Sarangapani temple, Kumbakonam

The Sarangapani temple, Thirukudanthai also known as Kumbakonam Koyil is a hindu temple dedicated to lord Vishnu. It is located in Kumbakonam, TamilNadu and is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu. This temple is along Kaveri river and is one of the Pancharanga kshetrams.

The temple is one of the Pancha kshetram where the goddess Lakshmi was born as Bhargavi-the daughter of Bhrigu Maharshi. The other four temples of the Pancha kshetram are Sundararaja Perumal temple, Salem, Oppiliappan temple, Nachiyar koil and Venkateswara temple, Tirumala.

Significance:

As per hindu legend, the Vaishnava deity Sarangapani, a form of lord Vishnu, appeared for a sage Hemarishi, who performed pooja in the bank of Potramarai tank. Once, sage Bhrigu wanted to meet Vishnu at his residence, the Ocean of Milk. 

The sage did not get the attention of Vishnu and in anger, he kicked Vishnu on his chest. Laskshmi who resides in Vishnu's chest, got angered as Vishnu did not show his anger towards the sage. She left Vaikuntha and reached earth and took the form of Padmavathi.

Bhrigu maharshi sought his apology and requested Lakshmi to be born to him as Komalavalli in his next birth. The sage was born as Hemarishi and performed meditation to attain Lakshmi as his daughter. Vishnu was pleased by the penance and he wished the sage to get Lakshmi as his daughter.

How To Reach

Kumbakonam bus stand is located at a distance of 1.7 KM from the temple. You can reach the temple by auto or by taxi from the bus stop.