Thirukudanthai

108 Divya Desam Temples, Thanjavur District

God

Sarangapani, resting on Aadhisesha facing east

Goddess

Komalavalli Thaayar

Other Deities

Garuda, Mettu Srinivasan, Paadhala Srinivasan, Rama, Aandal, Anjaneya

The name of the town Kumbakonam itself is from the Thirukudanthai temple. Thirukudanthai temple dominates with a 147 feet tall 11 tiered Rajagopuram and is a grand sight from all around. Thirukudanthai temple is located in an area of 3 acres and has 3 Prakarams. The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of a Ther (Temple Car) with massive wheels and drawn by horses and elephants. The lord is in reclining posture and just getting up. He has a Bow in hand which is a unique feature. The Porthamarai Kulam (Temple Tank) is on the western side of the temple and has the Hemarishi Mandapam in the middle. There are about 5 other smaller Gopurams in the temple. There is no Sorga Vaasal (Entrance to Heaven) here at Thirukudanthai temple as the temple is considered equal to Vaikuntam (Abode of Lord Vishnu). Five Vishnu temples are connected with the famous Mahamaham festival which happens once in 12 years in Kumbakonam. They are Thirukudanthai Temple, Chakrapani Temple, Ramaswamy Temple, Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and Varahaperumal Temple.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Hema Pushkarini (Portamarai Kulam)

Vimaanam – Vaideega Vimaanam

History

Mangalasasanam has been rendered by Aandal, Thirumazhisai Azhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar, Boodhathazhwar, Paeiazhwar and Nammazhwar (part of the 12 Azhwars, 7-9th Century CE) here at Thirukudanthai. The temple is very ancient with contributions at different times from Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagar Empire and Madurai Nayaks. The 11 tiered Rajagopuram was built by the efforts of a devotee called Lakshmi Narayana Perumal.

Legend

The Lord of Thirukudanthai is believed to have shown the way for clearing the doubts of Sreeman Nadhamuni relating to some part of the Naalayira Divya Prabandham by directing him to meet Nammazhwar. Thus he is also called as Aaravamudhan. Vishnu appeared in answer to the penance of Sage Hema Rishi to obtain Mahalakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, as his daughter. Vishnu was pleased by the penance and he granted the boon. Mahalakshmi emerged from the Potramarai Tank amongst a thousand lotuses and was thus named Komalavalli (the one who emerged from lotus). Vishnu descended to earth as Aravamudhan in a chariot drawn by horses and elephants from his abode Vaikuntam. He stayed in the nearby Someswaran Temple to woo Lakshmi to marry him and the couple eventually got married. The name Sarangapani (“one who has the bow in his hand”) derives from the Sanskrit word Sarangam meaning bow of Vishnu and Pani meaning hand.

Directions

Thirukudanthai, Sarangapani Temple is in the center of Kumbakonam Town and you cannot miss it.

Stay and Food

Kumbakonam has excellent places to stay. The food in Mangalambika is very good, though there are some other very good restaurants too.

108 Divya Desam Temples

Tamilnadu Temples