Arpudha Kanavu | Thirukudandhai | The Celestial Chariot
In the sacred lineage of the Bhargavas, there lived a venerable sage named Hemarishi, a tapasvin of great austerity and wisdom. Born on the serene banks of the holy River Kaveri, Hemarishi had journeyed from the distant heights of Sahyaparvata, seeking the highest truth and divine realization. A beacon of knowledge and unwavering devotion, his heart was wholly surrendered to Lord Krishna, the Supreme Purusha.
Desiring a vision of Mahalakshmi Herself, Hemarishi undertook intense penance beside a sacred pushkarini (holy pond), invoking Her with single-minded devotion. So potent was his tapasya that the very waters of the pond became sanctified, and the site itself transformed into a tirtha. One auspicious day, as the sage sat in deep meditation, a divine miracle unfolded. From the center of the pushkarini, a radiant maiden arose, seated upon a thousand-petalled lotus, glowing with the brilliance of a thousand suns. Her form exuded celestial beauty, her fragrance pervaded the air, and her presence brought bliss to all creation. Moved by compassion and reverence, Hemarishi adopted the divine child, naming her Komalavalli, and raised her with tender love and spiritual instruction.
As years passed, Komalavalli blossomed into a maiden of exceptional grace, virtue, and divine aura. Yet, as she matured, a deep yearning took root in her heart. It was not for any earthly suitor, but for the Lord of Vaikunta, the Supreme Being, Sri Vishnu Himself. Her longing was fervent and pure. She spent sleepless nights in silent tears, her soul crying out to her Eternal Lord. Seeing her suffering, Hemarishi gently inquired, “My child, what sorrow burdens your heart?”
With tears welling in her eyes, Komalavalli replied, “Revered Father, my soul longs for union with Sri Vishnu, the Deva of all worlds. Yet, I am your daughter. How could such a divine union ever come to pass?”
Hemarishi, though deeply moved, was resolute in his faith. He said, “Child, this ashram lies close to the shrine of Mangalambika, also called Katyayani, the divine sister of Vishnu and an embodiment of Goddess Gauri. Worship her with utmost devotion. Just as Rukmini attained Krishna through such worship, you too shall receive divine grace.” With steadfast determination, Komalavalli began the Katyayani Vrata, offering prayers, flowers, and daily worship to Goddess Mangalambika, accompanied by her companions. Pleased by her unwavering devotion, Lord Vishnu, manifesting as Sarangapani, sent celestial messengers to Hemarishi, seeking Komalavalli’s hand in marriage. Overwhelmed with joy and reverence, the sage consented. Mounting a magnificent chariot drawn by divine horses, the Lord Himself journeyed to Kumbakonam.
The wedding that followed was of a grandeur beyond mortal comprehension. The skies resounded with divine music. Brahma, Rudra, and all the gods assembled to witness the sacred union. Sunanda, Nanda, Visvaksena, and the Lord’s divine attendants stood in service. Over his head gleamed the white umbrella of Adi Sesha, while the Vedas themselves sang his praise. Garuda, his eternal vehicle, stood in majesty beside him. From the heavens, flowers such as Mandara, Parijata, and celestial lotuses were showered. Indra’s elephant, Airavata, placed a garland upon the Lord. Aadikumbeshwara and Mangalambikai arrived with a holy kumbha to bless the divine groom.
In the sacred wedding hall, Komalavalli Thayar stood with lowered eyes, her face radiant with divine shyness. The Lord—resplendent in his golden Pitambara, adorned with the Kaustubha, Srivatsa, and bearing the Shankha, Chakra, and Saranga bow—stood as the Eternal Bridegroom.
Sage Hemarishi performed the padaseva, offering fruits and milk, and with sacred rites and chants, conducted the yajna and offered his beloved daughter to the Lord. Then, in a moment sanctified by the presence of devas, rishis, and divine mothers Saraswati and Parvati, Brahma himself performed the marriage rites. Bhagavan tied the mangalasutra around Komalavalli’s neck, while Mangalambikai completed the final knot. The divine couple then received blessings from all directions, and prepared for their Gruhapravesam (entry into their divine abode).
Yet as the chariot was readied, Hemarishi’s heart grew heavy. With folded hands, eyes moist with longing, he prayed: “O Lord of Lords, O Purushottama, I know You are the Supreme Truth. I know my daughter is none other than Mahalakshmi, Your eternal consort. Yet, as a father, I cannot bear the thought of parting with her. She has lived in my heart since her miraculous birth. If she leaves, I shall wither in sorrow. Therefore, O Sarangapani, grant me this boon—remain here, in Kumbakonam, and bless this land with Your eternal presence.” Moved by the sage’s selfless love, the Lord smiled and said, “Let it be so.” By His divine will, Vishvakarma, the celestial architect, created a magnificent city through maya. The Lord and His consort took up residence there, and thus was born Kumbakonam—also called Kudanthai, a city eternally sanctified by their presence.
