Sara Parameswarar Temple,
Thirucherai – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. This Temple covers an area of about 1.5 acres with two prakarams. Nandi, Balipeedam and Dhwaja Sthambam can be seen immediately after Rajagopuram, facing sanctum. There is another Rajagopuram with three tiers after Nandi. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Saraparameswarar / Senneriyappar and is facing east.
He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The ray of Sun falls on the presiding deity Lord Sara Parameswarar and on the feet of the Mother during the morning hours on 13th, 14th and 15th of Masi month (February-March). Surya Pooja is performed on these days. Special pujas are performed in the temple during the whole Masi month in the morning hours.
Nardana Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Bhairava, Nataraja, Chandrasekara, Brahma, Shiva Durga, Vaishnavi Durga and Vishnu Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls. This is the only temple where three Durgas, Shiva Durga, Vaishnavi Durga and Vishnu Durga grace the devotees from the Koshta. Lamp worship is followed in this shrine during the Rahukalam time (90 minutes in each day will be Rahukalam).
Bhairava can be seen next to Nataraja in the Koshta. Bhairava appears here with a tattoo on his left upper arm with a trident and bell, a depiction only in this temple. Saint Thirunavukkarasar has sung the grace of Bhairava of this temple in his Thevaram hymn. The song describes Bhairava as Lord Shiva himself. Special poojas are offered to him on Ashtami days. This Shrine is one of the few Bhairava shrines where he is adorned with Vada Malai (similar to Hanuman).
Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. It houses two idols of Chandikeswarar. Mother is called as Gnanambigai / Gnanavalli. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum in the outer prakaram. Alankara Mandapam can be found in the first prakaram. There is a separate shrine for Rina Vimochana Lingeswarar / Kadan Nivartheeswarar (Lord Shiva who relieves from debt) in western prakaram. It is said that Sage Markandeya installed this Linga.
It is a general belief that worshipping Rina Vimochana Lingeswarar in this temple helps improve the financial status and be debt-free. It is believed that a special offering called archana can be made on 11 consecutive Mondays and by completing our prayer with performing abhishekam on the 11th Monday, our debts will be cleared, and prosperity will flourish. The deity will bestow whatever form of wealth one prays for (good married life, children, education, wealth etc.) is the firm belief.
Shrines for Vinayaka, Markandeya and Balasubramanya can be seen near Rina Vimochana Lingeswarar Shrine. There are shrines for Vinayaga, Jurakeswarar, Kala Bhairavar, Gaja Lakshmi, Nataraja, Maha Lakshmi, Idaparoodar (where Lord Shiva sits on Nandi) Amirthakadeswarar, Abhirami Amman, Mrikandu Maharishi, Saptha Kannigais, Nalvars, Bala Subramanya, Vayu Lingam, Jyestha Devi, Surya, Kaaleeswarar, Nagas, Navagrahas and Saneeswarar in the temple premises.
The holy tree Mavilangai has only leaves during the first four months of the year, only white flowers during the next four months and with none of these during the remaining four months of the year. Theerthams associated with this temple are Markandeya Theertham, Bindu Sudha Theertham and Gnana Theertham. Bindu Sudha Theertham is in the form of a well within the temple premises. It is believed that this well was formed when a drop of nectar fell here. Gnana Theertham tank is situated opposite to the temple. Markandeya Theertham is the Theppa Kulam.
