Friday, December 18, 2015

Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram – Veerabhathirar Temple

Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram – Veerabhathirar Temple
The Veerabhadrar Temple is directly behind Periya Nayaki Amman's shrine. This temple predates Airavatesvara Temple. It is now in ruins as the raja gopuram was built of bricks and mortar and not stone.

Ottakkoothar, a famous Tamil Poet, the author of Thakkayaparani, a monumental Tamil Literary work depicting the story of Datchan the father of Dathchayani (also known as Parvathi or Sakthi) conducted a Yaga (a Holy Sacrifice) without inviting the supreme Lord Shiva visited this temple and sung about the main deity - Veerabhathirar - created from Shiva's curls.
This temple was believed to exist even before the Darasuram Airavatesvara temple i.e., before 12th Century A.D. Flat bricks are used to construct the Raja gopuram. The stucco figures (dolls) on the gopuram are made up of grinding the bricks.

This is one of the ancient brick work done on large scale. The Kalasam and the top stage of the Raja gopuram underwent environmental destruction. One could see the bright saffron color of the Gopuram made up of bricks reflects during the sunset.
General Information
It is noteworthy that there are Mantra letters behind Sri Veerabhadra Idol.  Special pujas are offered to the Lord on Tuesdays, Fridays and during Rahukalam time on Sundays – between 4.30 p.m. and 6.00 p.m.  Nandhi is in a hexagonal shaped mandapam before the shrine. 
It is believed that Nandhi is watching all the 8 directions.  Presiding deity Sri Veerabhadra appears soft in look.  There are shrines for Saivite Saint Gnanasambandar and Badrakali.
Temple History
Poet Ottakkoothar also wrote the Utharakanda for Ramayana and was a devotee of Lord Veerabhadra.  King Rajaraja Chola built this as requested by the poet on the banks of Kumbakonam Mahamagam tank.  The poet was visiting the temple for worship.  He saw one day a person going in the street chanting Thevaram hymn.  The poet intercepted and demanded the meaning which the singer could not offer. 
Angry Ottakkoothar slapped the person for his ignorance.  The person died due to the severity of the blow. His relatives came in search of the poet.  Ottakkoothar told the king what happened.  The king was not willing to lose a good poet to mob fury.  He sent his son covered in a palanquin and told the mob that it was a sin even to see the face of a killer and asked them to kill the son with the palanquin.  Doubting people were shocked to see prince in the palanquin.
Meantime, Ottakkoothar himself came to the spot and offered him to be killed with a request that he be executed after his usual darshan of Lord Veerabhadra.  People granted permission.  After the worship, Ottakkoothar hide himself in Mulaichalamman shrine and closed the doors.  The crowd demanded him to come out.  He prayed to Ambica to save him from the danger. 
Ambica asked him to write Thakkayaga Parani singing the glory of Lord Veerabhadra.  Ottakkoothar authored the epic in one night. Next early morning Ottakkoothar handed over the epic through a window.  People were happy to see the beauty of the poetry and paid rich tributes to the poet instead of demanding his head.  The epic was staged in this temple.
Greatness of Temple
The Samadhi of poet Ottakkoothar is behind Sri Veerabhadra shine. A Linga is also installed on the Samadhi with a Nandhi opposite.  The Guru Puja is performed on Aavani Uthiradam star day in August – September.  That special puja is performed for a day only. 
During full moon days, devotees light ghee lamps.  Though Sri Veerabhadra looks furious generally, He is soft and smiling in this temple. This is the place where eminent Tamil poet Ottakkoothar authored his famous Thakkayaga Parani and attained salvation.
Prayers
People pray to Sri Veerabhadra to achieve merits in education and oratory skill. Devotees submit their commitment with betel leaf garland and sweet pudding nivedhana.
Temple Opening Time
Only one time puja is conducted in the temple between 5.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m. Those desiring to visit the temple during other hours should contact the priest in advance to avoid disappointment.
Festivals
Ottakkoothar Gurupuja on Aavani Uthiradam in August – September and Shivrathri in February – March are the festivals celebrated in the temple.
Contact
Sri Veerabadraswami Temple,
Darasuram - 612 702,
Kumbakonam Taluk, Tanjore district.
Phone: +91- 92454 18708 / +91- 97905 25241.
Connectivity
The temple in Darasuram is 3 km far from Kumbakonam. It is well connected to Kumbakonam by Road. Nearest Railway Station is located in Kumbakonam. Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.