Sarangapani Temple Kumbakonam:
The Sarangapani Temple, also known as Thirukudanthai or Kumbakonam Koyil, is a Hindu temple in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India, that is devoted to Vishnu. Among the 108 temples of Vishnu that the 12 poet saints, also known as Alvars, venerate in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, it is one of the Divya Desams. This sarangapani temple, one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams, is located along Kaveri.
The sarangapani temple is one of the Pancha Kshethrams, where Maharishi Bhrigu’s daughter Bhargavi, the goddess Lakshmi, was born. Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Sundararaja Perumal Temple in Salem, Oppiliappan Temple, and Nachiyar Koil are the other four temples that make up the Pancha Kshethram.
Sarangapani Temple History:
The temple’s earliest known epigraphical evidence comes from the late Chola era (10th–12th century). The expansion of the temple’s building by the Vijayanagara and Nayaka monarchs (15–17th centuries) gave it significance; their patronage marked a change from the Cholas’ focus in supporting Shaivite temples in Kumbakonam. During this time, the temple was one of Kumbakonam’s three principal Vaishnava temples, along with the more recent Ramaswamy Temple and Chakrapani Temple. Reconstruction during the Chola and Vijayanagara periods destroyed the old shrine. During the 17th-century Nayaka era, the temple was linked to a Vaishnava matha, or monastic establishment.
Kumbakonam’s greatest Vishnu temple, Sarangapani, boasts the town’s tallest temple tower. All of the temple’s water features, with the exception of the Potramarai tank, are housed within the complex, which is enclosed by a massive wall. Eleven layers make up the main entryway, the rajagopuram, which is 173 feet high. The temple also contains five smaller gopurams. Figures at the Rajagopuram illustrate a variety of religious tales. Outside the western entrance is the Potramarai tank, and the temple faces east. The temple’s central shrine is shaped like a chariot pulled by horses and elephants, with holes on either side that depict Sarangapani descending from heaven in the chariot.
In the western section of the temple, there is a sculpture of the sage Hemarishi.The sanctuary, the main shrine, is reached through a hall with 100 pillars. Dwaraplakas facing the outer gate defend the inner sanctum, which is shaped like a chariot. There is a perforated window axial to the sanctuary from the exterior entrance. The figure of Sarangapani in pallikonda posture, with his head resting on his right hand, is housed in the temple’s central shrine. The sanctum is also home to other images of the festival deities Lakshmi and Hemarishi. The sanctuary has two stepped entrances, Utharayana Vaasal and Dhakshanayana Vaasal, which are both open for business six months in advance.
Sarangapani Temple Timings:
The timings of sarangapani temple is 6:00 am – 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Tiruvanandal – 8:00 AM
Kala Santhi – 9:00 AM
Uchikalam – 12:30 PM
Ntiyanusandhanam – 6:00 PM
Irandamkalam – 7:30 PM
Ardha Jamam – 9:00 PM
Legend of Sarangapani Temple:
According to Hindu mythology, a sage named Hemarishi practiced penance in the bank of the Potramarai tank after the Vaishnava deity Sarangapani, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, appeared for him. The sage Bhrigu once desired to meet Vishnu at the Ocean of Milk, where he lived. The sage kicked Vishnu on the chest out of rage after failing to catch Vishnu’s attention. Vishnu did not express his rage at the guru, which infuriated Lakshmi, who lives in his breast. After departing from Vaikuntha, she arrived on Earth and assumed the shape of Padmavati. Vishnu married her after following her. When Padmavati regained her memories, she continued to be upset with Vishnu. Vishnu lived in the temple’s subterranean chamber as Pathala Srinivasa to appease her.Meanwhile, the sage Bhrigu asked him to apologize and asked that Lakshmi be born to him as Komalavalli in his subsequent incarnation. The sage, who was born as Hemarishi, attained Lakshmi as his daughter by penance. The penance delighted Vishnu, who wished the sage luck in obtaining Lakshmi as his daughter. Lakshmi was called Komalavalli (the one who emerged from lotus) as she emerged from the Potramarai tank surrounded by thousands of lotuses. From his home at Vaikuntha, Vishnu rode down to earth as Aravamudhan in a chariot pulled by elephants and horses. He persuaded Lakshmi to marry him by staying at the adjacent Someswaran Temple, and the two eventually tied the knot.The Sanskrit words Sharanga, which refers to Vishnu’s bow, and pani, which means hand, are the origins of the name Sarangapani, which means “one who has the bow in his hand.
Sarangapani Temple Location:
Valayapettai Agraharam, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu 612001
Festivals celebrated at Sarangapani Temple Kumbakonam:
Akshaya Tritiyai – 12 Garuda Sevai Chaitra Brahma Utsavam celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April – May), Vasantotsavam during Vaikasi (May – June), Pavitrotsavam – Ekadasi Jyeshotsavam during Adi(July – August), Sri Jayanthi – Uriyadi Utsavam during Avani (August – September), Navaratri Utsavam – Saraswathi Puja – Vijayadasami during Purattasi (September – October), Deepavali – Shraddha of Sri Lakshmi Narayanaswami during Aippasi (October – November), Deepa Utsavam – Unjal Utsavam during Karthigai (November – December), Pakal Pattu – Ira Pattu Pongal Sankaramana Utsavam during Margazhi (December – January), Kanu Utsavam – Amavasya – Ratha Saptami during Thai (January – February), Masi Magaham – Float Festival during Masi (February – March) and Brahmmotsavam – Tirukkalyanotsavam during Panguni (March – April) are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
How to reach Sarangapani Temple:
Kumbakonam Bus Terminal is 2 kilometers from Sarangapani Temple. .Temple is close to the bus station. Numerous buses are available to get to this temple.
Kumbakonam to Sarangapani Temple distance – 5 min (1.1 km) via Manthai – Karuppur Main
Rd/Thanjavur – Kumbakonam Main Rd
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple to Sarangapani Temple distance – 2 min (550.0 m) via Manthai – Karuppur Main Rd/Thanjavur – Kumbakonam Main Rd/Thanjavur Main Rd
distance from chennai to Sarangapani Temple distance – 6 hr 4 min (293.8 km) via NH 179B
Sarangapani Temple to Oppiliappan Temple distance – 19 min (8.4 km) via Kumbakonam – Karaikkal Main Rd/Manthai – Karuppur Main Rd
Sarangapani Temple to Chakrapani Temple distance – 4 min (1.0 km) via TSR Big St
Sarangapani temple to kumbeswarar temple distance – 4 min (900.0 m) via Manthai – Karuppur Main Rd/Thanjavur – Kumbakonam Main Rd/Thanjavur Main Rd
Sarangapani Temple Images:
