Thillaivilagam Sri Kothandarama Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Thillaivilagam Sri Kothandarama Temple, Thillaivilagam, Thiruthuraipoondi Taluk Thiruvarur District Phone: +91 4369 245725 Mobile: +91 80568 56894 / 97868 77654

Diety

Sri Kothandarama Amman: Sita

Introduction

Kothandarama Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama situated in the village of Thillaivilagam in Thiruthuraipoondi Taluk in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. This is a temple for Rama & Shiva (Nataraja). Since Thillai Natarajar temple is here, the place is called Thillai Vilagam. Thillaivilagam, Paruthiyur, Vaduvur, Mudikondan, Adambar are the five auspicious places specialized as Pancha Rama Kshetras in Thiruvarur District. The only Rama temple where Moolavar Lord is seen holding an arrow with the inscription ‘Rama Saram’ bringing out Rama’s philosophy in life. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old.

Puranic Significance

Rama’s Stay at Sage Bharadhwaja Ashram: As per Mythology, after defeating Ravana, and on his way back to Ayodhya, Rama stayed here in the ashram of Bharadhwaja Rishi. The story goes that Anjaneya was reminding Lord Rama of the promise to Baratha to return to Ayodhya at the stipulated time. Hearing this, Sita asked Anjaneya to carry curd rice to Baratha with the message that they were on their way. On finding Baratha in a state of disbelief, Anjaneya lifted him on his shoulder and carried him to this region. It is at Mudi – Kandan (now Mudikondan) that Baratha found Rama’s hair and instantly recognized that his Lord was genuinely on his way back. It was at Mudikondan that Rama hugged his brother Baratha in a happy gesture of meeting him again after many years. Rama Saram- His special arrow: On his right hand, Rama is seen holding the arrow that contains the writing ‘Rama Saram’, the only one of its kind in a Rama temple. These writings refer to his philosophy of life – Oru Sol (Rama would not go back on the word he has given), Only one wife – (he would not look at another woman) and Oru Vil (The special bow). He used his special arrow only thrice during his life. The first time was in Chitrakoodam to kill Kakasuran. The story goes that while he was resting on Sita’s lap, the asura took the form of a crow and pecked on Sita. As blood started flowing, a drop fell on Rama waking him from his sleep. Realizing what had happened, he let go this special arrow at the asura ‘crow’. Surrendering to Rama, the asura gave away an eye in liberation of his wrong doing. Hence, to this day, crows cannot see straight. The 2nd time Rama used the arrow to kill Vaali in Kishkinda and the third occasion was to kill Ravana in Lanka. Pancha Rama Temples: The majestic posture of Veera Kothandarama at Thillai Vilagam is similar in facial posture to the ones at Mudikondan (Baalya Rama), Sri Vanjiyam (Hathambar Rama), Madurantakam (Eri Kaatha Rama) and Punnai Nallur (Saligrama Rama)

Beliefs

Belief is that presenting curd rice to Anjaneya at this temple would liberate the devotee from problem associated with marriage and Navagraha Dosham. The curd rice is packed on Anjaneya body and is not distributed to the devotees.

Special Features

This is a temple for Rama & Shiva (Nataraja). Since Thillai Natarajar temple is here, the place is called Thillai Vilagam. There is no Moolavar as such here and only the Urchavars are worshipped. The Pushkarani behind the temple is considered equivalent to Ganges. Presiding Deity is Veera Kothandarama in Standing Posture along with Sita, Lakshmana and Dasa Anjaneya facing east. The 5 feet Moolavar Rama is seen in a majestic posture sporting a handsome smile. Kothandarama is seen providing a ‘Tribangi’ Seva here at this temple. The neck has one kind of a curve, the hip a different curve and the leg in a bent posture. On his right hand, Rama is seen holding the arrow that contains the writing ‘Rama Saram’, the only one of its kind in a Rama temple. On a close look at his hands, one can see the nerves, the ring and his sharp nails. One is also able to see the sharp distinctive fingers on each hand just like a human hand. On his left leg, one finds the Raksha bandhan tied by mother Kausalya when Rama was young to protect him from evil forces. Anjaneya is seen next to Sita (who is seen in a Kalyana Kolam) in a Dasa Posture with his right hand close to his mouth in a posture of whispering something to Lord Rama. Just adjacent to the Kothandarama temple is the Chidambareswarar Umayambigai temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, where one also finds the idol of Nataraja. This temple is believed to pre-date the Chidambaram temple and the two temples of Shiva and Rama are seen next to each other almost in the same complex with an entrance on the Northern side of the Rama temple into the Shiva temple.

Festivals

Aadi Ammavasai and Thai Ammavasai days are sacred at this temple. Couples who bathe in the tank west of the temple on either of these two days are believed to be blessed with children. 11day Rama Navami Utsavam in Panguni with Vahana procession on each of the days. On the 4th day is the Garuda Sevai. On the 10th day of the Utsavam, Rama Pattabhishekam is performed with the Lord seen with a special crown. On the 11th day is the Vidayatri festival where Rama goes on a procession on ‘Deer Vahana’ the only one of its kind.