Mudikondan Kothandaramar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Mudikondan Kothandaramar Temple, Mudikondan, Thiruvarur District – 609 502 Mobile: +91 99659 23703

Diety

Kothandaramar Amman: Sita

Introduction

Mudikondan Kothandaramar Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama located at Mudikondan Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is Kothandaramar with Mother Sita on the left and brother Lakshmana on the right holding the bow Kothandam in the sanctum sanctorum and a shrine to Hanuman outside the sanctum sanctorum. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old. Thillaivilagam, Paruthiyur, Vaduvur, Mudikondan, Adambar are the five auspicious places specialized as Pancha Rama Kshetras, in Thiruvarur District.

Puranic Significance

Pancha Rama Kshetras: Thillaivilagam, Paruthiyur, Vaduvur, Mudikondan, Adambar are the five auspicious places specialized as Pancha Rama Kshetras, in Thiruvarur District. Lord Rama visit to hermitage of the sage Bharadhwaja: The temple is associated with the hermitage of the sage Bharadhwaja. Mudikondan has a mention in the Valmiki Ramayana. It was here the ashram of Sage Bharadhwaja existed. During his march to Lanka, Sri Rama stayed in the hermitage of Sage Bharadhwaja for a short while, when the sage wanted to treat the Lord with a feast. Sri Rama politely declined to accept the offer as he was on a mission and promised to accept the same on his way back to Ayodhya. When Rama was returning back after completing his mission, his Pushpaka Vimanam landed near the hermitage. Lord Ranganatha, the Kula devata (family deity) of Lord Rama manifested at the request of Bharadhwaja Maharishi for the sake of Lord Rama. Lord Ranganatha personally coroneted Lord Rama with a pushpa kireedam (a crown made of five different Deva Loka flowers). Rama gave darshan to Sage Bharadhwaja with this Mudi (crown) and hence the place is known as Mudikondan. Hanuman’s angry gesture: Rama asked Hanuman to make a quick trip to Nandigram to inform Bharatha of their arrival. By the time, Hanuman returned, Rama had adorned the crown and finished his meals. Saddened by the fact that his Lord did not wait for his return and not having set aside a plantain leaf for him, Hanuman decided to stand outside. Hence, Hanuman is absent in the sanctum sanctorum and he has a separate shrine opposite to Sri Rama outside the temple complex. Also, it is believed that Hanuman in his anger prayed that plantain should not grow here. To this day, there is no growth of plantain trees in Mudikondan, though one would find a number of trees outside this village. Lord Rama Temple facing east: Generally, Ram temples are built facing south as Vibishana from Lanka always wanted to have the darshan of Lord Rama according to scriptures. But here, the temple is facing east as he gave the darshan to Sage Bharadhwaja with Mother Sita and Lakshmana in his coronation form. However, Lord Sri Ranganatha installed by Sage Bharadhwaja is facing south to grace Vibishana.

Beliefs

Those praying in this temple are blessed with high education and wisdom. Those desirous of going overseas for higher education visit this temple praying to achieve their aim. Artists aspiring name and fame and special skills seek the blessing of the Lord of this temple. Couples separated due to some reason or other get united praying here. Employment opportunities, promotion in job are also the boons Sri Ramachandra ensures to the devotees. Besides usual pooja offerings, devotees getting their aim fulfilled arrange a procession of the Lord, offering garlands of Tulsi, lighting lamps, special Nivedhana and distribute to the visitors.

Special Features

The arch on the road forms the main entrance to the temple and there is no Raja gopuram. As you enter the temple through the arch you will be welcomed by the grand look of a crown. The Vimanam of the main Sannathi will be visible like that of a crown. This visual has a special significance to this temple legend. Presiding Deity is Kothandaramar with Mother Sita on the left and brother Lakshmana on the right holding the bow Kothandam in the sanctum sanctorum and a shrine to Hanuman outside the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Rama is seen in a unique and rare posture with three bends in his body- the face is seen in one direction, the hip in another and the legs in a third bend. This posture is referred to as ‘Uthama Lakshana’. Generally, temples for Rama are constructed facing south so that Vibishana, after his coronation following the end of Ravana, could ever worship Rama in the North. But the Mudikondan Temple is facing east as Bharadhwaja Rishi wanted to have the Dharshan of Sri Rama with Sita and Lakshmana with his crown. Instead, Sri Ranganatha shrine installed by Sage Bharadhwaja is installed facing south. The procession deity is very beautifully made with his neck and hip bending with his Kodandam and arrow in hand. Ramatheertham is located behind the temple. Perhaps this is the only temple where Sri Anjaneya is absent in the Sanctum Sanctorum. He was angry for some reasons and has his shrine opposite the sanctum sanctorum. The separate Sannathi of Hanuman is facing the main temple and on the banks of the temple tank known as “Sri Rama Tirtham”. The Sannathi has a small mandapam in the front. Sri Anjaneya the best devotee of Sri Rama is seen as ‘Anjali hastan’ (with folded hands). The temple is believed to have come into being even before the times of Alwars. Alangudi Swamigal Ashram: Sri Swamigal belongs to the village Alangudi near this place. Srimath Bagawatham was inspiration for Sri Swamigal. The Sanyasa ashram name of Sri Swamigal is “swyam pragasanantha swamigal”. But people know him as Sri Alangudi Swamigal. He had read Srimath Bhagavatam many times as the tradition and prescribed rules during his life time. He had inculcated this tradition to many devotees of Srimath Bhagavatam. Even today there are many devotees who come to this village for reading Srimath Bhagavatham in the traditional way in the Sri Alangudi Swamigal mutt. The reading of Srimath Bagavatham is continues in this mutt. Mutt continues to attract Srimath Bagavatham devotees, where recitation of these verses reverberates and revitalize the devotee.

Festivals

The deity comes in procession on the 3rd Saturday in the month of Purattasi (September-October). 13 day Sri Ramanavami – 10 day festival ends with Sitarama Kalyanam and procession. Each month on the Punarvasu star day being the birth star of Lord Rama, special pujas are performed in the temple. The devotee crowd is usually huge on Saturdays. Special pujas are performed with all festivity splendors on Deepavali, Pongal and Tamil and English New Year days.