Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Kothandarama Swamy Temple, Kanjanur, Thanjavur

Kothandarama Swamy Temple, Kanjanur, Thanjavur
Kothandarama Swamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Kanjanur near Aduthurai Town in Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Varadaraja Perumal / Raja Narayana Perumal. Though the presiding deity is Varadaraja Perumal, the temple is called as Kothanda Rama Swamy Temple. There was Kothanda Rama Swamy Temple in ancient times in this place. Hence, the temple is still called as Kothanda Rama Swamy Temple.

Legends
As per legend, Saint Haradatta was born in a Vaishnava family in Kanjanur. His birth name was Sudarshana. He was a devotee of Lord Vishnu in his early ages, but later became an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He used to worship Lord Agneeswarar and Mother Karpagambikai daily. Vaishnavites in the village were not happy with his devotion towards Lord Shiva. They tried to convince him of the superiority of Vaishnavism. Nothing moved Haradatta from his devotion to Lord Shiva.

Vaishnavites in the village asked him to prove his devotion by sitting on a heated tripod in Varadaraja Perumal Temple and chant Namashivaya. He accepted their challenge, sat on the heated tripod and proclaimed the superiority of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva along with his mother Parvathi appeared before Haradatta and blessed him. Vaishnavites were astonished to see this miracle and even few of them got converted to Shaivism.

The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an unfinished Rajagopuram. There is no flag staff in the temple premises. Garudazhwar Shrine can be found facing the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Mukha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Varadaraja Perumal / Raja Narayana Perumal. He is housed in the sanctum along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

He is four armed. He is holding Shanka and Chakra in his hands and showing Varada and Abhaya Hastha. Utsava Idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Chakrathazhwar and Vishwakasena can be seen in the sanctum. Dvarapalas can be seen guarding the sanctum. There is a separate shrine for Lord Agneeswarar and Mother Karpagambikai to the right side of the sanctum in the Mukha Mandapam in the temple premises.

There is an idol of Haradatta near Garudazhwar Shrine. He is seen sitting in tripod and keeping his hands in worshipping posture above his head. There is a shrine for Jayaveera Anjaneya in the prakaram. He is about 1.5 feet tall. He is seen carrying the Sanjeevini Mountain in his hand and holding mace in another hand.
Prayers
It is believed that Varadaraja Perumal Temple should be visited first before visiting Kanjanur Agneeswarar Temple. If anyone does Shukra Parihara Pooja in Kanjanur Agneeswarar Temple without visiting this temple would render no benefits to them. Devotees pray here to get relief from marriage obstacles, longevity of husband life, Child boon, relief from debts and relief from legal disputes.
Contact
Kothandarama Swamy Temple,
Kanjanur, Thiruvidaimaruthur Taluk,
Thanjavur District – 609 804
Phone: +91 435 241 3310
Mobile: +91 94431 76051 / 94427 78965 / 93823 41239
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 600 meters from Kanjanur Bus Stop, 5 Kms from Aduthurai Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Aduthurai Railway Station, 6 Kms from Aduthurai, 17 Kms from Kumbakonam, 18 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 22 Kms from Mayiladuthurai, 56 Kms from Thanjavur and 110 Kms from Trichy Airport. Kanjanur is situated on Mayiladuthurai to Kallanai Route. Mini buses ply every 15 minutes from Aduthurai. There are also buses from Mayiladuthurai via Thiru Kodikkaval.
Government Buses 2 A & 54 and private buses Green Bus & Ramalingam Bus ply from Kumbakonam Bus Stand to Kanjanur. Aduthurai Town is situated on the Mayiladuthurai – Kumbakonam highway, and buses are available from Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam. Various private and government long haul buses stop here connecting this town with major cities like Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai. The Temple is situated at about 6 Kms from Aduthurai.
Location