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Line 1: − + − 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.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, + + + Line 40:
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[[Category:Temples]]
[[Category:Temples]]
Thiru Cherai is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples.
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.
== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
Thiru cherai is named as Pancha Sara Kshetram. This is because the word Saara, meaning essence, is a prefix to everything here. Mahavishnu here is Saaranathan, the goddess is known as Saaranayaki, the vimana is referred to as Saara Vimana, the pushkarni is called Saara Pushkarni and hence the kshetra 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. The presence of five consorts is a unique feature unnoticed in any other Vaishnava temple. River Kaveri is said to have been betrothed to Mahavishnu here, and has a separate shrine for herself at the Pushkarni. On the other side of the Pushkarni is the Hanuman mandir. Thus, both Kaveri and Hanuman are the guarding angels of this shrine. Saranatha holds a padma in his right hand. Thai Pusam is celebrated in this temple in glory of Kaveri. 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,
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Thiru Cherai at a glance
|+Thiru Cherai at a glance
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 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.
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. Not satisfied with this Kaveri reached Saarakshetra and prayed to Lord Saaranatha under the peepul tree on the banks of Sara pushkarni. Kaveri 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 Kaveri sighted the Lord. The Lord revealed Himself with conch and discus seated on Garud along with five devis. Kaveri prayed to the Lord to be enshrined at this kshetra and proclaim her as the greatest of all rivers. Symbolic of this boon to Kaveri there is an icon of Kaveri 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 Kaveri that he would settle amidst her in tretha yuga at Srirangam.
It is said that once a barbaric hunter worshipped Lord Saranatha and obtained enlightenment.
It is said that once a barbaric hunter worshipped Lord Saranatha and obtained enlightenment.
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.
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 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.
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 Kaveri.