Difference between revisions of "Thiru Cherai"

From Dharmawiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Added table)
 
(7 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[Category:Temples]]
 
[[Category:Temples]]
Thiru Cherai is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples.
+
{{NeedCitation}}Thiru Cherai is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples located at a distance of 14 kms from Kumbakonam and 5 kms from NachiarKoil. Thirumangai Alwar has composed as many as 13 hymns on this punyakshetra.<ref name=":0">Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.</ref>
 +
 
 +
== Introduction ==
 +
Thiru cherai is named as Pancha Sara Kshetra. This is because the word Saara, meaning essence, is a prefix to everything here. Mahavishnu is Saaranathan, the goddess is known as Saaranayaki, the vimana is referred to as Saara Vimana, the pushkarni is called Saara Pushkarni and the kshetra itself is known as Saara Kshetra. The prefix Sara is attributed to the fact that the vedaagamasara was revived here by using the sacred soil from a pond. Hence, the pond came to be known as Sara Pushkarni and based on this the other names followed. Because the sthala has incorporated five divine elements, this place is known as Thiruccherai. 
 +
 
 +
Saaranatha Perumal here, is surrounded by Saaranayaki, Kaveri, Sridevi, Bhudevi and Neeladevi. He holds a padma in his right hand gives darshan with his five consorts as seen in Vaikuntha. The presence of five consorts is a unique feature unnoticed in any other Vaishnava temple. And Kaveri and Hanuman are said to be the guardians of this shrine.<ref name=":0" /> 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Thiru Cherai at a glance
+
|+Thiru Cherai at a glance<ref name=":0" />
 
|Vishnu here is referred to as
 
|Vishnu here is referred to as
 
|Saaranathan
 
|Saaranathan
Line 24: Line 29:
 
|14 kms from Kumbakonam
 
|14 kms from Kumbakonam
 
|}
 
|}
One such dazzling temple is Tiruccherai located at a distance of 14 kms. From Kumbakonam and 5 kms. From NachiarKoil. ThirumangaiAlwar has composed as many as 13 hymns on this punyakshetra.
 
 
A huge well-proportioned tower mounted by kalasams perched over the eastern gateway allures the visitor. The tower piercing the heavens to a height of 120 feet bears ample testimony to the Dravidian art. The temple occupying an area of 1.5 acres is embellished by a multitude of miniature sculptures and shrines. Sara Pushkarni of great fame is a lake of equal dimension situated outside the temple enclosure.
 
 
Situated in the centre of the village, the medium sized five tiered tower overlooking the temple tank greets one's eyes. At a short distance one has to cross a second tower of three tiers. This is fairly a big temple by any standards having separate shrines for Alwar, Yoga Narasimha, Rama, Ramanuja and ManavalaMamuni. Lakshrni is enshrined as Gajalakshmi. She is known as Sara PradhanaNavaki. This two prahara temple has a separate mirror room and vahana enclosure.
 
 
The word Saara, meaning essence is a prefix to everything here. The Lord here is Saaranathan, the goddess is known as Saaranayaki, the vimanam is SaaraVimanam and the pushkarni is SaaraPushkarni, the kshetram is known as SaaraKshetram. Therefore the place is rightly named Pancha Sara Kshetram. The prefix Sara isattributed to the fact that the vedaaghamasara was revived here by using the sacred soil from a pond. Hence the pond came to be known as Sarapushkarni. Here the Lord Saaranatha is surrounded by Saaranayaki, Cauvery Sri, Bhoo and Neeladevi. The presence of five consorts Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Saranayaki, Mahalakshmi and Niladevi is a unique feature unnoticed in any other Vaishnava temple. Cauvery is said to have been betrothed to the lord and has her own private shrine at Pushkarni. On the other side of the Pushkarni one can see the Hanuman mandir. Thus both Cauvery and Hanumanji at once become the guarding angels of the sacred shrine. Saranatha holds a padmam in his right hand. Because the sthala has incorporated five divine elements this place is known as Thiruccherai. The Lord pleased with their vapour of devotion appeared before Cauvery and Markandeya. He promised to be at Thirucherai permanently. Thai Pusam is celebrated in this temple in glory of Cauvery. In Vamana avatar the omnipotent Lord who created the vast universe vanquished Mahabali by pacing the three powerful steps. The theertha washing the sacred feet of Lord Vishnu descended on earth as gangamaiya. But Cauvery by her penance and prayers wanted to be sanctified as holier than Ganga. The primordial lord pleased with her devotion granted her wish at Thirucherai. Thus outside the temple, on the temple tank there is a private shrine for Cauvery. Even Alwars in their pasurams have echoed similar sentiments thus extolling the holiness of Cauvery.
 
