About trip

About Temple:This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 95th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).This temple is very famous as a “Kadan Nivarthi Sthalam” (to remove indebtedness).This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 22.01.2018 and prior to that on 04.04.2004 and 18.03.1992.

• Moolavar:Saraparameswarar
• Amman / Thayar: Gnanambikai, Gnanavalli.
• Thala Virutcham:Mavilangai.
• Theertham:Markandeya theerthem, Bindhu Sudha theertham.
• Old year:1000-2000 years old.
• Location:Tirucherai,  Thanjavur,Tamil Nadu.

Temple's Speciality:

• Lord Shiva graces in the temple as Swaymbumurthi. He is worshipped as Rina Vimochana Lingeswarar meaning that He relieves the devotees from debts.
• This is the only temple where three Durgas are present as Shiva Durga, Vaishnavi Durga and Vishnu Durga. Saint Tirunavukkarasar has praised the Bhairava in the temple with a special hymn. 
• Bhairava graces here with a tattoo on the left upper arm with a trident and bell, a form exclusively seen only in this temple. The rays of Sun falls directly on the presiding deity and the feet of the Mother on 13, 14 and 15th of Masi (February-March). 
• The holy tree Mavilangai will have only leaves for first four months of the year, only white flowers during the second four months and nothing during the remaining four months.  
•  Mother Gnanavalli shrine is on the outer corridor (prakara) left to the presiding deity Saraparameswarar. Lord Shiva teaches righteous path to all beings and Mother Gnanavalli assists Him in this graceful service, according to our Puranas. 
• In the inner corridor, there are shrines for Vinayaka, Nataraja, Idaparooda (Lord Shiva on the bull vehicle), Dakshinamurthy, Kalabhairava, Durga, Sun and Sani Bhagwan (Saturn).
• On the western side of the Prakara, there are shrines for Vinayaka, Markandeya and a Linga installed by him gracing His devotees from their debt burden web called Rina Vimochana Lingeswara. 
• Then follows the shrines of Sri Balasubramania. The temple was built by the famous Chola King Kulothunga Chozhan. 

Festivals:

•  Mahashivarathri in Masi (February-March), Iypasi Annabishekam (October-November) and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai (December-January).

Itinerary

Day 1 - Thanjavur Sightseeing

Morning pick up from Theni. Proceed towards Thanjavur. Hotel Check in. Brahadeshwara Temple. Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Siva Ganga Garden. Vijayanagar Fort. Come back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Thanjavur.

Day 2 - Thanjavur Sightseeing

Morning Breakfast at Hotel. Bangaru Kamakshi Temple. Schwartz church. Swami Malai temple. Come back to Hotel. Overnight stay at Thanjavur.

Day 3 - Thanjavur Sightseeing

Morning Breakfast at Hotel. Check out from Hotel. To visit Sarasvati Mahal. Thanjavur Maratha Palace. Sri Saraparameswarar Temple at Thirucherai Then proceed towards Theni. Finally drop at Theni.