Saranathan form of Srihari Vishnu is worshipped in one of the Divya Desam Temples.
The murti of Saranathan is in standing posture and faces East. The
important temple associated with this manifestation of Vishnu is at Tirucherai near
Kodavasal in Tiruvarur District. The temple is known as Tirucherai Saranathan Temple.
Story of Saranathan Form of Vishnu
Legend has it that when it was time for one Yuga to end,
Brahma asked to Vishnu to suggest a place to hide the Vedas. Bhagvan Vishnu
asked Brahma to make a strong pot and put the Vedas inside it. Brahma tried to
make a strong pot using clay taken from various locations but the pot was not
strong. Finally, the pot made using clay taken from Tirucherai was very strong.
The Vedas were placed in the pot. As the place provided the clay to make the pot to overcome
the Mahapralaya the place was known as Sara Kshetram.
Saranatha is also one of the forms of Vishnu who is present
will all his consorts - Sridevi, Bhudevi, Neela Devi, Mahalakshmi and
Saranayaki.
It is also believed that Saranathan gave boons to Cauvery River which made her as holy as Ganga River.