 
The Lord gives darshan with his five Consorts as seen in Vaikuntham. The darshan of the Lord enriches Our spiritual flair and elevates our soul, To repeat, this is the place where Vedas were protected and preserved in a pot of mud during deluge. With the help of the Lord the fountainhead of Vedas Brahma was able to safeguard the Veda Agama Saram from the demons. Brahmandapuran and Bhavishvapuran give a graphic account of ThiruccheraiMahatmiya.
 
 
Rooted in the highest values of life.Markandeya Maharishi lived a life of true renunciation. He would not identify with the best or the worst of things that this world offered him. He faced the pangs of disease, decay and approaching death with fortitude and courage. But all along he maintained his serenity and objectivity in life. Thus spurning the worldly life he performed a penance at Thinichherai and obtained the highest grace. The image of Markandeya can be seen in the sanctum sanctorum.
 
 
Legend has that Satyakriti a Chola ruler was not blessed with a child for a long time. He came to Sara kshetra, had a bath at Sara pushkarni and propitiated Mahavishnu. By the grace of the Lord he was blessed with a beautiful child of glowing charm. The king in gratitude constructed a swarnavirnan over the sanctum and renovated the mandaps. He also fabricated many choultries for the pilgrim's comfort. Not satisfied with these offerings he donated half his kingdom for the maintenance of the temple.
 
  
Legend says that once Brahma adjudged Ganga to be the holy of the holy rivers. Dejected at this Cauvery went into severe penance. Pleased with her prayers Brahma gave her a status at par with Ganga. Not satisfied with this Cauvery reached Saarakshetra and prayed to Lord Saaranatha under the peepul tree on the banks of Sara pushkarni. Cauvery performed tapas for not less than 300 years. The Lord appeared as a child on a Thai Poosam. Seeing the glow of a thousand suns on the child's face Cauvery sighted the Lord. The Lord revealed Himself with conch and discus seated on Garud along with five devis. Cauvery prayed to the Lord to be enshrined at this kshetra and proclaim her as the greatest of all rivers. Symbolic of this boon to Cauvery there is an icon of Cauvery matha fondling a child on her lap. Thus on Thaipoosam the Lord is taken out in procession in the company of the five devis. The Lord also promised Cauvery that he would settle amidst her in tretha yuga at Srirangam.  
+
== Structure ==
 +
The temple of Thiru Cherai occupies an area of 1.5 acres. It has a huge well-proportioned tower with a height of almost 120 feet. The tower is mounted by kalasams perched over the eastern gateway that bears ample testimony to Dravidian art. It is embellished by a multitude of miniature sculptures and shrines. Situated in the centre of the village, the medium sized five tiered tower overlooks the temple tank. At a short distance, there is a second tower of three tiers. It is a temple with two praharas and has a separate mirror room and vahana enclosure. It is fairly a big temple having separate shrines for Alwar, Yoga Narasimha, Rama, Ramanuja and Manavala Mamuni. Lakshrni here, is enshrined as Gajalakshmi. And she is known as Sara Pradhana Navaki. Sara Pushkarni that is of great fame, is a lake of equal dimension situated outside the temple enclosure. It is said that River Kaveri was betrothed to Mahavishnu and has a separate shrine for herself at the Pushkarni. On the other side of the Pushkarni is the Hanuman mandir.<ref name=":0" />
  
