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Post No. 15,483
Date uploaded in Kumbakonam, India – 10 March 2026
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Like Kanchipuram, Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu is also dotted with several Vishnu and Shiva temples. They are called Temple Towns; only difference is Kanchi has Jain temples as well. In Kanchi one can see more Pallava influence and in Kumbakonam one can see more Choza influence.
The Vishnu temples I visited on 5-3-2026, are Bow Holder Temple (Sarangapani) and Wheel Holder Temple (Chakrapani). They are sung by Alvars, Tamil Vaishnavite saints and dated 1200 to 1500 years old. Both the temples have some unique features.
Vishnu has five weapons in his hands.
Vanamali Gadi Sarangi Shanki Chakri Cha Nandaki Shriman Narayano Vishnur Vasudevo Bhirakshatu.
वनमाली गदी शार्ङ्गी शङ्खी चक्री च नन्दकी।
श्रीमान् नारायणो विष्णुर्वासुदेवोऽभिरक्षतु॥
Vanamali (वनमाली): One who wears the Vanamala, a divine garland made of forest flowers (Vaijayanti), representing the subtler elements of nature.
Gadi (गदी): The bearer of the mace named Kaumodaki;
Sharngi (शार्ङ्गी): The wielder of the Sharnga bow;
conch (Shankhi), discus (Chakri), and sword (Nandaki).
Lord Narayana, who is adorned with these divine weapons and symbols, including the conch (Shankhi), discus (Chakri), and sword (Nandaki). It is chanted for safety and to remove obstacles.
Let us first visit Sarngapani (saarngapaani) Sarngam is the bow and Paani in Sanskrit is Hand.
The Sarangapani Temple is a 1000 year old Hindu temple in dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is depicted holding the sharanga (bow). It is one of the 108 Divya Desams and a significant Pancharanga Kshetram located on the Kaveri River bank. It features unique chariot-shaped architecture and legends.
Situated in Kumbakonam, this temple is revered in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham by seven Alvars (poet-saints).
Architecture: The main sanctum is designed like a chariot (Ratha) pulled by elephants and horses, featuring intricate carvings from the Chola and Nayak periods.
Deity: Lord Sarangapani is in a reclining posture (Bhujanga sayanam) on the chariot bed.
Legends: The temple is associated with Sage Hemarishi, who did penance to have Lakshmi as his daughter, and it is a Pancha Kshethram where Goddess Lakshmi was born as Bhargavi.
Key Spots: Includes the Pathala Srinivasan sanctum (underground) and the Mettu Srinivasan (above ground) sanctum.
Festivals: The temple celebrates major festivals, including the chariot festival (Rathotsavam).
Lakshmi emerged from the Potramarai tank among thousand lotuses and was thus named Komalavalli (the one who emerged from lotus). Vishnu descended to earth as Aravamudhan in a chariot drawn by horses and elephants from his abode Vaikuntam.He stayed in the nearby Someswaran Temple to convince Lakshmi to marry him and the couple eventually got married. The temple follows Pancharatra Agama and Vadakalai tradition.
Tallest tower
The Sarangapani Temple dates back to the Pallava era; however, the existing edifice is linked to the Vikrama Chola period, beginning in 1121 AD. Its importance grew significantly during the reigns of the Vijayanagara and Nayaka dynasties from the 15th to the 17th centuries, which saw considerable expansion of the temple’s structure
A notable highlight of the Sarangapani Temple is its main entrance, the rajagopuram, which rises to a height of 173 feet and consists of eleven tiers. This structure is the tallest temple tower in Kumbakonam and ranks as the third tallest gopuram among the Divya Desams, following Srirangam (236 feet) and Srivilliputhur (192 feet).
Trial Run of the New Chariot
Trial run of the New Ratha/ Chariot of Sarngapani
Is taking place on 13-3-2026. This is one of the biggest chariots of Tamil temples.
Height – 60 feet; Weight 500 Tons;
Chariot’s horses and other figures are made up of papier mache and bamboo. It will be used next Chitrai month . Thousands of people will pull it using 300 metre long huge rope.
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Chakrapani temple
All the Shiva and Vishnu temples are in walking distance. Chakrapani temple is unique in many respects.
In the Chakrapani Temple, Lord Vishnu appears in the form of a discus or Chakra to put down the pride of Surya, who subsequently became his devotee. Like Lord Shiva, Lord Chakrapani has a third eye on his forehead.
Lord Vishnu appears as the fiery Sudarshana Chakra with eight arms and a third eye, resembling Lord Shiva to subdue Surya’s pride. It is known for its “Bhaskara Kshetram” where the Sun God worships the deity. Bhaskra means Sun/Surya.
Picture shows Sun God worshipping Chakrapani.
Unique Deity Form: Lord Chakrapani is depicted not as a human avatar but as the radiant, Sudarshana Chakra (wheel ) housed in a central sanctum.
Third Eye & Eight Arms: Unlike typical Vishnu forms, this idol has eight arms holding weapons and a third eye on the forehead, similar to Lord Shiva.
Bilva leaves are used here instead of Tulsi.
Sun Worship (Bhaskara Kshetram): Legend holds that the Sun God (Surya) worshipped the Chakra here to regain his lost brilliance, making it a prominent place for Sun worship.
Architecture & Entrances: The temple has a five-tiered Raja Gopuram and features two entrances—”Thatchinaya Vayil” and “Utharavana Vayil”—and an outer Prakara built like a balcony.
Historical Significance: A bronze statue of the Maratha King Serfoji II is present, as he is said to have been cured of a severe illness by the deity.
Important Rituals: It is one of the five Vishnu temples involved in the Mahamaham festival, with major, unique celebrations including the, Thirumanjanam (holy bath) and special, worship during Masi Magam.
Pancha Mukha Hanuman: The temple complex contains an idol of the five-faced Hanuman.
The temple is also known for, being a place where worshippers, pray for relief, from, physical, or, mental, illnesses.
***
As per Hindu legend, Chakra (also called Sudarshana), is the most powerful weapon of god Vishnu. He once sent his weapon to nether world to kill king Jalandasura. The weapon is believed to have come out of the nether world through river Kaveri. God Brahma, installed the image of Sudarshana in the place where the temple is now located. Surya, the Sun god, who was glowing in brilliance, had his brightness diminished by the effulgent Sudarshana. Surya worshipped Sudarshana and pleased by his devotion, Sudarshana restored all the powers of Surya. He worshiped Chakrathazhwar (personified Wheel or Discuss) during Masi Magam and every year Masi Magam festival is celebrated during the day, commemorating the event. The temple car is drawn around the streets of the temple during the day.
–subham—
Tags- Kumbakonam, Sarngapani temple, Chakrapani temple, unique features, wheel, bow, Bhaskara kshetra, tallest tower, tallest chariot, Sun/Surya
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