Saturday, September 2, 2017

Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple, Adambar, Thiruvarur

Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple, Adambar, Thiruvarur
Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Adambar Village in Thiruvarur District of Tamilnadu. Though the presiding deity is Ranganathar, the temple is more popular as Ramar Temple. Thillaivilagam, Paruthiyur, Vaduvur, Mudikondan, Adambar are the five auspicious places specialized as Pancha Rama Kshetras, in Thiruvarur District.

Legends
The several villages near Hathambar (also called Adambar) are connected to episodes in the Ramayana. Valangaiman, Padagacheri, Kollumangudi, Nallamangudi, Adambar, Thatakanthapuram are the villages related to the episode Ramayana. Rama decides to kill the deer after knowing who it is at Hathambar or Adambar and the deer is killed at Kollumangudi. Sita sights the beautiful deer at Nallamangudi. The deer goes in the right-hand side is Valangaiman and the ornament Padam was dropped by Sita is Padagacheri and when Tataka was chased by Rama she hid herself here but the prince killed her in the place of Thatakanthapuram and so on.

The Temple
This is a very small temple but is connected with the story of Ramayana. The entrance to the temple is a small single tiered gopuram but with beautiful Stucco images of Sita, Lakshmana Hanuman and Rama. As you enter, the granite slab inscribed indicates the date of the last Maha Samprokshanam done as 27th June 2002 under the guidance and anugraham of Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal. Presiding Deity is called as Ranganathar and Urchavar is Rajagopala Swamy. Though the presiding deity is Sri Ranganathar, the temple is more popular as Ramar Temple.

After entering the temple, Kothanda Rama Shrine can be seen. The Vigraha is beautiful and similar to Vaduvur. The Lord faces the east. This shrine houses Ramar, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman with Deer (Mareechan, the Rakshasa, is in the form of Deer). Main Sannidhi houses Ranganatha along with consort Ranganayaki. There is a small shrine for Garudazhvar in the prakaram.

Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 7 Kms from Achuthamangalam, 8 Kms from Nannilam, 14 Kms from Poonthottam, 20 Kms from Nachiyar Koil, 30 Kms from Kumbakonam, 22 Kms from Thiruvarur and 123 Kms from Trichy. Adambar is located in the Achuthamangalam – Thiruveezhimalai link road which connects the Nachiarkoil – Poonthottam road and Kumbakonam – Nannilam road. Nearest Railway Station is located at Nannilam and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.