It is said that once a barbaric hunter worshipped Lord Saranatha and obtained enlightenment.  
+
== Legends ==
 +
Brahmandapurana and Bhavishyapurana give a graphic account of Thiru chera Mahatmya.
 +
* It is said that, this is the place where [[The Four Vedas (चतुर्वेदाः)|Vedas]] were protected and preserved in a pot of mud during deluge. The Veda Agama Sara was safeguarded from the demons by Lord Brahma with the help of Mahavishnu.
 +
* Rooted in the highest values of life, Markandeya Maharishi lived a life of true renunciation. He would not identify with the best or the worst of things that this world offered him. He faced the pangs of disease, decay and approaching death with fortitude and courage. But all along he maintained his serenity and objectivity in life. Thus, spurning the worldly life he performed a penance at Thiru Cherai and obtained the highest grace. And in respect to this, the image of Markandeya Maharshi can be seen in the sanctum sanctorum in this temple.
 +
* According to another legend, Satyakriti, a Chola ruler, did not have a child for a long time. He came to Sara kshetra, had a bath at Sara pushkarni and propitiated Mahavishnu. And by the grace of Saranatha, he was blessed with a beautiful child of glowing charm. In gratitude, the King constructed a Svarna Vimana over the sanctum and renovated the mandapas. He also fabricated many choultries for the pilgrim's comfort. However, not satisfied with these offerings, he finally donated half his kingdom for the maintenance of the temple.
 +
* Legend says that once Brahma adjudged Ganga to be the holy of the holy rivers. Dejected at this, Kaveri went into severe penance. Pleased with her prayers Brahma gave her a status at par with Ganga. However, not satisfied with this either, Kaveri reached Saara kshetra and prayed to Lord Saaranatha under the peepul tree on the banks of Sara pushkarni. She performed tapas for not less than 300 years. At the end, Mahavishnu appeared as a child on a Thai Poosam. Seeing the glow of a thousand suns on the child's face, Kaveri recognised the lord and He revealed His true form with conch and discus seated on Garuda along with five devis. Kaveri then prayed to Saranatha to be enshrined at this kshetra and be proclaimed by Him as the greatest of all rivers. Symbolic of this boon to Kaveri, there is an icon of Kaveri mata fondling a child on her lap in this Kshetra. It is here that the Lord promised Kaveri that he would settle amidst her in treta yuga at [[Srirangam]]
 +
* It is said that once a barbaric hunter worshipped Lord Saranatha and obtained enlightenment.<ref name=":0" />
  
Also, a holy dip in Saarapushkarni when Jupiter is in Pushya, which occurs once in twelve years is held at par with Mahamaham of Kumbakonam.  
+
== Pujas and Festivals ==
 +
* As far as the Pujas are concerned, they are conducted six times a day as laid down in Pancharatra agamas. 
 +
* The annual Brahmotsavam is conducted in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb). 
 +
* On the day of Thai Pusam, a car festival is held symbolic of the Lord's descent from Vaikunta to bless Kaveri. It is celebrated in her glory where the Lord is taken out in procession in the company of the five devis. 
 +
* Also, a holy dip in Saarapushkarni when Jupiter is in Pushya, that occurs once in twelve years is held at par with Mahamaham of Kumbakonam.<ref name=":0" />
  
Pujas are conducted six times a day as laid down in Pancharatra agamas. The annual Brahmotsavam is conducted in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb). On the day of Pusya a car festival is held symbolic of the Lord's descent from Vaikunta to bless Cauvery.
+
== References ==
 +
<references />
 +
[[Category:Temples]]
 +
[[Category:Article needs attention]]

Latest revision as of 16:13, 18 December 2018

NeedCitation.png
This article needs appropriate citations and references.

Improvise this article by introducing references to reliable sources.

Thiru Cherai is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples located at a distance of 14 kms from Kumbakonam and 5 kms from NachiarKoil. Thirumangai Alwar has composed as many as 13 hymns on this punyakshetra.[1]

Introduction

Thiru cherai is named as Pancha Sara Kshetra. This is because the word Saara, meaning essence, is a prefix to everything here. Mahavishnu is Saaranathan, the goddess is known as Saaranayaki, the vimana is referred to as Saara Vimana, the pushkarni is called Saara Pushkarni and the kshetra itself is known as Saara Kshetra. The prefix Sara is attributed to the fact that the vedaagamasara was revived here by using the sacred soil from a pond. Hence, the pond came to be known as Sara Pushkarni and based on this the other names followed. Because the sthala has incorporated five divine elements, this place is known as Thiruccherai.

