Friday, November 23, 2012

Patteeswaram Kothandarama Temple

Lord Rama installed Shiva Linga here at Patteeswaram and provided darshan in a Kalyana Kolam
Rajaraja, Rajendra and Kulothunga Chozha made this an integral part of their kingdom and took several important decisions from here
Located just under 10kms South West of Kumbakonam is the Kothandarama temple in Patteeswaram, a temple whose legend dates back to the Ramayana
The temple in its current form is believed to date back to the 16th Century AD. The mix of granite and brick construction seems to indicate that this temple may have seen renovation during different periods in history and different rulers may have played a role in the construction of the temple though there are no specific records available to this effect.

Direction to the temple
In centuries gone by, the landmark to this place was denoted as being South of Arasalaru and North of Mudikondan River.

Pallava and Chozha Period
In the 8th Century AD, Pallava King Nandivarma II built the beautiful Nandipura Vinnagaram -Jagannathan Perumal Temple (Divya Desam), a few kms East of Patteeswaram giving this region a grand stature and a rich place in history. Subsequently, Rajaraja Chozha, Rajendra Chozha and Kulothunga Chozha made this an integral part of their kingdom from where they took several important decisions    .

Liberation from Chaaya Hathi Dosham
Having defeated and killed Ravana, legend has it that that Rama visited Patteeswaram, installed Shiva Linga (referred to as Rama Linga) at the Thenu Pureeswara temple (half a km East of the Rama Temple) and performed pooja invoking the blessings of Shiva to liberate himself from Chaaya Hathi Dosham that had struck him as a result of killing Vaali hiding behind a tree. Later, Devas arrived here and requested Rama to provide darshan in a kalyana kolam at this place.

Another story goes that Pattu Saali Maha Rishi invoked the blessings of Rama on behalf of silk weavers of this place who were going through troubled times.

Festivals
10day Navarathri Brahmotsavam
Rama Navami Kalyana Utsavam
Hanuman Jayanthi
30day Utsavam in Margazhi

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Kalyana Rama in an East Facing Standing Posture
Utsavar   : Kothanda Rama
Time       : 8am-12noon and 5pm-830pm
Contact   : Varadaraja Bhattar @ 98405 78704

How to reach
Pateeswaram is about 8ms from Kumbakonam. An auto from the Kumbakonam railway station will cost Rs. 125. Buses every half hour from Kumbakonam Bus stand (Aavoor bound buses)
While at Patteeswaram, also visit Gopinatha Perumal Temple (1km West), Jagannathan Perumal Divya Desam in Nathan Koil (4kms East), Sundaraperumal Koil (4kms West) and Kalinga Narthana Temple in Oothukadu (12kms South West).


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