To this day, Lord Sarangapani and Komalavalli Thayar reside in Sarangapani Temple in Kumbakonam, blessing all who approach with devotion, love, and surrender. The sacred pushkarini remains, its waters bearing witness to the sage’s penance and the Goddess’s descent. Devotees from all corners of Bharat come to this Divya Desam, seeking the grace of the Lord who stayed back for the love of a father and the longing of a daughter.
Long ago, in the dark age of Kali Yuga, the Sun God (Surya) beheld the rise of Adharma—falsehood, greed, and violence plagued the Earth. Enraged by the fall of righteousness, Surya declared: “Without Me, there is no light. I witness all actions. Yet mankind sins under My gaze. I shall burn the Earth and cleanse it by fire!” His fury scorched the three worlds. Rivers dried up, birds fell from the sky, and trees turned to ash. The Earth cried out in agony. The sages, filled with fear, sought refuge in Lord Narayana. They cried, “O Lord of Vaikuntha! Only You can restrain the Sun’s wrath!” Moved by their plea, the Lord dispatched His divine Sudarshana Chakra. As it approached, the Sun’s blazing heat vanished. Life returned.
Humbled and awe-struck, Surya bowed before the Lord and said: “I acted in haste, seeing Dharma fall. But Your grace is greater than fire. Guide me, O Narayana.” Then Bhagavan Vishnu, in the form of Sarangapani, appeared and said: “In Kali Yuga, patience and compassion are our greatest weapons. Let there be a sacred vow: Those who bathe in the holy Kaveri during Makara Sankranti, and have My darshan here, Shall be freed from sin. My Name alone can destroy darkness. Let this land be sanctified forever.”
Thus, Surya took residence in this land, and Thirukudandai became known as Bhaskara Kshetra—the place blessed by the Sun God and guarded by Lord Sarangapani. Even today, during Sankranti, thousands gather to bathe in the Kaveri and receive the blessings of Surya and Sarangapani, Lord of Compassion, who remains in Kumbakonam for the sake of His devotees.
The Sarangapani Temple is the largest Vishnu temple in Kumbakonam and stands out with its majestic 173-ft tall eleven-tiered rajagopuram—the tallest in the town. The temple complex is enclosed within high granite walls and includes five other smaller gopurams. Remarkably, all the temple’s sacred water bodies are housed within the enclosure, except the Potramarai tank, which lies just outside the western entrance.
The temple is aligned eastward, symbolizing the Lord’s descent from Vaikuntha, and its central sanctum is uniquely constructed in the form of a chariot drawn by horses and elephants, representing Vishnu’s divine arrival. Within the inner sanctum, the Lord is enshrined in utthaana shayanam, with His head resting on His right hand. The shrine is flanked by Dwarapalakas and accessed through a 100-pillared hall and a perforated axial window, symbolizing vision through devotion.
Flanking Him are sculptures of Sage Hemarishi, Komalavalli Thayar, and festival images. The two sanctum entrances—Uttarayana Vaasal and Dakshinayana Vaasal—are opened cyclically every six months, symbolizing the sun’s journey and auspicious transitions. In the northern part of the temple lies the shrine of Komalavalli Thayar, reflecting Her significance as the divine consort. The Potramarai tank, associated with Her manifestation, has at its center the Hemarishi Mandapam, marking the site of her emergence. Sri Swamiji has a special place Lord Sarangapani also known as Sri Aravamudhan. His kirtans to this Lord are filled with bhava and rasa. In one such kirtan, in nAyaki bhAva, Sri Swamiji sings of her wonderful dream where he saw Lord Sarangapani descend to marry her.
A splendid Bharatanatyam offering by Dr Vinaya Dhanasekar
pallavi
aRpudak kanavu onDru kaNDEn – thOzhI ArA amudanai adil kaNDEn
O Friend! I had a wonderful dream. I saw Aravamudhan in it.
anupallavi
bhAskara kShEtthiratthin puNya mUrtthiyAm
radatthil vandu en agatthil pugundAn || a ||
He is the Lord of Bhaskara kshetra; the fruit of all our merits
He came in a chariot and entered my home
charaNam
sArangapANi ennai jADaiyilE azhaitthAn
Sarangapani gestured, calling me to Him
enai maNandiDavE vandadAga uraitthAn
He said He had come to marry me
veTkatthinAl nAnum thalai kuniya ninDrEn
I stood with my head lowered in embarrassment.
kaipiDitthennai azhaitthu senDrAn
He held my hand and took me with him
puruShOtthamanuDan nAn vaikuNThatthil nitthiya sUrigaLin naDuvE irukka
And I (saw myself) stand with the Lord in Vaikunta, amidst the Nithyasuris.
