones from all possible places. Minister Narasa Boopalan was a great devotee of Saranatha Perumal at Thirucherai and wanted to build a temple for Him too. So he ordered to unload one stone from each cart, which passes Thirucherai. The King came to know this through one of his spy. The angered king came for an inspection. But before that in overnight Narasa Boopalan constructed this temple and to please the king he added a Sannathi - Sanctum Sanctorum for Rajagopala Swamy too and passionately prayed the to Almighty. To the big surprise, when the King came to the temple he could visualize Lord Rajagopalaswamy as blessing in Mannargudi before him in this sacred place. The most delighted King forgave his minister and also offerred the great quantity of funds for furher construction of this temple.

Almighty Blessed the Nayak King as Rajagopala Swamy here

Once River Ganges and River Cauvery had an argument about their supremacy. River Ganges was very certain about that she is the superior amongst all the rivers as she was originated from the feet of Lord Sreeman Narayanan and was also carried by Lord Shiva on his head. Both of them approached Lord Brahma Devar to get their disagreement sorted out. Lord Brahma decalred them that River Ganges is the Superior amongst All the Rivers. River Cauvery became upset, Lord Brahma instructed her to undergo a penance praying Lord Vishnu in this sacred place Thirucherai to get her status as equal to River Ganga. River Cauvery underwent a severe penance nearly for 3000 years praying towards the Almighty here in Thirucherai. Pleased with the Tapas made by Cauvery the Almighty crawled towards her as a child. To symbolize this event there is a Statue of River Cauvery with a Child on her Lap here. AS requested Almighty gave her His darshan with Sreedevi, Bhoodevi, Neeladevi, Mahalakshmi and Saranayagi here. and blessed her with equal status to River Ganga and affirmed her as one of the sacred rivers. Cauvery earnestly requested the Almighty to bless here forever as Lord Saranathan.

The Only Temple Where the Almighty Blessing with 5 Goddesses

Thirucherai is the One and Only Divya Desam where Lord Vishnu is blessing with five Goddesses. Lord Sree Rama gives the devotees a very special dharshan here along with Sita Devi and Lakshmanan, all Azhwars and Sri Rama's kolam, posing as he was found in forest. Instead of the regular Abhaya Hastham, Perumal here poses a Padma Hastham. Out of 108 Sree Vaishnava Sthalams, only in this Kshethram, Rathotsavam is being celebrated on the Makara Pushyam Day. Thai Poosham in tune with the day on which Almighty gave darshan to Cauvery. There are sanctums for Sreenivasan, Sree Andal, Yoga Narasimhar, Hanuman and Cauvery. Lord Hanuman is blessing the devotees as Vara Prasadhi here