108 Divya Desams !! Thirukudanthai – Sri Sarangapani Perumal Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Thirukudanthai is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu situated in the midst of the two rivers Cauvery and Arasalaru in the heart of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. 

Thirukudanthai Sri Sarangapani Perumal Temple is one of the oldest temples built in 7^th century A.D, by King Mahendra Varman of Pallava Dynasty.  Formerly, Kumbakonam was the capital of Chola Dynasty.  Later, the Kings of Chola Dynasty initiated the real construction of this temple followed by the King of Vijayanagara Sri Krishna Devaraya.    This temple has the third highest temple tower of 150ft after Sri Rangam 236ft and Sri Villiputhur 192ft.   This temple also known as one of the Pancha Ranga Kshetram of Lord Vishnu and one of the largest temples amongst the 18 temples in Kumbakonam.  The largest 11 story Gopuram is 44 meter tall with beautifully embellished dancing postures of Lord Shiva.  There are two entrances to this temple Utharavasal remains open during Utharayana Punyakalam and Dakshinavasal at the time of Dakshinayana Punyakalam.  The main Sanctum Sanctorum of this temple is conceived like a grand chariot, it is believed that Lord Mahavishnu came down to Earth in this splendid chariot to marry Sri Mahalakshmi in this sacred land.

Aravamudhey Adiyen Udalam Ninbal Anbaye

Neeral Alaindhu Karaiya Urukindra Nedumaley

Seerar Sennel Cauvery Veesum Sezhuneer Thirukudanthai

Earar Kolam Thikazh Kidanthai Kanden Emmaney

Presiding deity – Thiru Sarangapani Perumal/Aravamudhan/Uthanasayi with his consort Goddess Komalavalli Thayar/Padi Thanda Patni

Mangalasasanam – Sri Andal, Periyalwar, Thirumazhisai Alwar, Boothathalwar, Peiyalwar, Nammalvar and Thirumangai Alwar.

Pushkarani – Hema Pushkarani/Potramarai Kulam , Cauvery, Arasalaru

Vimanam – Vaidheeka Vimanam

Festivals – Chithirai Car Festival, Thai Car Festival, Vaikundha Ekadashi,

Anya Kshetra Kriya Pavam Punya Kshetra Vinashyathi

Punya Kshetra Kritham Pavam Varanasyam Vinashyathi

Varanasya Kritham Pavam Kumbakonam Vinashyathi

Kumbakonam Kritham Pavam Kumbakonam Vinashyathi

Our revered Guru Sri Sri Chandraskeharendra Saraswathy Maha Swamigal of Kanchi describes the splendor of Punya Kshetras in Kumbankonam in the above glorious verses.  The above lines portraits that the sins committed in Punyakeshtras can be eradicates with a visit to Varanasi, sins committed in Varanasi can be washed off with a visit to the Punya Kshetras in Kumbakonam and the sins committed here can be wiped out in Kumbakonam itself. 

This temple myth is associated with a discussion of Rishis and Sages about who was the most deserved amongst the trinities for the initial offerings made to fire sacrifices.  In order to examine personally, Sage Brighu was agreed to visit Brahma Lok/Satya Lok, Vishnu Lok/Sri Vaikundham and Rudra Lok/Mount Kailash respectively.  Sage Brighu visited Brahma Loka, there he found Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswathy was absorbed in their activities.  Thus, Sage Brighu was not pleased at this couple.  He visited Rudra Lok and found the celestial couple Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati was occupied in their performance of cosmic dance.  Therefore, Sage Brighu was disappointed and left to Vishnu Lok.    Sage Brighu arrived in Vishnu Lok and found Lord Vishnu immersed in his Cosmic sleep/Yoga Nidra.  Sage Brighu most irritatingly kicked on the chest of Lord in order to wake him up.  The most compassionate Lord was concerned about Sage Brighu’s act, worried and took his feet in Lord’s hand.  Actually, Lord Sriman Narayana touched his feet in order to take away the pride in him.    The most embarrassed Sri Mahalakshmi who resides on the Lord’s chest left Sri Vaikundham immediately.  Sage Brighu lost his pride at the touch of Lord and pleaded to forgive him.

The most disappointed Lord Vishnu at the separation of Sri Mahalakshmi came down to earth searching for her.  Lord Vishnu transformed into Lord Srinivasa, he arrived in Tirupati and got married to Goddess Padmavathy. The moment Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi left Lord Vishnu; he realized the scarcity of wealth and borrowed from Lord Kubera to perform his marriage with Goddess Padmavathy.  The same story repeated once again, Goddess Padmavathy had an argument with the Lord and she left Lord Srinivasa. In the meantime, Goddess Sri Mahalakashmi happened to listens all about Lord Vishnu from Maharishi Narada.  Lord Srinivasa arrived in this sacred land and resided in a cave very close to Sanctum Sanctorum of this temple, to save himself from the rage of Sri Mahalakshmi.

Sage Brighu was born as Hema Rishi and Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi was born as his daughter Komalavalli.  Hema Rishni found a baby girl on a lotus in the temple tank ‘Potramarai Kulam’ situated here. He brought up the baby girl and later she was married to Sri Sarangapani Perumal in this sacred place.

Natha Munikal a zealous devotee of Lord Vishnu happened to listen the glorious verses of Divya Prabandham  - Tamil vedic hymns ‘Aravamudhey’ composed by Nammalvar.  He was intensely moved at its contents and prayed to Lord Aravamudhan for the compilations of entire works of Divya Prabandham.  Lord Aravamudhan instructed Natha Munikal to visit Alwar Thirunagari, subsequently Natha Munikal met with Nammalvar and with his help compiled the work of Nalayiram Divya Prabandham.

Thirumazhisai Alwar, one of the renowned 13 Vaishnavaite Saints, a passionate devotee of Lord visited this sacred temple and found Lord Sarangapani in his reclining posture; he was puzzled to visualize Lord in his Yoganidra posture.  He solemnly enquiring Lord about the reason for his Yoganidra, was that because of weariness?  After listening to Thirumazhisai Alwar, Lord Sarangapani slightly raised from his reclining posture to greet his devotee. Seeing this, Thirumazhisai Alwar felt guilty and prayed to Lord to stay as the way he feels comfortable.  In this temple Lord Sarangapani can be seen in the above posture, to some extent raised from the platform. 

Nadantha Kalkal Nonthatho Nadunga Nyala Menamaya

Kidanthamei Kulungavo Vilangumal Varaichuram

Kadanthakal Parappi Cauverykarai Kudanthayul

Kidanthavarey Ezhuthirunthu Pesu Vazhi Kesavaney

Another legend has that at the time of deluge, Lord Brahma in order to preserve Veda, elixir of immortality and the requirements of creation process into a pot and placed it on the Mount Meru, gradually this pot set freed to this land.  Lord Shiva was assigned the task to break this pot with an arrow by all the deities.  The moment the pot was broken, the elixir of immortality rushed out of it and formed two sacred tanks one was Potramarai and another was Mahamakam Tank.  The remaining portion of the divine nectar formed into Lord Amruthakumbheshwara.  Thus this place has got its name ‘Kumbakonam’/Thirukudanthai.

Another significance of this Divya Desam is that Lord Sarangapani performed the last rites of a Brahmachari Lakshmi Naryana Swamin an ardent devotee of Lord.  He spent his entire wealth for the construction of Rajagopuram of this temple.  He was worried about his last rites; Lord Sarangapani himself performed the last rite for his passionate devotee.   And it is believed that every year in the Tamil month Aippasi Lord pays homage to his faithful devotee.

This temple remains open from 7.00AM to 12.30 PM in the morning and 4.00PM to 8.00PM in the evenings.

Contact person:

Sri. S. Soundararaja Bhattachariyar Swamin – 9486310896

95, Iyengar Street,

Kumbakonam – 612001

Jai Sriman Narayana !!