Saraparameswarar (Senneriyappar) Temple, Tirucherai

01Debts and the good path

Markandeya, the temple says, set up a linga here that freed him of the debts of past births; it is Rina Vimochana Lingeswarar, and people pray to it on eleven Mondays for relief from debts of every kind, including those their forefathers left. Because the Lord shows the right way of living, He is Senneriyappar, sen-neri being the good path. In one of his two hymns Appar sees the Lord Himself as Bhairava, and the Bhairava here carries a trident hung with a bell. Shiva Durga, Vishnu Durga and Vaishnavi Durga share one shrine. On the 13th to 15th of Masi the morning sun falls on the linga and at the Devi’s feet. The Saranathar Divya Desam stands in the same village.