Moolavar
Saraparameswarar
Gnanavalli sametha Sara Parameswarar koil at
Thirucherai is known as the temple for debt relief. Lord Shiva here is known by
different names like Udayar, Senneriyappar and Sara Parameswarar.
The temple is praised in the Thevram hymns of Gnanasambandar
and Tirunavukkarasar. This is the 95th temple on the southern bank of river
Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.
Mahashivarathri in Masi (February-March), Iypasi
Annabishekam (October-November) and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai (December-January).
Lord Shiva graces in the temple as Swaymbumurthi. He is
worshipped as Rina Vimochana Lingeswarar meaning that He relieves the devotees
from debts. This is the only temple where three Durgas are present as Shiva
Durga, Vaishnavi Durga and Vishnu Durga. Saint Tirunavukkarasar has praised the
Bhairava in the temple with a special hymn. Bhairava graces here with a tattoo
on the left upper arm with a trident and bell, a form exclusively seen only in
this temple. The rays of Sun falls directly on the presiding deity and the feet
of the Mother on 13, 14 and 15th of Masi (February-March). The holy tree
Mavilangai will have only leaves for first four months of the year, only white
flowers during the second four months and nothing during the remaining four
months.
Sri Saraparameswarar Temple, Tirucherai Post – 612 605,
Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur district
Mother Gnanavalli shrine is on the outer corridor (prakara)
left to the presiding deity Saraparameswarar. Lord Shiva teaches righteous path
to all beings and Mother Gnanavalli assists Him in this graceful service,
according to our Puranas. In the inner corridor, there are shrines for
Vinayaka, Nataraja, Idaparooda (Lord Shiva on the bull vehicle),
Dakshinamurthy, Kalabhairava, Durga, Sun and Sani Bhagwan (Saturn).
On the western side of the Prakara, there are shrines for
Vinayaka, Markandeya and a Linga installed by him gracing His devotees from
their debt burden web called Rina Vimochana Lingeswara. Then follows the
shrines of Sri Balasubramania. The temple was built by the famous Chola King
Kulothunga Chozhan.
Devotees offer abishek and Vastras to the Lord on realizing
their prayers. The affluent ones do poor feeding (Annadhanam) and contribute
for the maintenance and renovation of the temple.
Tiruchearai Lord Saraparameswara is also praised in the name
of Chenneri Appar meaning that the Lord shows all the people the righteous way
of living. There is also a Vishnu Temple nearby known as Pancha Kshetra.
This is the only temple where three Durgas, Shiva Durga,
Vaishnavi Durga and Vishnu Durga grace the devotees from one shrine. Lamp
worship is followed in this shrine during the Rahukalam time – 90 minutes in
each day will be Rahukalam. The timing differs each day.
After worshipping the Navagrahas (9 planets) and Sri
Nataraja, Bhairava graces from His shrine. Bhairava appears here with a tattoo
on his left upper arm with a trident and bell, a depiction only in this temple.
Saint Tirunavukkarasar has sung the grace of Bhairava of this temple in his
Thevaram hymn. The song describes Bhairava as Lord Shiva Himself.
Devotees offer garlands made of Vada (a pudding fried in
oil) to Bhairava on Ashtami day (8th day from new moon or full moon day),
perform archana with 1000 names (Sahasranama) for relief from the adverse
aspects of the planets and for success in litigations.
Sun worship: Sun worshipped Lord Shiva in many places
offering his apologies to Lord for participating in the Yagna of Daksha against
His wish. Tirucherai is one among them. Symbolising this, the rays of Sun falls
on the Lord and the feet of Mother Gnambikai on 13, 14 and 15th day of Masi
Month (February-March). Sun worship is very ardently performed these days.
Special pujas are performed in the temple during the whole Masi month in the
morning hours.
The name of the place had changed from Arai or Chetrur as
Cherai or Tirucherai. The place is noted for its fertility in the Thevaram
hymns.
Sage Markandeya installed a Linga for his own soul
satisfaction near the Vinayaka in this temple and had been worshipping the
Lord, praised as Rina (debts) Vimochana (released and discharged) Lingeswarar
(God).
Everyone aspires for a comfortable life. Despite health,
education and wisdom, if poverty creeps in, life becomes miserable and involves
one in borrowings and debts. People pray to Lord Rina Vimochana Lingeswara here
to spare them from such events in life. They offer prayers on 11 Mondays
performing archanas and participate in the abishek ceremony finally on the 11th
Monday to realize their prayers. Devotees firmly believe that this prayer would
offer solution for all their problems and endow them with a life free of debt
and blessed with children, education and material progress.
The Lord is Swayambumurthy. 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. The rays of Sun falls on the
presiding deity Lord Sara Parmeswara and on the feet of the Mother on 13, 14
and 15th of Masi month.
Miracle Based: Lord Shiva graces in the temple as
Swaymbumurthi. he rays of Sun falls directly on the presiding deity and the
feet of the Mother on 13, 14 and 15th of Masi (February-March). The holy tree
Mavilangai will have only leaves for first four months of the year, only white
flowers during the second four months and nothing during the remaining four
months.
Saranatha Prumal temple at Thirucherai, where
there are 5 forms of Lakshmi, Mahalakshmi, Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Neeladevi and
Saranayaki.
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