Sarangapani Temple

Sarangapani temple Kumbakonam is considered to be one of the most important lord Vishnu temples in South India, along with Srirangam and Tirupati. Seven of the Alwars sang the glories of this temple.

Lord Sarangapani is the presiding Deity of the temple. Most of the temple was built by the Nayak kings between the 13th and 17th centuries, but the central shrine dates to the end of the Chola period. It is the largest Vishnu temple in Kumbakonam, and it has a gopuram 44m (I 46 ft) high that is 90 feet by 50 feet at the base.

There are two entrances for entering the central shrine of Sarangapani temple. You enter the southern entrance during the dakshinayana period, when the sun is in the Southern Hemisphere and the northern entrance during the period of uttarayana, when the sun is in the northem hemisphere.

There are many Deities in the temple, including Padiala Srinivasa (Vishnu). The Lord's consort is Sri Komalavalli (Lakshmi), whose shrine is located in the north part of the temple, to your right as you enter the temple. Bathing in the Hema Pushkarani Tank next to the temple is considered very auspicious. The main central shrine resembles a chariot, with elephants and horses carved on the basement. There are many carvings on the walls of this shrine.

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