Saranatha Perumal Temple, Thirucherai

Sthala Purāṇam

The Saranatha Perumal Temple at Thirucherai is bound to the cosmic deluge, the Maha Pralaya. When the universe faced dissolution, Vishnu instructed Brahma to safeguard the Vedas and the instruments of creation in a vessel. Having tested the soil of many places, Brahma found that only the firm sand of Thirucherai held fast, and from it he fashioned a strong pot in which he preserved the Vedas through the flood, enabling re-creation thereafter. From this saving saras (tank or vessel) the kshetra takes its name; it is celebrated as the Pancha Saara Kshetram, where five elements gave their support, the sthala, the Lord, the Goddess, the Pushkarani, and the vimana. A second legend tells of the river Cauvery, who performed severe penance desiring parity with the Ganga. Vishnu appeared as an infant whom she nursed; revealing his ten avatars and granting her a dip in the temple tank, he declared that in the month of Tula she would be regarded as holier even than the Ganga, and he is said to have crawled as a child in her hands, accepting her as his mother. Uniquely, the moolavar Saranathan stands here flanked by five consorts, Sridevi, Bhudevi, Neeladevi, Mahalakshmi, and Saranayaki. Sage Markandeya and the river Cauvery are enshrined beside the Lord, and Thirumangai Alvar sang pasurams in its praise.

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