Koothanur Sri Saraswathi Temple, Tiruvarur

Address

Koothanur Sri Saraswathi Temple, Koothanur, Poonthottam Post, Nannilam Taluk ,Tiruvarur District – 609503 Phone: 04366-239909 91

Diety

Amman: Maha Sri Saraswathi

Introduction

Koothanur is a small village in the temple belt of Tamil Nadu, renowned for the Saraswati Temple and its association with the Tamil poet Ottakkoothar. The temple’s uniqueness lies in being dedicated exclusively to the Goddess of learning, Saraswati.

Location:

Koothanur is located near Poonthottam, within the temple belt of Tamil Nadu. It’s conveniently accessible from Kumbakonam, which is about 30 kilometers away.

Legend:

The name “Koothanur” has its origin in a village that was gifted by King Rajaraja Chola II to the Tamil poet Ottakkoothar.
The temple is associated with a legend that speaks of the poet Ottakkoothar’s deep devotion to Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and wisdom. Ottakkoothar sought the blessings of the Goddess to be blessed with the ability to compose poetic works.
Ottakkoothar’s devotion and penance led to a divine encounter with the Goddess, who appeared as a beautiful woman on a boat in the river, bestowing upon him the gift of poetic prowess.
The temple also has stone inscriptions that validate its historical significance.

Triveni Sangamam:

The temple is located at the confluence of three holy rivers: the Arasalaaru River (also known as Saraswati River), Ganga, and Yamuna. This confluence is referred to as “Dakshina Triveni Sangamam.”
People visit the shrine with aspirations for wisdom, knowledge, education, and academic success. Many parents bring their children to the temple to seek blessings for their education.
The temple is known for its role in granting children the ability to excel in their studies and become fine orators, poets, and musicians.

Features of the Temple:

The main deity in the temple is Goddess Saraswati, portrayed in a seated posture, with four hands, holding a palm script, ‘Chinmudra,’ ‘Akshamala,’ and a nectar pot, representing various aspects of knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual bliss.
The temple complex also includes shrines dedicated to Lord Brahma, Lord Nagaraja, Bala Dhandayuthapani (Lord Muruga), Valampuri Vinayakar, and Narthana Vinayakar.
Notably, the idol of Lord Vinayaka is believed to have natural and rare divinity.

Festivals and Worship:

The temple witnesses a significant influx of devotees during examination times, as students come to offer prayers for success in their studies.
The local population also seeks blessings for various aspects of life, including career prosperity, family harmony, and marriage.
The temple becomes a hub of activity during festivals like Navaratri and Thai, and special pujas and rituals are performed during these occasions.
The tradition of writing “Om” on children’s tongues with honey during full moon nights is a unique local practice, believed to enhance their oratory and musical skills.

The Koothanur Saraswati Temple, dedicated exclusively to Goddess Saraswati, holds a special place in the hearts of devotees seeking knowledge, wisdom, and educational success.