Thirucherai Sivan Temple / Sara Parameswarar Temple, Tamilnadu:
The Sara Parameswarar Temple, also known as the Arulmigu Sara Parameswarar Temple, is a revered Hindu temple located in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Thirucherai is a village in the Kumbakonam taluk of Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here as “Sara Parameswarar.” The deity is believed to be an embodiment of divine grace and blessings, and devotees from various parts of the state and beyond come to seek his blessings and solace.
Thirucherai Sivan Temple History:
One of the 275 Sivasthalams, or sacred sites for Siva, is the Sara Parameswarar temple at Thirucherai, which is also the 95th Siva Sthalam on the southern bank of the Cauveri River in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). Siva’s primary deity is known as Sri Sara Parameswarar, and his consort is known as Sri Gnanavalli. In this temple, Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthi.
Rina Vimochana Lingeswarar, a manifestation of Lord Siva who frees his devotees from debt, is a blessing to this temple. Sage Markandeyar installed and worships a Sivalingam. When he worshiped Lord Siva in this location, he was absolved of the debts from his previous birth (poorva janma kadan). Additionally, he obtained moksham (salvation) here. The outside prakaram contains the Sri Rina Vimochana Lingeswarar. The deity is also known as Kadan Nivartheeshwarar (Kadan is debt and Nivartha is obtaining relief from, in Tamil). This is because the popular belief is that worshipping deity Shiva here helps improve the financial situation and be debt-free.
Three goddesses known as the Shiva Durga, Vaishnavi Durga, and Vishnu Durga are exclusively found in this one temple. With a unique chant, Saint Tirunavukkarasar lauded Bhairava (a common name for Shiva) in the temple. This is a version of Bhairava that is only seen at this temple, as evidenced by the tattoo on his left upper arm, trident, and bell.
Only leaves and white blooms will appear on the sacred tree Mavilangai during the first four months of the year, followed by four months with no growth at all. Our debts will be forgiven and prosperity will grow if we finish our prayer with abhishekam on the eleventh Monday, when a special offering called archana can be made. The solid conviction is that whatever kind of wealth one prays for—a happy marriage, children, wealth, etc.—will be granted by the divine. Ekadasam translates to Laabhasthaanam. For Lord Siva, Monday is a sacred day. And for that reason, 11 Mondays are required. The sun’s rays hit Lord Siva and Goddess Gnanambikai during Surya Puja on the 13th, 14th, and 15th days of the Tamil month Masi at roughly 06:30 a.m. Every year, Surya Puja is performed during this time.
The lord in this instance is sometimes referred to as Sri Senneriyappar. In Tamil, senneri, which means the right method, and appar, which means the lord, signify that the lord demonstrates the proper way to live to everyone.
On Mondays and Fridays, a great number of worshippers swarm this temple. Lord Suryan and Sage Thoumiya are said to have worshipped the Lord here.
Deities in The Temple:
Siva Durgai, Vishnu Durgai, and Vaishnavi Durgai are three of the goddess Durga’s idols that are present here. This is highly unusual, and it is regarded exceedingly lucky to worship the goddess here.
Saint Thirunavukkarasar honoured Lord Bhairavar of this shrine in his hymn. A trident and a bell are inscribed on the left arm of the idol of this Bhairavar, making it distinctive. Such a Bhairavar idol is unique and cannot be found anywhere else. In the koshtam, this Bhairavar is visible close to the statue of Lord Natarajar.
Thirucherai Temple Timings:
The opening time and closing timing of this temple is 07.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and from 04.30 PM to 08.30 PM.
Festivals at Sara Parameswarar Temple:
Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are:
Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept),
Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct),
Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov),
Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec),
Thiruvadhirai in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), and
Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).
Thirucherai Temple Address:
Sara Parameswarar Temple, Thirucherai, Tamil Nadu – 612605
Thirucherai sivan Temple contact number – +91 – 435-2468001.
Kumbakonam to Thirucherai Temple distance – 27 min (14.4 km) via SH 65
Mayiladuthurai to Thirucherai distance – 1 hr 10 min (42.2 km) via NH 136B
Places to visit in Kumbakonam:
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple
Airavatesvara Temple
Sarangapani Temple
Kampaheswarar Temple
Patteeswaram Temple
Sri Vittal Rukmini Samsthan
Thirucherai Sivan Temple Photos:
