Sarangapani Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to lord Vishnu located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 Vishnu temples venerated by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars, in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. This temple is one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams and is located beside the Kaveri.

The temple is thought to be quite old, with donations from the Mediaeval Cholas, the Vijayanagara Empire, and the Madurai Nayaks over the centuries. The temple is surrounded by a massive granite wall, which houses all of the temple’s shrines and water basins. The rajagopuram (main doorway) stands 173 feet (53 metres) tall and has eleven storeys. The Potramarai tank, also known as the temple tank, is located directly across from the temple’s western entrance.

Story/Legend of the Sarangapani Temple

According to Hindu folklore, the Vaishnava deity Sarangapani, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, appeared for the sage Hema Rishi, who was performing penance in the Potramarai tank’s bank. Sage Bhrigu once desired to meet Vishnu in his Ocean of Milk home. When the sage did not catch Vishnu’s attention, he became enraged and kicked Vishnu in the chest. Mahalakshmi, who sits at Vishnu’s side, became enraged because Vishnu did not express his rage at the sage.

She left Vaikunta and arrived on Earth, taking the shape of Padmavathy. Vishnu pursued and wedded her. Padmavathy regained her memories and was still enraged at Vishnu. Vishnu lived as Pathala Srinivasa in the temple’s basement chamber to avoid her wrath.

Meanwhile, the sage Bhrigu sought his apologies and asked Mahalakshmi to be born to him as Komalavalli in his next life. The sage was born as Hemarishi and underwent penance in order to get Mahalakshmi as his daughter. Vishnu was pleased with the penance and wished the sage would marry Lakshmi. Lakshmi appeared from the Potramarai tank among thousands of lotuses and was hence known as Komalavalli (the lotus-emerging).

From his abode Vaikuntam, Vishnu descended to earth as Aravamudhan in a chariot pulled by horses and elephants. He stayed at the adjacent Someswaran Temple to persuade Lakshmi to marry him, and the pair married. The name Sarangapani means “one who has the bow in his hand” and is derived from the Sanskrit words Sarangam, which means “bow of Vishnu,” and Pani, which means “hand.” This temple is considered one of the 108 Divya Desams.

What is Divya Desams– A Divya Desam or Vaishnava Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu and Lakshmi temples recorded by the Alvars, the poet-saints of the Sri Vaishnava faith. 105 of the 108 temples are in India, one is in Nepal, and the final two are thought to be in space, in Tirupparkatal and Vaikuntham. They are distributed over the Indian states of Tamil Nadu (84), Kerala (11), Andhra Pradesh (2), Gujarat (1), Uttar Pradesh (4), and Uttarakhand (3). Muktinath, Saligramam is Nepal’s sole Divya Desam. The 12 Alvars respect the Divya Desams in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil hymns.

History of Sarangapani Temple

The temple’s Mahasamprokshanam, also known as Kumbabishegam, was conducted on July 13, 2015. The Mahasamprokshanam drew a vast number of devotees. The temple is thought to be of substantial antiquity, with donations from the Mediaeval Cholas, the Vijayanagar Empire, and the Madurai Nayaks at various eras. The temple is ensconced within a massive granite wall, and the complex houses all of the temple’s shrines and water basins.

The temple is believed to have been built 2000 years ago, modified in the 7th Century CE by the Pallava King Mahendra Varma, then by Cholas in the 11th Century CE and later renovated by Nayak Kings during the 15th century CE and then by King Krishnadevaraya during 16th century CE. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Tamil Nadu government maintains and administers the temple.

Architecture of Sarangapani Temple

Figures illustrating numerous religious stories can be found on the rajagopuram. The temple also has five smaller gopurams. Within the sanctuary are images of the sage Hemarishi, Lakshmi, and festival images. The sanctum has two stepped entrances, Utharayana Vaasal and Dhakshanayana Vaasal, each open for six months. The temple is surrounded by a massive wall, and the complex houses all of the temple’s water features save the Potramarai tank.

The temple’s central shrine is shaped like a chariot carried by horses and elephants, with openings on either side depicting Sarangapani’s fall from heaven in the chariot. In the western part of the temple, there is a sculptural image of the sage Hemarishi. The temple’s central shrine contains a picture of Sarangapani in pallikonda posture, with his head resting on his right hand. The Potramarai tank is placed outside the western entrance and faces east.

Hemarishi Mandapam is the centre hall of the Potramarai tank. Sarangapani is Kumbakonam’s largest Vishnu temple, with the town’s tallest temple tower. Utharayanya Vaasal is open from 15 January to 15 July, while Dhakshanaya Vaasal is open the rest of the year. The rajagopuram (main doorway) has eleven storeys and stands 173 feet (53 metres) tall.

Facts about Sarangapani Temple

• Sarangapani Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India.
• It is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 Vishnu temples venerated by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars, in Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
• This temple is along Kaveri and is one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams. it is the largest Vishnu temple in Kumbakonam.
• The basic motions in Bharatanatyam, a South Indian dance genre, are composed of 108 karanas. Some of these karanas are sculpted onto the temple’s walls.
• Sarangapani temple is ranked third after Srirangam and Tirupathi temples. In the 7th-9th century Vaishnava canon Divya Prabandham, the temple is venerated by Andal in one verse, Periyalvar in three, Bhoothathalvar in two, Thirumalisai Alvar in seven, Peialvar in two, Nammalvar in eleven, and Thirumangai Alvar in 25 verses.
• The temple is one of the temples built on the banks of the Kaveri River. Pancharanga Kshetrams (also known as Pancharangams, which means “five Rangams or Ranganathas”) is a series of five ancient Hindu temples on the banks of the Kaveri River devoted to Ranganatha, a form of the god Vishnu.
• The Sarangapani Temple follows Pancharatra Agama and Vadakalai traditions.
• The Gopuram is massive! One of the tallest at 173 feet height with 90 feet length and 51 feet width! And it’s highly ornate.
• The Sarangapani Temple sanctum is an architectural marvel, shaped like a chariot carried by horses and elephants. The twin temple chariots are the third largest, weighing 300 tonnes apiece.
• People believe that the Lord hears their prayers and that they will be rewarded according to their deeds and righteousness.

Famous Festivals In Sarangapani Temple

• Akshaya Tritiyai – 12 Garuda Sevai Chaitra Brahma Utsavam celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April – May)
• Brahmmotsavam is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• The temple chariot festival is the most prominent festival of the temple, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai
• Diwali – Diwali is one of the most admired and auspicious festivals in the town.
• Chitra Poornima is also a significant occasion for celebration in the temple.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.

How to Reach Sarangapani Temple

Sarangapani Temple is a Vishnu shrine located in the Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu.

By Air: Trichy International Airport is about 88 kilometres from the temple and can be reached by road from there.

By Railway: The Kumbakonam town, with sound rail connectivity, is only 3 kilometres away.

By Roadways: There is a frequent bus service available. It is 2 kilometres from the Kumbakonam Bus Terminal.

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