Tirucherai – Sri Saranathan Temple: The Pancha Sara Kshetram

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• November 26, 2025
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📍 Location & Access
• Location: Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.
• Proximity: Located 7 miles (approx. 11 km) from Kumbakonam and 3 miles from Nachiyar Kovil.
• Connectivity: Easily accessible by bus.
• Accommodation: Staying arrangements are well-furnished near the temple and in the surrounding towns.

📜 Sthala Puranam: The Essence of Creation (Sara Kshetram)
The Clay of Salvation
The Sthala Puranam explains why this place is known as Sara Kshetram (The Essence Shrine):
• During the time of the Maha Pralaya (the great dissolution of the world), Lord Brahma was deeply concerned about preserving the Vedas and the necessary tools for Srishti (creation).
• Lord Vishnu instructed Brahma to create a strong pot out of mud to safely store these vital elements.
• After attempting to use mud from various places, Brahma finally succeeded by using the sacred sand taken from Thirucherai.
• Because the place yielded the magical clay that saved the essence of creation, it became the reason for all living things to survive the dissolution, earning the name Sara Kshetram.
The Boon of Mother Cauvery
The river Cauvery (Kaveri) performed severe penance here, wishing to attain the same pious status as the holy River Ganges. Lord Vishnu granted her three major boons:

1. He would reside permanently in Thirucherai.
2. All beings residing in this place would attain His lotus feet (salvation).
3. She would be treated as pious as the Ganges.
   • Unique Gesture: To further elevate her status, Lord Vishnu accepted Cauvery as his own mother and famously crawled as a child in her hands on the day of Thai Poosam, confirming her status above all other rivers.
   The Minister’s Devotion (Temple Construction)
   The temple’s existence is attributed to the minister Narasa Boopalan during the time of the Vijayanagar empire’s rule in Tanjore.
   • Tasked by King Azhagiya Manavala Naicker to gather black stones for a Rajagopalaswamy temple in Mannargudi, Narasa Boopalan (a devotee of Saranathan Perumal) secretly diverted one stone from each cart to build a temple for Saranathan in Thirucherai overnight.
   • When the King came to inspect, the quick-witted minister added a shrine for Rajagopalaswamy to appease the King. Impressed by the speed and ingenuity, the King commanded the temple to be completed with royal funds

🔱 Temple Deities & Pancha Sara Glory
• Moolavar (Presiding Deity): Saranathan Perumal (The Lord who provides refuge/essence).
o Posture: Standing Position (Nindra Kolam).
o Direction: Facing the East.
o Prathyaksham (Appeared to): River Cauvery and Markandeya Maharishi.
• Thayaar (Consort): Sara Naayaki (also called Sara Naachiyaar).
• Vimanam (Temple Tower): Sara Vimaanam.
• Pushkarani (Holy Tank): Sara Pushkarani.
Pancha Sara (The Five Essences)
This title refers to the perfection and strength derived from the unity of all five elements:

1. Sthalam (Place): Sara Kshetram
2. Perumal (Lord): Saranathan
3. Thaayar (Goddess): Sara Naayaki
4. Pushkarani (Tank): Sara Pushkarani
5. Vimanam (Tower): Sara Vimaanam
   Inner Sanctum Details
   Saranathan Perumal blesses devotees alongside his five consorts: Sridevi, Boomidevi, Neeladevi, Mahalakshmi, and Sara Naayagi. To His right stand Markandeya Maharishi and Mother Cauvery.

✍️ Mangalasasanam & Sacred Rituals
• Alvar Praise: Thirumangai Alvar has performed Mangalasasanam, singing a total of 13 Paasurams.
• Special Utsavam: On every Thai Poosam day, Lord Saranatha, along with his five wives, is worshipped as a child in the arms of Mother Cauvery during a grand chariot procession.
• Unique Rama Darshan: The temple also offers a special darshan of Lord Sri Rama in his forest attire (vanavaasa kolam), accompanied by Sita, Lakshmana, and all the Alvars

📞 Plan Your Pilgrimage to Tirucherai – Sri Saranathan Temple (Pancha Sara Kshetram)- 097891 68001

For further information, including pilgrimage arrangements, travel plans, or pricing details, please contact “Rengha Holidays and Tourism.” 9443004141 https://renghaholidays.com/