Saturday, November 28, 2015

Kothandarama Temple, Ariyalur

Kothandarama Temple, Ariyalur
Located in the heart of Ariyalur 1 km west of the bus stand is the Kothandarama Temple, where the bronze idol of the handsome South Facing Rama is believed to date back over 1000 years to the Pallava period with later renovation during the Chozha rule. The East facing Venkatesa Perumal, a later creation, is now the main Moolavar deity at this temple.
However, to this day, the temple continues to be known after the original deity as the Kothandarama Temple of Ariyalur. Rama is seen along with Sita and Lakshmana in a single peedam. 

An interesting feature at the temple is the exquisite over 6 feet tall Dasavaratha idols on either side of the Dasavathara Mandapa, one that was constructed by Vijaya Oppila Mazhava Raya. In recognition of this, one finds his idol at the entrance of the mandapa.
Ariyalur also bears its name from the presence of Lord Vishnu here. ‘Hari Iruntha Oor’, the place where Lord Vishnu resides, in course of time became ‘Ari’ yalur.
History
There are two inscriptions and one Copper plate in this temple. The earliest record is dated to A.D. 1635 and it is engraved in the south base of the main temple. It is damaged and refers to an order of Ariyalur Arasu nilaiyitta Oppila Malavarayar who agreed not to collect some taxes in anju parru nadu in Vitta parru. A Copper plate charter dated to A. D. 1729 and issued during the reign of Arasu nilaiyitta Rangappa Malavarayar refers to the decision reached by the shepherd community (called Ayppadi Gopala vamsattar) to contribute one panam per head and house of their community to this temple during the time of marriages in their families.
Lastly an inscription of A.D. 1742 of Vijaya Oppilada Malavarayar son of Rangappa Malavarayar and grandson of Vijaya Oppilliada Malavarayar mentions a brahmana Venkatapathi Ayyan. However the last two records now disappeared from this temple.

The above records show that this temple came into existence during the period of Arasu Nilaiyitta Oppilada Malavarayar. The portrait sculptures in the Dasavaratara mandapa may be that of this Chief and his Queen. The beautiful ornamental workmanship of the adhishtana, kumbapanchara in the sanctum, Dasavathara sculptures and the Gopura – all make this temple as a beautiful centre of the architectural achievements of the Ariyalur Chief.
Architecture
A Vishnu temple called Kondandaramaswamy Koyil exists in Ariyalur. Though the presiding deity in this temple is Srinivasa perumal it is popularly called as Kondandaramaswamy Koyil because of the existence of a shrine in which Rama, Lakshmana and Sita are enshrined.
The temple faces the east. The main shrine is dedicated to Srinivasa Perumal and His two consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. It has a garbagruha (15 feet square) and ardhamandapa (17 feet long) and Mahamandapa.
The Kodandaramar shrine is a later addition which is built of chalk stone and attached with the ardhamandapa of the main temple by facing the south. Inside the shrine is installed the stone sculptures of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita on a Pitha and bronze images of them are also in the shrine. It is said that the idols were found from the Kollidam river bank near Vikramangalam and brought here by a Chief of Ariyalur who built a shrine and installed the deities in it.

In front of the main temple is built a spacious mandapa called Dasavathara mandapa. Four rows of pillars (20 feet height) with 10 pillars in each row are set up in the mandapa. In these pillars the figures of the ten avatars of Vishnu are carved out. The figure is about 6.6 feet high. At the entrance of the row, the sculptures of a Chief and his Queen are also carved out.
The whole complex is surrounded by a raised compound wall and a 6 storied Gopura (90 feet height) is built at the entrance. The basement of the Gopura is built of chalk stone and the upper stories are built of brick and mortar. A shrine for Garuda is built in front of the Gopura. A tank called Kodanda pushkarani is excavated in the southern side of the temple.
The Alarmelmangai Pushkarani (sacred temple tank) on the southern side of the temple, which is in a dilapidated state with thick vegetation inside, will also be spruced up.
But for the Garuda vahanam, all the vahanams including that of horse, hanumantha and elephant are still found in the vahana mandapam in a dilapidated state. Festivals that were once celebrated in a grand manner at this temple including Brahmotsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi have become sedate over the past several decades with the Vahanas in a broken state. With the construction of new vahanams, plans are to revive the Brahmotsavam and also celebrate the annual festivals including the Theppotsavam inside the big temple tank.
The temple chariot is also in a state of disrepair. In decades gone by, the annual chariot festival used to take place on the Shravanam day in the Tamil month of Vaikasi. Plans are on to reconstruct the chariot and the temple is hopeful of reviving the chariot festival within the next few years. Pavitrotsavam, another sacred festival, which was also an annual feature here, is also being revived.
North Facing Lord Narasimha is seen in four forms inside the Dasavathara Mandapa- Lakshmi Narasimha, Yoga Narasimha, Hiranyavatha Narasimha and Prahalada Narasimha. One finds Lord Narasimha with sharp finger nails that tore apart the Asura, while his foot is placed on the slain Asura King Hiranyakasipu whose son Prahalada is seen in a calm, devoted standing posture.
Dasavathara idols:
An interesting feature at the temple is the exquisite six ft tall Dasavaratha idols, on either side of the Dasavathara mandapam, one that was constructed by Vijaya Oppila Mazhava Raya. In recognition of this, one finds his idol at the entrance of the mandapam.
Lord Narasimha, who is facing north, is seen in four forms inside the Dasavathara mandapam - Lakshmi Narasimha, Yoga Narasimha, Hiranyavatha Narasimha and Prahalada Narasimha. One finds Lord Narasimha with sharp finger nails that tore apart the Asura, while his foot is placed on the slain Asura King Hiranyakasipu, and Prahalada is seen in a calm and devoted standing posture.
While the Dasavathara idols are a few hundred years old, the Kothandarama Sannidhi, originally facing south, with the beautiful bronze idol of a smiling Rama is believed to date back to over 1,000 years (to the Pallava period) with later renovation during the Chola rule. To this day, the temple continues to be known after the original deity as the Kothandarama Temple of Ariyalur even though the East facing Venkatesa Perumal, a later creation, is now the main Moolavar deity at this temple. There is also a separate Sannidhi for both Vishwaksenar and Manavaala Maamunigal on the Northern side.
Festivals
·        Vaikunta Ekadesi with Swarga Vaasal opening
·        Rama Navami  
·     Garuda Sevai Procession on Vaikasi Visakam day is a big highlight at the temple
·        Plans are to revive the Brahmotsavam and Theppotsavam
·        Chariot Festival on Shravanam Vaikasi
Quick Facts
·        Moolavar: Venkatesa Perumal East Facing Standing Posture
·        Thaayar: Alarmel Mangai Thaayar (Separate Sannidhi)
·        Time: 730am-1030am and 5pm-830pm
·        Contact:  Krishna Kumar Bhattar @ 97501 31328
Connectivity
Ariyalur is on the Chennai - Tiruchirapalli rail route. Auto from Ariyalur Railway Station to the temple will cost Rs. 40/-. When here, also visit Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal temple at Kallankurichi, 6kms east of this temple.

References