The Sarangapani Temple is one of the Divya Deshams listed by the Tamil poets Alvares. It is a Vishnu temple where he is worshipped in the name of Sarangapani. Seven Alvares, important personalities from Shri sampradaya, sung the glories of this temple. It was built from the 13th to 17th century by Nayak kings, but the inner sanctum is older and it dates back to the beginning of their era. Gopuram is 44 m high. South gate is used as the entrance in times when the sun is on the southern hemisphere and the northern gate serves as the entrance when the sun travels north. In the end, Bhrigu pronounced Vishnu as the greatest since He didn’t lose His temper even after being kicked by Bhrigu in the chest. Vishnu, on the contrary, welcomed Bhrigu with sweet words and gave him honor proper to a visiting brahmana. After that incident, Bhrigu regretted his offense and prayed to be able to serve the Lord in two next births. In Ramacandra’s pastimes, he was Guha and thereafter he was born as the sage Hema. Hema rishi prayed for Shri Vishnu’s help in a place of present Kumbakonam. Here Bhrigu also got the blessing to have Lakshmi as his daughter. In this way, Lakshmi could be reunited with her husband Shri Vishnu through him. Finally, Lord Vishnu descended on Earth in His chariot to get in marriage the hand of the daughter of Hema rishi. Thousands of devotees participated in the sacred chariot festival of Sarangapani Temple in Kumbakonam on Sunday. The event was conducted as part of Chitrai Brahamotsavam of the temple. The Chitrai Brahmotsavam began on April 21 with Dwajarohanam.
On the ninth day of the festival, the chariot run was conducted on major thoroughfares around the temple. Just before dawn, the processional deity along with the divine consorts was brought to the chariot base where special pujas were held. Around 6.20 a.m., the chariot festival started with Kumbakonam MLA Sakkottai G. Anbalagan, former MLA Rama Ramanathan and other dignitaries joining the devotees in pulling the temple chariot.