Thirucherai - Runavimochana Lingam, Shrine of Debt Relief

The ‘Runa-vimOchana Lingam’ is installed in a separate sannadhi. The Lord is worshipped with the firm belief that he absolves the devotees of all their debts, in whatever form it may be on them. The debt may or may not be monetary and is not limited to that alone. It is believed that the Lord helps those who worship him for 11 Mondays observing the prescribed rituals, to tide over many a difficulty in their lives - like delays and hindrances in getting married, or being blessed with a child, or settling down in life in a good profession, debts related to business and also in development of business.

Gnanavalli sametha Sara Parameswarar koil at Thirucherai is known as the temple for debt relief. Lord Shiva here is known by different names like Udayar, Senneriyappar and Sara Parameswarar.

Markandeya is believed to have installed a Lingam here and worshipped the same. His prayer for prosperity of the people of this region was answered. The Rinavimochaneswarar Lingam is in the outer praharam (Circumambulatory path). The general belief is that worshipping Lord Shiva here helps improve the financial status and be debt-free. It is just the superficial meaning. However there is a deeper meaning to this. Debt includes financial debts and not limited to it.

There are other debts that many of us may not be aware of. According to scriptures, every human being is born with three types of debts. They are Deva rina (debt to God), Rishi rina (debt to Sages or Rishis) and Pitru rina (debt to ones ancestors). There are also well-defined means of repaying these debts. If a man does not repay these debts in his lifetime he will have another birth to repay. There is no escape from repaying these debts.

Details of Worshiping Rinavimochanar Lingam:

Mondays are considered very special for Lord Shiva. Worship Kadan Nivartheeswarar, as Rinavimochanar is also known, for eleven consecutive Mondays here. This would not be practical for most of us. However, when you visit the temple you can register your name (mention your birth star, gothram, names of your other family members and their birth star) for the archana (roughly translated as series of mantras or slokas chanted in praise of God) that will be performed on eleven Mondays. The cost for this is Rs.165/-. The prasadam is sent every week and will reach you every Wednesday/Thursday for eleven consecutive weeks. At the end of the eleventh week, or at any later date, you may visit the temple and take part in an abhishegam (ablution) that is done every Monday. The timings of the abhishegam (ablution) are 6 AM, 11 AM and 6 PM. You can choose the time according to your convenience. The whole ritual takes about two to three hours. The cost of taking part in this abhishegam (ablution) is Rs.250/-. Before this abhishegam (ablution), flower is distributed to the devotees and then taken back during the abhishegam (ablution). This signifies that you have paid back your debts. Eleven is a special number for Shiva as there are eleven forms of Rudra Shiva. Abhishegam (ablution) to Shiva is done with eleven materials as prescribed in the Shiva Agamas (Shiva worship rules). The abhishegam (ablution) materials are

Gingely oil
Pancha kavyam (mixture of five ingredients i.e. milk, curd, ghee and cow’s urine)
Panchamrutham (mixture of five ingredients i.e. fruits, jaggery, ghee, honey and sugar)
Ghee
Milk
Curd
Honey
Cane juice
Lime juice
Tender coconut water
Sandal paste

There are fairly a large number of people that take part in this worship ritual. During this ritual, a priest recites the Dharidriya Dhahana Shiva Stotram over a public address system and the devotees are encouraged to repeat after him. Thus worshipping at this temple absolves us of the three debts viz Deva Rina, Rishi Rina and Pitru Rina, apart from being blessed with prosperity. Reciting the Dharidriya Dhahana Shiva Stotram thrice a day also is said to yield the same benefits.

On the 13th, 14th and 15th of the Tamil month Masi, the Sun’s rays fall directly on the Shiva Lingam. It is a belief that Surya Bhagavan comes down here to worship the Lord on these days. In the inner praharam, there are Sannidhis (sanctum sanctorum) for Amrithakadeswarar and Abhirami worshipped by Markandeyar. There are also three niches of Durga viz. Shiva Durga, Vishnu Durga and Vaishnava Durga.

After worshipping Rinavimochanar, pray to Mahalakshmi whose shrine is near the Rinavimochanar shrine. After this proceed to Jeshtadevi’s shrine and worship Her. She ensures that you stay debt-free for the rest of your life. Archana to Bhairavar on eight consecutive ashtami (eighth day from New moon or full moon) and Abhishegam (ablution) is performed on the ninth ashtami. Devotees following this procedure are blessed with success in their endeavours and victory in any litigation. Bhairavar also blesses them by removing the navagraha dosha (malefic effect caused by a planet which is in an unfavourable position in ones horoscope).

Temple address:

Arulmigu Sara Parameswarar Thirukkovil
Thirucherai – 612605
Kumbakonam Taluk.

Contact Details:

S. Sundaramurthy Gurukkal
Temple Priest
2/45-B, South Street,
Thirucherai – 612605
Kumbakonam Taluk.

Mobile: 91-9442637759, 91-9443737759

Credits: Rajamala