Changes

== Structure ==

== Structure ==

Sarangapani temple occupies a prominent position in the city of Kumbakonam. It covers an area of over 3 acres and has one gopura and two praharas which is then surrounded by the town and the busy market. The temple with oonjal mandapa, door panels, paintings, Garuda shrine, Sheesh Mahal, etc is noted for its excellent sculpture which includes royal procession, dancing damsels, hunting scenes and devas in a infinite variety of poses and postures. The carvings on the pillars on both sides are very elaborate and the style of the craftsman is very effective in the depiction of the puranic themes. Thenclosed by stone walls and strengthened by pillars. However, the imposing tall tower dominating the landscape is visible even from a distance. It stands on a base of 30 mtrs x 18 mtrs. While the temple itself measures 90 feet by 51 feet at the base. It has eleven tiers and there are steps to reach the top tier from where one can have a panoramic view of the entire town. Also, the shikhara presents a well-developed phase of Dravidian architecture. 

Sarangapani temple occupies a prominent position in the city of Kumbakonam. It covers an area of over 3 acres and has one gopura and two praharas which is then surrounded by the town and the busy market. The temple with oonjal mandapa, door panels, paintings, Garuda shrine, Sheesh Mahal, etc is noted for its excellent sculpture which includes royal procession, dancing damsels, hunting scenes and devas in infinite variety of poses and postures. The carvings on the pillars on both sides are very elaborate and the style of the craftsman is very effective in the depiction of the puranic themes. However, though closed by stone walls and strengthened by pillars, the imposing tall tower dominating the landscape is visible even from a distance. It stands on a base of 30 mtrs x 18 mtrs. While the temple itself measures 90 feet by 51 feet at the base. It has eleven tiers and there are steps to reach the top tier from where one can have a panoramic view of the entire town. Infact, the temple has a planned elevated fleet of steps at short distances. Also, the shikhara presents a well-developed phase of Dravidian architecture.   

 

Infact, the temple Standing on par with Srirangam and Tirupathi, this Divya Desha has a planned elevated fleet of steps at short distances.   

The temple has two separate entrances - one in the south and one in the north with nine steps each which is symbolic of the nine steps leading to Moksha. The southern entrance is used during Dakshinayana (approx. January to July) and the northern side entrance is used during Uttarayana (approx. July to January). The Dakshinayana entrance is known as the doorway to marriage as Lord Sarngapani came out of this corridor after his marriage to Komalavalli.   

The temple has two separate entrances - one in the south and one in the north with nine steps each which is symbolic of the nine steps leading to Moksha. The southern entrance is used during Dakshinayana (approx. January to July) and the northern side entrance is used during Uttarayana (approx. July to January). The Dakshinayana entrance is known as the doorway to marriage as Lord Sarngapani came out of this corridor after his marriage to Komalavalli.   

The sanctum and the front mandapa are designed to look like a chariot on wheels and horses. The front Mandapa called Thiru Mamani Mandapa is of the Nayak style and is supported by 12 pillars. Mahavishnu here wields a bow called Sarnga and therefore he is known as Sarngapani. He is in the Shayana posture facing the east flanked by Bhudevi and Sridevi. And Brahma is seen rising from his navel. Hemarishi, Saptharishis, Kaveri and Devas are also seen paying homage. This is a Ubhaya Pradhana Desha where both the presiding and processional deities are given equal importance. Goddess Lakshmi as Komalavalli is enshrined separately in a sanctum near the Uttarayana steps. There is a Pottramarai (the Golden Lotus tank) behind the temple that measures 361 feet by 285 feet and is known as Lakshmi teertha and Amudavani. The tank also has a mandapa with sixteen pillars right in its midst.   

The sanctum and the front mandapa are designed to look like a chariot on wheels and horses. The front mandapa called Thiru Mamani Mandapa is of the Nayaka style and is supported by 12 pillars. Mahavishnu here wields a bow called Sarnga and therefore he is known as Sarngapani. He is in the Shayana posture facing the east flanked by Bhudevi and Sridevi. And Brahma is seen rising from his navel. Hemarishi, Saptharishis, Kaveri and Devas are also seen paying homage. This is a Ubhaya Pradhana Desha where both the presiding and processional deities are given equal importance. Goddess Lakshmi as Komalavalli is enshrined separately in a sanctum near the Uttarayana steps. There is a Pottramarai (the Golden Lotus tank) behind the temple that measures 361 feet by 285 feet and is known as Lakshmi teertha and Amudavani. The tank also has a mandapa with sixteen pillars right in its midst.   

 

 

Thus the concept of the temple complex is very mature architecturally and is the synthesis of town planning and urban design concepts. The temple presents an austere image to a visitor today but one has to imagine it in the ever-flowering colourful environment enriched by distant past. Inside the sanctum the atmosphere is calm and serene and darkness adding to its sublime glory. This serenity in the sanctum is the most remarkable feature of the shrine.  

Talking about the grandeur of the temple and its architecture, Prof. S. Narayanan says, <blockquote>''"It is one of the most impressive structures remarkable for its ornamentation and rhythmic harmony. Its elegant construction and gigantic proportion are truly remarkable.The main temple and the other shrines have jointly given the entire pilgrim center a balanced architectural assemblage. The layout, design, colour and wooden carvings of the temple reflect the best traditions of Chola style. Whereas, inside the sanctum the atmosphere is calm and serene, darkness adding to its sublime glory. And it is this serenity in the sanctum that is the most remarkable feature of the shrine."''</blockquote>

== Legends ==

== Legends ==