Saturday, May 30, 2020

Kothandaramar Temple, West Mambalam – The Temple

Kothandaramar Temple, West Mambalam – The Temple
The temple is facing east with an entrance arch. Vasantha mandapam is on the opposite of the road. Hanuman Sannadhi is immediately after the entrance arch. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum antarala and Arthamandapam. The highlight of the temple is that Lord Ram is found seated on royal throne with his consort Sita on his left.  Hanuman is at his footstep and his brother Lakshman is found holding the royal umbrella.


This depiction of Pattabhisheka posture of Ram is similar to that of the famous Bhadrachalam temple. Hence, this temple of Kodanda Ramar is also called as the southern Bhadrachalam. In 1927 CE, the idols of Kodanda Ram (Ram holding bow) along with Sita and Lakshman are installed behind the idols of Pattabhisheka Rama. Thereafter, this temple is referred as Kodanda Ramar temple.


The bronze idols (Utsava idols) of Ram, Lakshman and Sita are also found in the main shrine. Vimanam has a beautiful sculpture showing Lord Pattabhiramar with Sita in his lap. The Vimanam has also sculptures of Lord Ranganathar and Yoga Narasimhar. A 4 pillared mandapam is in front of the main shrine.


There is a Yoga Narasimha shrine in this Temple. This shrine houses Yoga Narasimha along with the bronze idols of Srinivasa with Sri Devi &-Bhoo Devi and Krishna. There is also Ranganathar Shrine along with Sri Devi & Bhoo Devi and Brahma; the bronze idol is also found. Sanjeevi Parvatha Anjaneyar has a separate shrine. Anjaneyar is having Sanjeevi Parvatha hill in his right hand and his facing north (Gubera corner) is considered very special.


There shrines of Ranganayaki, Andal, Kulasekara Alwar, Alwars, Manavala Mamunigal and Udayavar in the Temple premises. A clean temple tank is also present within the temple campus. The temple tank is seen next to the Thayar Shrine. The temple has a small Nandavanam also. Nandavanam is on the back side of sanctum. The large tank situated adjacent to the temple is called Hanumanth Tirtham.