Kothandarama Temple, Thillaivilagam – Legends
Rama’s Stay at Sage Bharadhwaja Ashram:
As per
Hindu 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),
Oru Il (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).
