Thirucherai Sri Saraparameswarar Temple is located in Thirucherai village, near Kudavasal in Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu. It lies around 15 km from Kumbakonam and is easily accessible by road. The temple is situated near the River Kudamurutti, a tributary of the Cauvery, in a serene and spiritually rich environment. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Sri Saraparameswarar (also called Saranathanathar). His consort is Goddess Gnanambikai Amman. The Shiva Lingam here is a swayambhu (self-manifested) form and highly revered.
The temple is also well-known for the shrine of Perumal (Vishnu), where Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Sri Saranathan Perumal, making this a rare temple where both Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities are enshrined.
The temple showcases classic Dravidian-style architecture with beautifully carved gopurams, mandapams (halls), and prakarams (corridors). The temple complex is vast and houses separate shrines for Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, both having significant individual sanctums and sacred tanks (theerthams).
The temple’s architecture includes a tall Raja Gopuram (main tower), sculpted pillars with stories from mythology, and sacred tanks such as Sara Pushkarini and Chandra Pushkarini.
The temple has a deep history and is believed to have been built and expanded during the Chola dynasty period, with later additions from the Nayak and Maratha periods. The temple finds reference in the Thevaram hymns composed by saint Thirugnana Sambandar, identifying it as a Paadal Petra Sthalam – one of the 275 temples revered in Shaivite canonical literature.
Long ago, during the time of Pralaya (the great cosmic deluge), the world was being submerged in water. Fearing the loss of the holy Vedas and all knowledge, Lord Brahma prayed to Lord Vishnu for a way to protect the sacred scriptures and creation’s essence.
Lord Vishnu advised Brahma to collect sacred soil from Thirucherai, a divine and powerful place, and make a pot (kalasam) from it. With devotion, Brahma collected the clay from Thirucherai and fashioned a pot that could withstand the flood. He placed the Vedas, seeds of creation, and divine knowledge inside this pot and safeguarded them until the floodwaters receded. Because the pot that saved creation was made from this land, the place came to be known as Sara Kshetram (Sara means ‘essence’ or ‘pot’).
As Lord Brahma was performing this sacred act, he installed and worshipped Lord Shiva here, who manifested as Sri Saraparameswarar. Shiva blessed Brahma and took on the name Saraparameswarar, meaning “the Lord who was worshipped by the serpent (Sarpa)” and the “Supreme Lord of Sara Kshetram.”
Another legend states that a divine serpent (Sarpa) performed intense penance at this spot to get liberation. Pleased with its devotion, Lord Shiva appeared and granted moksha (salvation), giving rise to the name Saraparameswarar.
This sacred place is also associated with the River Cauvery. She once felt burdened by the sins of people bathing in her, and she came here to pray to Lord Shiva for relief. Shiva appeared and purified her, making Thirucherai a holy place where even gods seek purification.
The major festivals celebrated at Thirucherai Sri Saraparameswarar Temple include Maha Shivaratri, Margazhi Tiruvadhirai, Aadi Pooram, Thai Poosam, and Navaratri, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Gnanambikai. The temple also observes Brahmotsavam and Vaikunta Ekadasi grandly for Lord Saranathan Perumal, drawing large numbers of devotees.
