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.
