Image title: Figure 2. Sarngapani Temple

The Sarngapani temple is located between two great rivers: Kaveri and Arisolar.This temple is two kilometres from the railway station and the bus stand. This temple stands third in the list of Divya Desams, the first two being Tirupati and Tiruvarangam (Srirangam). “This temple is immortalised by a galaxy of ascetics and Tapasvins, the seven Alvars: Peialvar, Perialvar, Bhutatalvar, Nammalvar, Tirumalisaialvar, Tirumangaialvar and Srialvar.” “The Mulavar or the immovable idol in the Garbha Graha is Sri Aravamudu or Sri Aparyaptamrtan or Sri Aravamudan or Sri Sarngesan, Sri Sarngaraja, Sri Sarngapani.” He is lying on a serpent couch ready to get up, his right hand resting beneath his right ear, his face directed eastward. Tayar Komalavalli has a separate Sannidhi on the right side of the Perumal Garbha Graha. It is customary for all to worship the divine mother before having a Darsana of Sri Aravamudan.

Gallery information:

Kumbakonam is considered as one of the holiest places in Tamil Nadu and is known for its temples and Mathas (monasteries which were centres of Brahmanical learning). These photographs depict the connection between the sculptures in the temples and Natya Shastra and related texts dealing with iconography.