Thirukkudanthai | Sri Sarangapani temple | Kumbakonam | divya desam - 12

Moolavar : Sarangapani, Aravamudhan

Amman / Thayar : Komalavalli

Theertham : Hemavalli Pushkarini, Cauvery and Arisil Rivers

Old year : 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name : Tirukudandhai

City : Kumbakonam

District : Thanjavur

State : Tamil Nadu

Temple History:

Sage Brugu came to Vaikunda to test the patience and tolerance quality of Lord Vishnu by hitting on His chest.  Lord did not prevent the sage nor grew angry against him. But simply smiled.  Mother Lakshmi asked the Lord how He could allow other male to touch Her also while hitting Him as the chest of Lord is Her home.  The sage fell at the feet of Mother Lakshmi and said that he was given the job of finding a God so soft in nature for conducting a Yagna to whom it was to be dedicated.  I hit Lord for this test and meant no motives.  He also begged Mother that she should be born his daughter.  Mother Lakshmi happily blessed the sage.  She promised the sage to leave Lord for him and advised him to take on penance to realize his wish.   The sage performed penance in Kumbakonam and found Mother on the Hema Pushkarini Theertha on a Lotus.  He took the child and named Her Komalavalli.  He gave his daughter to Perumal in a grand wedding.  Perumal came to wed Mother holding a bow-Sarnga, hence is praised as Lord Sarangapani.  The place, thus is revered as the Avatara Sthala-birth place of Mother Komalavalli-Lakshmi.

Temple's Speciality:

Lord Sarangapani blesses the devotees in His reclining form under the Vaideeka Vimana – tower above the sanctum sanctorum. This is one of the 108 Divya Desas of Lord Vishnu.

Festival

Chithirai Utsav in April-May; Thai Sankaraman Utsav in January-February; Vaikasi Vasantha Utsav in May-June; Masi float festival in February-March, Margazhi Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January are the important festivals celebrated in the temple.

General Information

Lord graces from the sanctum sanctorum along with Mother Koamalavalli daughter of Sage Hemarishi and Mother Mahalakshmi.  Lord Brahmma is above His naval and Sun on the head side.  The sculptures of Narasimha Avatar are beautifully set around the sanctum sanctorum.  As Lord came here in a Rath to wed Mother, the temple is constructed in the shape of a rath.  The two entrances of the Rahth is called Dakshinayana and Uthirayana.  The wheels of the Rath are of giant size.  Beautiful sculptures adore the surrounding walls. The Rajagopurams of the temples of Tamilnadu are noted for their height.  Srirangam tower is 236 feet tall and that of Srivilliputhur is 165 feet.  Kumbakonam Lord Sarangapani temple is the third 11 tier 150 feet tall.  The car-rath of the temple also is famous for its high artistic beauty – called Chithira Ther.  Saint Tirumangai Azhwar calls this as Rathabandham.

Opening Time
The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 and from 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Address

Sri Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam – 612 001, Thanjavur district.

Phone : +91-435 - 243 0349, 94435 - 24529.

Location :
The temple is at the heart of Kumbakonam linked by rail and road from all corners of state.

Near By Railway Station :
Kumbakonam