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Line 30: − This holy and celebrated place is one of the ancient towns of India and a very important centre of Hindu pilgrimage. It is famous as a seat of learning, .culture, art and tradition. The temple is situated 200 kms. from Chennai. The sanctity of the temple stems from its holy head Aravamudha and the temple dates back to vedic times. The huge Sarangapani temple is in the centre of the town and all roads are so paved that they lead us to the shrine. It is the hub of spiritual life and prime attraction for every devotee of Narayana. From time immemorial highest veneration is extended to this holy shrine. Once ruled by pallavas, steeped in antiquity, the ancient town of Kumbakonam by the side of river Kaveri derives its name from its presiding deity Kumbeshwara. This city was earlier known as Kudamukku surrounded by a number of Vishnu and Shiva temples. This place is located between the two rivers, the Kaveri in the north and Arasalar in the south. It extends about two miles in length from North to South and one mile in breadth from east to west. + − + + + +
Structuring
Thiru Kudanthai is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples (divya deshas).
== Introduction ==
This holy and celebrated place is one of the ancient towns of India and a very important centre of Hindu pilgrimage. It is famous as a seat of learning, .culture, art and tradition. The temple is situated 200 kms. from Chennai. The sanctity of the temple stems from its holy head Aravamudha and the temple dates back to vedic times. The huge Sarangapani temple is in the centre of the town and all roads are so paved that they lead us to the shrine. It is the hub of spiritual life and prime attraction for every devotee of Narayana. From time immemorial highest veneration is extended to this holy shrine. Once ruled by pallavas, steeped in antiquity, the ancient town of Kumbakonam by the side of river Kaveri derives its name from its presiding deity Kumbeshwara. This city was earlier known as Kudamukku surrounded by a number of Vishnu and Shiva temples. This place is located between the two rivers, the Kaveri in the north and Arasalar in the south. It extends about two miles in length from North to South and one mile in breadth from east to west.
[[Category:Temples]]
[[Category:Temples]]
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|2 kms from Kumbakonam Town
|2 kms from Kumbakonam Town
|}
|}
== Structure ==
Sarangapani temple occupies a prominent position in the city of Kumbakonam and has provided solace to all for centuries. It is enclosed by stone walls and strengthened by pillars. The three prahar temple surrounded by the town and the busy market has an oonjalmandap, door panels, paintings, Garud shrine, Sheesh Mahal, etc.
Sarangapani temple occupies a prominent position in the city of Kumbakonam and has provided solace to all for centuries. It is enclosed by stone walls and strengthened by pillars. The three prahar temple surrounded by the town and the busy market has an oonjalmandap, door panels, paintings, Garud shrine, Sheesh Mahal, etc.
An imposing tall tower dominating the landscape is visible from a distance. 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 temple 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 main temple and the other shrines have jointly given the entire pilgrim centre a balanced architectural assemblage. The layout, design, colour and wooden carvings of the temple reflect the best traditions of Chola style. 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. The shikara presents a well-developed phase of Dravidian architecture. The carvings on the pillars on both sides are very elaborate and attractive. The style of the craftsman is very forceful and effective in the depiction of the puranic themes. A large number of cultural panels reflect the prolific Hindu deities in numerous aspects. Standing on par with Srirangam and Tirupathi, this DivyaDesa has a planned elevated fleet of steps at short distances. Brahmandapuran and Bhavishyapuran bring out its religious merit and prominence. Several puranic accounts focus on the importance of the shrine. This place is much venerated by its association with ThirumazhisaiAlwar, Nathamuni and Hema Maharishi. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Sarangapani and Lakshmi goes by the name Komalavallithayar. The much-hallowed kshetra is known as Bhaskarakshetra. The viman is known as Vaidhikaviman and the Pushkarni is named HemaPushkarni. The Lord is facing the east in a Sayana posture. It is said that the Lord gave darshan to Hema Maharishi. 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. Goddess Lakshmi is enshrined separately near the Uttarayana steps.
An imposing tall tower dominating the landscape is visible from a distance. 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 temple 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 main temple and the other shrines have jointly given the entire pilgrim centre a balanced architectural assemblage. The layout, design, colour and wooden carvings of the temple reflect the best traditions of Chola style. 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. The shikara presents a well-developed phase of Dravidian architecture. The carvings on the pillars on both sides are very elaborate and attractive. The style of the craftsman is very forceful and effective in the depiction of the puranic themes. A large number of cultural panels reflect the prolific Hindu deities in numerous aspects. Standing on par with Srirangam and Tirupathi, this DivyaDesa has a planned elevated fleet of steps at short distances.
== Legends ==
Brahmandapuran and Bhavishyapuran bring out its religious merit and prominence. Several puranic accounts focus on the importance of the shrine. This place is much venerated by its association with ThirumazhisaiAlwar, Nathamuni and Hema Maharishi. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Sarangapani and Lakshmi goes by the name Komalavallithayar. The much-hallowed kshetra is known as Bhaskarakshetra. The viman is known as Vaidhikaviman and the Pushkarni is named HemaPushkarni. The Lord is facing the east in a Sayana posture. It is said that the Lord gave darshan to Hema Maharishi. 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. Goddess Lakshmi is enshrined separately near the Uttarayana steps.
This temple is one of the PanchaRangaKshetras, the other four being, Adirangam (Mysore), Appalarangam (Thiruper), M adhyarangam (Srirangam) and Pancharangam of Indalur (Mayavaram).
This temple is one of the PanchaRangaKshetras, the other four being, Adirangam (Mysore), Appalarangam (Thiruper), M adhyarangam (Srirangam) and Pancharangam of Indalur (Mayavaram).