Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam – Religious Significance

Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam – Religious Significance

Maha Maham Festival:

Shiva Temples:

Twelve famous Shiva temples in and around Kumbakonam participate in the famous Maha Maham festival during which Theerthavari happens in the Mahamaha Tank. This festival is celebrated once in 12 years in Kumbakonam.

These 12 Shiva temples are:

1. Kasi Viswanathar Temple, Kumbakonam

2. Aadhi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

3. Someswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

4. Nageswarar (Vilvavaneswarar) Temple, Kumbakonam

5. Kalahasteeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

6. Gauthameswarar (Upaveethanathar) Temple, Kumbakonam

7. Koteeswarar Temple, Kottaiyur

8. Sakkottai Amirthakalasa Nathar Temple, Kalayanallur

9. Banapureeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

10. Abhimukeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

11. Aadhi Kambatta Visvanathar Temple, Kumbakonam 

12. Ekambareswarar Temple, Kumbakonam

Of them 10 temples are in Kumbakonam. The processional deities of these temples come to this tank during festival days.

Vishnu Temples:

Also, 5 Vaishnava temples from Kumbakonam also participate in this festival. However, the Theerthavari happens in the river Kaveri instead of the Theerthavari in Mahamaha tank.

These Vaishnava temples are:

1.    Saarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam

2.    Chakrapani Temple, Kumbakonam

3.    Ramaswamy Temple, Kumbakonam

4.    Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Kumbakonam

5.    Aadhi Varaha Perumal Temple, Kumbakonam

Vaishnava Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu:

The temple is considered as one of the nine Vaishnava Navagraha temples of Tamil Nadu and is a part of the popular Navagraha pilgrimage in the state. This Temple is associated with the planet Sun (Suryan). The planets are believed to influence the horoscope computed based on time of one's birth and subsequently influence the course of life. Each of the planets are believed to move from a star to another during a predefined period and thus sway over an individual's fortunes.

The Navagrahas, as per Hindu customs, are believed to provide both good and bad effects for any individual and the bad effects are mitigated by prayers. As in other Navagraha temples, the common worship practices of the devotees include offering of cloth, grains, flowers and jewels specific to the planet deity. Lighting a set of lamps is also commonly followed in the temple. As per belief, the energies distributed cyclically by Navagrahas can be channeled based on remedial measures.

Vaishnava Navagraha Temples of Tamil Nadu are;

1. Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur (Suryan / Sun)

2. Thiru Nandipura Vinnagaram Temple, Nathan Kovil, Thanjavur (Chandran / Moon)

3. Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple, Nachiyar Koil, Thanjavur (Chevvai / Mars)

4. Valvil Rama Temple, Thirupullabhoothangudi, Thanjavur (Budhan / Mercury)

5. Andalukkum Aiyan Temple, Adhanur, Thanjavur (Guru / Jupiter)

6. Kolavilli Ramar Temple, Tiruvelliyangudi, Thanjavur (Sukran / Venus)

7.  Uppiliappan Temple, Tirunageswaram, Thanjavur (Sani / Saturn)

8. Gajendra Varadha Temple, Thirukkavithalam, Papanasam, Thanjavur (Rahu / North Node) 

9. Jakath Rakshaka Perumal Temple, Thirukkoodaloor, Thanjavur (Kethu / South Node)

10. Saranathan Temple, Thirucherai, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur (Mandhi / Kuligan)

Pancha Ranga Kshetrams:

Pancharanga Kshetrams (also called  as Pancharangams, meaning the five Rangams or Ranganathas) is a group of five sacred Hindu temples, dedicated to Ranganatha, a form of the Lord Vishnu, on the banks of Cauvery River. The five Pancharanga Kshetrams are:

·        Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna

·        Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam

·        Sarangapani Temple, Kumbakonam

·        Appakkudathaan Temple, Koviladi

·        Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple, Indhalur

Divya Desams:

The temple is revered in Divya Prabandham, the 7^th – 9^th century Vaishnava canon, by Andal in one, Periyalwar in three, Bhoothathalvar in two, Thirumazhisai Alvar in seven, Peyalvar in two, Nammalvar in eleven and Thirumangai Alvar in 25 verses. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, the 108 Vishnu temples that are revered in the Vaishnava canon, Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

Seven shrines featuring Vishnu in a reclining position:

Thirumazhisai Alwar refers to seven shrines featuring Vishnu in a reclining position in a Paasuram. These shrines are;

·        Tirukkudandai, 

·        Tiruvekkaa,

·        Tiruvallur, 

·        Thiruvarangam, 

·        Tiruppernagar, 

·        Anbil 

·        Tirupparkkadal 

No Swarga Vasal in this Temple:

Most of the Divya Desa temples have Swarga Vasal (Paramapada Vasal) open on the Vaikuntha Ekadasi day occurring in December-January. But there is no one such in this temple as Lord Vishnu came to this Divya Desa directly from his Vaikunda. The very worship of Perumal Lord Sarangapani would take devotees to salvation. It is also believed that passing through the Uttharayana and Dakshinayana entrances is no different from the Swarga Vasal passing. According to the system followed here, people enter the temple through the Uttharayana entrance from Thai to Aani (January-February to June-July) and through Dakshinayana entrance from Aadi to Margazhi month covering the English months July-August to December-January. As such only one gate is kept open to enter the temple. 

First preference to Mother:

Kumbakonam is the birth place of Mother Komalavalli. After the marriage Lord chose to stay here itself with his consort (i.e. in his mother-in-law’s house).  Hence, he is called as Veettodu Mappillai. Hence, Mother is dominant in the temple. The first worship goes to Mother only. As a philosophy, as Mother is first for all respects, to establish this rule, the way to Perumal shrine is also structured accordingly.  The Go Puja (puja to cow) is performed in Komalavalli Thayar shrine. Pujas to Lord are offered only then.

Most Important Vaishnavite Temples:

Sarangapani temple is considered third in the line of Srirangam and Tirupathy temples.