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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.

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.

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.

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.

Moolavar: Saraparameswarar, Senneriyappar

Amman / Thayar: Gnanambikai, Gnanavalli

Thala Virutcham:Mavilangai

Theertham: Markandeya theerthem, Bindhu Sudha theertham

Old year: 1000-2000 years old

This sivasthalam temple is situated 11 Kms to the south-east from Kumbakonam towards Tiruvarur by road. Another sivasthalam Tirunaraiyur is located 5 Kms from Tirucherai. Nearest town is Kudavasal. A Divya Desam shrine of Lord Vishnu is also situated at Tirucherai.

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.

Mahashivarathri in Masi (February-March), Iypasi Annabishekam (October-November) and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai (December-January).

Devotees seek the grace of the Lord in this temple for freedom from debt burdens and cure from illness.

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.

The temple is open from 7.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Sri Saraparameswarar Temple, Tirucherai Post ? 612 605, Kumbakonam Taluk, Thanjavur district. Contact Number - +91 435 246 8001

Do:

Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.