Saranatha Perumal Temple, Thirucherai – The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east with seven tiered Rajagopuram. The Rajagopuram is about 90 feet tall. The Temple is about 380 ft (115 m) long and 234 ft (72 m) wide. The temple has two prakarams and enclosed within compound walls. There is a three tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance of the inner prakaram. Dhwaja Sthambam and Balipeedam can be seen immediately after this Rajagopuram.

The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Garudazhwar can be seen facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Saranatha Perumal and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum. His idol is about 12 feet tall and is in standing posture. The stone image of River goddess Cauvery can be seen on the left side and the stone image of Sage Markandeya can be seen on the right side of the presiding deity.

River Goddess Cauvery is found to be in a maternal posture with a child in her lap. The festival deity is accompanied by Bhudevi, Sridevi and Neeladevi. A small idol of Santhana Krishna and Selvar are also housed in the sanctum. The vimana over the sanctum is called as Sara Vimanam. Mother is called as Sara Nayagi / Pancha Lakshmi / Sara Nachiyar. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated adjacent to the sanctum in Maha Mandapam.

The image of both the main idol and the festival image in the Thayar are depicted in seated posture. This temple is considered as only Divya Desam where Lord Vishnu is seen with his five consorts namely Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Neeladevi, Mahalakshmi and Sara Nayagi. There is marriage hall (Kalyana Mandapam) in the inner prakaram. There is a shrine for Rajagopala Swamy in this Mandapam. He is gracing the devotees along with his consorts Rukmini and Sathyabama.

Shrine of Srinivasa Perumal (Thiruvenkadamudaiyan) can be seen in front of Rajagopala Swamy Shrine. There is a separate shrine for Lord Rama in the temple premises. Lord Rama can be seen along with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana as he was found in forest for 14 years. There are separate shrines of Yoga Narasimha, Kaliyamardhana, Bala Saranatha, Andal, Senai Mudaliar, Ramanuja, Pillai Lokacharyar, Nammazhvar, Azhwars and Manavala Mamunigal in the temple premises. 

The temple tank, Sara Pushkarini, is situated in front of the temple. The size of the tank matches with the dimension of the temple. There are shrines for Sage Agasthya, Lord Brahma and Mother Cauvery on the western bank of Sara Pushkarini. The temple is one of the few places where there is a separate shrine for river Cauvery. There is a shrine of Hanuman from the west end and Vinayaka from the North eastern side of the temple tank.