Goddess Saraswathi Temple, Koothanur, Thiruvarur
The uniqueness of this temple lies in the fact that it
is dedicated exclusively to the Goddess of learning Saraswati. Although there
are shrines to Saraswati in most Shaivite temples as well as niche shrines to
Brahma, temples dedicated exclusively to Brahma or Saraswati are very rare.
It is believed that the poet Ottakkoothar erected the
shrine. He is also said to have celebrated Vijaya Dasami, the day following the
9-day Navarathri festival in the Tamil month of Purattasi. There are several
stone inscriptions, validating the antiquity of the temple.
Koothanur is a small village located near Poonthottam in
the heart of the Temple belt of Tamil Nadu. This village is especially famous
for the Saraswati Temple and its association with Ottakkoothar, the Tamil poet.
On full moon nights, children are brought here in droves
and the word “Om” is written on their tongues, with a stick dipped in honey. It
is believed that such children blossom into fine orators, poets and musicians.
In Koothanur village which is very near to Nannilam, an
extremely rare temple for Saraswati exists. During examination times, many students
come to worship Goddess Saraswathi, the goddess of Wisdom. Reaching the temple
is convenient because of ample transport facilities from Kumbakonam, about
30 km away.
Many sages and savants chose the banks of the river in
Koothanur to perform their penance in absolute peace. Right near the river,
Harinatheswarar temple confers an absolutely peaceful for doing penance. A few
feet away, Goddess Durga is found as the village protective deity. which is a
rarity A nearby place known as ”Poonthottam” must have been a beautiful park
full of lovely flowers in ancient times. People of the past, would have had
their bath in river Arasalaaru and taken flowers from Poonthottam for worshipping
the Lord.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
Etymology
According to the history, King Rajaraja Chola donated
this temple to Ottakkoothar a renowned poet so that he could compose in peace.
Hence this town came to be called as Koothanur = Koothan (the poet) + oor
(village).
Location
Temples dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati are seldom
found in India.
There are very few temples in India dedicated to
Saraswathi, the Goddess of learning. Though we see her in collaboration with
other deities in most other temples, a shrine dedicated to the Goddess Herself
is very rare. Located in the Mayiladuthurai-Tiruvarur rail route and one and a
half kilometres away from the village Poonthottam is the temple dedicated to
Saraswathi – Koothanur.
History
The origin of the word Koothanur was a village gifted by
Raja Raja Chola II to the songster Ottakkoothar. The temple has attained
popularity by gaining the status of the only temple dedicated to Saraswathi.
Devotees throng the place praying for their children’s education, liberation
from previous births by taking a bath in the Triveni Sangamam.
The Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Other Temples
in Koothanur:
1. Temple for the
goddess of learning, Maha Saraswathi
2. Temple for Rama, God Protecting Dharma.
3. Temple for Harinatheswarar, to perform penance.
4. Temple for Durga, the benevolent and town protecting
goddess.
5. Temple for Draupathi.
6. Temple for Malaysia Sastha, Ayyanar, the family deity of
people of this town.
7. The temple of Maha Ganapathi, (known as ‘Moola Vinayaka’
or, colloquially ‘Moolai Vinayaga’) who is supposed to be the root of Koothanur.
The deity here is the favourite of youth of this own, and they celebrate
festivals for him regularly.
Worship & Festivals
For brief details, please refer below link;
Prayers
People aspiring for wisdom, knowledge and education come
to this shrine to pray to Goddess Saraswathi. Children are admitted to schools
after performing pujas in the Saraswathy Temple in Koothanur. Those aspiring
for higher education, art and crafts and music visit the temple to get their
desires fulfilled. Outside the temple you can see little shops selling pencils,
pens, notebooks and other aids to studying. These objects are offered to the
Goddess, sometimes in multiples of 100, and distributed to visitors and family
by devotees.
Couples separated from each other or undergoing marriage
problems come to Saraswathy Temple to pray and come together to start a new
chapter in their married life. People also pray for gainful employment, profit
from business development, promotion in jobs etc. According to the scriptures,
those who perform rites of passage for their ancestors here on the banks of
Harisol River in the month of Thai (January-February) gain great benefits from
the blessing of their elders.
Rituals
The rituals performed by devotees to Goddess Saraswathi
in this temple are believed to be highly rewarding. For having grace of the
Goddess they can offer bathing of the idol in honey, milk, turmeric power, pure
oil, curd, ghee, and fruit juices. Certain devotees offer white dresses for
covering the idol of the Goddess.
Another popular belief is that childless couples who
consume ghee offered at the feet of the goddess will be blessed with children
very soon.
The ancient poets of Tamil Nadu with names Ottakkoothar,
Ovathakoothar, and Purushothaman Bharathi were assumed to have gained wisdom
and skills by worshipping Saraswathi of this temple.
Literary Mention
Bhaskarar, who wrote the Sri Lalitha Sahasranama
Bhashyam, said that only if a person has done good deeds in previous births he
would be able to admire the Goddess. The Devi Mahathmiyam praises her as
follows: Clad in a white garment, seated in Padmasana in a white lotus, holding
a book in the left hand, a veena in the right hand, with eyes expressing
compassion and the third eye revealing knowledge, along with the lips rendering
a warm smile.
Contact
Sree Maha Saraswathi Amman Temple,
Koothanur, Poonthottam Post,
Nannilam Taluk
Tiruvarur District - 609503
Phone: 04366-239909 91
Connectivity
Koothanur, a town situated in the Thiruvarur district of
Tamilnadu, is approximately 25kms from Mayiladuthurai and 19 kms from
Thiruvarur.
By
Train:
The Temple is located west at a distance of 2 Kms from
Poonthottam Railway Station which is between Mayiladuthurai to Tiruvarur.
By Road:
The temple is located at Mayiladuthurai to Tiruvarur
route. Get down at Poonthottam Stop; Temple is located at a distance of ½ Km
from the Bus
By Air:
Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.