Chaturbhuja Kothandaramar Temple, Ponpadhar Koodam,
Pon Vilaintha Kalathur, Kanchipuram
Chaturbhuja
Kothandaramar Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama located at Ponpadhar Koodam near
Pon Vilaintha Kalathur in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. Ponpadhar Koodam
is a small village located at about 10 kms east of Chengalpattu, just further
to PV Kalathur. The rare feature of Sri Rama here is that he is seen with four
arms holding Bow, Arrow, Shanku (Conch) and Chakra in each of his arms.
This
temple is small, yet beautiful amidst a serene atmosphere with lots of paddy
fields around. The road from Chengalpattu to this temple is not too good. But
it’s worth to take a drive in such a bad road to see such a wonderful Sri Raama
and the rare Sri Bhavya Anjaneya.
One of
the few temples in India where Rama is seen displaying his Chaturbhuja Form. An
interesting feature is that one sees Sharp nails on Rama’s fingers, the life
line on the palm of his hand, his knee cap and veins on his leg.
This
Temple is located about 70 kms South of Chennai off the Great Southern Trunk
(GST) Road and under 15 kms off Chengalpet (near Ottivakkam Railway Station).
This Temple is over 600 year old.
Pon Padhar
Koodam is one of the very few temples in India with Rama in a grand sitting Chaturbhuja
Posture. The most prominent of the Chaturbhuja Rama is in Dhandakaranya
Kshetram of Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh).
This
small village gets its name from the fact that this place used to be full of
golden husk all over. (Ponpadhar - means golden husk in Tamil).While Golden
grains were grown in Pon Vilaintha Kalathur; they were thrashed and cleaned at
Ponpadhar Koodam.
Legends
Devaraja darshan of Chaturpuja Rama:
Sri Rama
graced his darshan to Mother Kausalya, Sri Anjaneya, and Thrijada who was a
loving companion to Sita during her captivity in Lanka and to Mandodhari, wife
of Ravana as Lord Mahavishnu with four hands holding the conch and discus. Sage
Devaraja wished to have a similar darshan and prayed to him. Lord obliged the
Maharishi in this place. A temple was raised later. Lord was named Chaturpuja
Kodandaramar (Rama with four hands).
Darmadhishta got cured of Skin Disease:
One
Darmadhishta had to suffer from skin disease due to a curse. He worshipped Rama
in this shrine and got cured. Therefore, those suffering from such problems
offer Tulsi garland and sugar candy to the Lord seeking a remedy.
Monkey attending Pattabhishekam Ceremony:
Once in
1982, Pattabhishekam was performed to Sri Rama here. When the rituals were
happening, a monkey visited the temple, sat quietly, witnessed the whole
ceremony and left the place after the Pattabhishekam, without disturbing
anyone. According to the native villagers, there were no monkeys seen in the
village before and after this incident.
No one
knows how a lone monkey arrived at the temple exactly for the Pattabhishekam
ceremony. The villagers believe that it was Sri Hanuman himself, who came
and witnessed Sri Rama Pattabhishekam.
The
Temple
The
presiding deity graces in the sanctum Sanctorum under a Lotus tower (Pushpaka
Vimanam). In the front hall (Mandapam) there are shrines for Lakshminarayana, Vishwaksenar,
Namazhwar, Tirumangaiazhwar, Ramanuja and Mahadesikar. Rama graces from the
sanctum sanctorum with his consort Sita to his left and brother Lakshmana.
Since the Lord appears in the form of Mahavishnu, Mahalakshmi is on his chest.
Anjaneya
appears nearby worshipping Rama and Sita. Anjaneyar gives darshan inside the
Sannadhi facing the Lord with folded hands. Sri Hanuman in front of Sri Rama is
seen in a very humble gesture facing Sri Rama with his palm closing the mouth
in obedience. It is a rare statue and is called Sri Bhavya Hanuman.
On the
Makara Sankranti (Thai Pongal) day, Sri Rama goes for the Pari Vettai as he is
a descendent of Surya, Sun God. The Kothandarama Utsava deity is also seen in a
Chaturbhuja form with Sita to his right and Lakshmana to his left. An
interesting featuring of this several centuries old idol is that one finds
sharp nails on his fingers, the life line on the palm of his hand, his knee cap
and veins on his leg. One is also able to clearly see the individual fingers on
his hand. Rama is also seen wearing a ring on his finger.
Yet
another interesting feature here is that the Utsava deity’s left leg is a
little in front of his right leg, with the bow placed on his left leg almost in
a posture of being ready to break the bow and seeking Sita’s hand representing
the bow-bending episode in Mithila when the Lord held the bow pressing it with
his left leg. This form of Rama in temple is very rare.
The
uthsavar is made of a combination of five metals (Pancha loka) and is highly
adorable. The uthsavar (possession deity) is so beautiful with a gentle
smile on his face. This temple is small, in a serene atmosphere, with paddy
fields around.
There
are very few temples where Sri Ramar appears in Chaturbhuja form and the most
important among them is at Bhadrachalam. The Lord holds a chakra, Sanku in 2
hands and the other two hands are in the posture of blessing the devotees.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. The
devotees are advised to get in touch with the priest for darshan during other
timings.
Festivals
·
Sri Rama
Navami in Panguni (March-April),
·
Wedding
festival in the same month on Panguni Uthiram day
·
Tirukarthikai
in November-December
·
Sudarshana
Homam on February 21
Prayers
Couples
pray for lasting affinity, reunion of separated husband and wife and for remedy
from skin diseases offering Tulsi garlands and sugar candy. Devotees offer Thirumanjanam,
clothings (Vastras) and special pujas to the Lord.
Contact
Sri
Chaturpuja Kodandaramar Temple,
Via P.V.
Kalathur, Ponpadharkoodam – 603 405,
Kancheepuram
district, Tamilnadu
Phone: +91- 44 - 2744
1227
Mobile: +91 - 97890 49704
/ 94437 06842
Connectivity
This
temple is located in Ponpadharkoodam and it is located at a distance of 13 kms
from Kancheepuram. There are local buses every half hour (during morning and
evening) running between Chengalpet and Pon Vilaintha Kalathur. Take the
road into Chengalpet from the GST road and move towards Thirukazhukundram.
After the Court on the right, take the left to go towards Ottivakkam station.
After crossing the railway line, take the right to reach Pon Vilaintha
Kalathur. Ponpadharkoodam is about 4-5 kms from Pon Vilaintha Kalathur.
One can
reach Chengalpet by train or bus and local buses are there to PV Kalathur
although the frequency is less. Alternatively passenger trains between
Villupuram and Chengalpet stop at Ottivakkam station.
One can
take an auto/car from Chengalpet bus stand/railway station to reach this temple
within 20-30minutes. If one is using public transport, it would be ideal to
hire an auto or car from Chengalpet to and fro to all the temples. Nearest
Airport is Chennai Airport.
References