Saaranatha Perumal here, is surrounded by Saaranayaki, Kaveri, Sridevi, Bhudevi and Neeladevi. He holds a padma in his right hand gives darshan with his five consorts as seen in Vaikuntha. The presence of five consorts is a unique feature unnoticed in any other Vaishnava temple. And Kaveri and Hanuman are said to be the guardians of this shrine.[1]

Thiru Cherai at a glance[1]
Vishnu here is referred to as Saaranathan
Lakshmi here is referred to as Saaranayaki, Saaranachiar, Panchalakshmi
Kshetra is called Panchasaara Kshetra
Vimana is called Saara Vimana
Pushkarni is called Saara Pushkarni
Hymns Thirteen
Location 14 kms from Kumbakonam

Structure

The temple of Thiru Cherai occupies an area of 1.5 acres. It has a huge well-proportioned tower with a height of almost 120 feet. The tower is mounted by kalasams perched over the eastern gateway that bears ample testimony to Dravidian art. It is embellished by a multitude of miniature sculptures and shrines. Situated in the centre of the village, the medium sized five tiered tower overlooks the temple tank. At a short distance, there is a second tower of three tiers. It is a temple with two praharas and has a separate mirror room and vahana enclosure. It is fairly a big temple having separate shrines for Alwar, Yoga Narasimha, Rama, Ramanuja and Manavala Mamuni. Lakshrni here, is enshrined as Gajalakshmi. And she is known as Sara Pradhana Navaki. Sara Pushkarni that is of great fame, is a lake of equal dimension situated outside the temple enclosure. It is said that River Kaveri was betrothed to Mahavishnu and has a separate shrine for herself at the Pushkarni. On the other side of the Pushkarni is the Hanuman mandir.[1]

Legends

Brahmandapurana and Bhavishyapurana give a graphic account of Thiru chera Mahatmya.

  • It is said that, this is the place where Vedas were protected and preserved in a pot of mud during deluge. The Veda Agama Sara was safeguarded from the demons by Lord Brahma with the help of Mahavishnu.
  • Rooted in the highest values of life, Markandeya Maharishi lived a life of true renunciation. He would not identify with the best or the worst of things that this world offered him. He faced the pangs of disease, decay and approaching death with fortitude and courage. But all along he maintained his serenity and objectivity in life. Thus, spurning the worldly life he performed a penance at Thiru Cherai and obtained the highest grace. And in respect to this, the image of Markandeya Maharshi can be seen in the sanctum sanctorum in this temple.
  • According to another legend, Satyakriti, a Chola ruler, did not have a child for a long time. He came to Sara kshetra, had a bath at Sara pushkarni and propitiated Mahavishnu. And by the grace of Saranatha, he was blessed with a beautiful child of glowing charm. In gratitude, the King constructed a Svarna Vimana over the sanctum and renovated the mandapas. He also fabricated many choultries for the pilgrim's comfort. However, not satisfied with these offerings, he finally donated half his kingdom for the maintenance of the temple.
  • Legend says that once Brahma adjudged Ganga to be the holy of the holy rivers. Dejected at this, Kaveri went into severe penance. Pleased with her prayers Brahma gave her a status at par with Ganga. However, not satisfied with this either, Kaveri reached Saara kshetra and prayed to Lord Saaranatha under the peepul tree on the banks of Sara pushkarni. She performed tapas for not less than 300 years. At the end, Mahavishnu appeared as a child on a Thai Poosam. Seeing the glow of a thousand suns on the child's face, Kaveri recognised the lord and He revealed His true form with conch and discus seated on Garuda along with five devis. Kaveri then prayed to Saranatha to be enshrined at this kshetra and be proclaimed by Him as the greatest of all rivers. Symbolic of this boon to Kaveri, there is an icon of Kaveri mata fondling a child on her lap in this Kshetra. It is here that the Lord promised Kaveri that he would settle amidst her in treta yuga at Srirangam
  • It is said that once a barbaric hunter worshipped Lord Saranatha and obtained enlightenment.[1]

Pujas and Festivals

  • As far as the Pujas are concerned, they are conducted six times a day as laid down in Pancharatra agamas.
  • The annual Brahmotsavam is conducted in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb).
  • On the day of Thai Pusam, a car festival is held symbolic of the Lord's descent from Vaikunta to bless Kaveri. It is celebrated in her glory where the Lord is taken out in procession in the company of the five devis.
  • Also, a holy dip in Saarapushkarni when Jupiter is in Pushya, that occurs once in twelve years is held at par with Mahamaham of Kumbakonam.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Prof. S. Narayanan (April 2004), 108 Temples of Azhvars, Volume 1, Maharashtra: Sri Ramanuja Mission.