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.
·
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