Located 24kms South East of Thanjavur off the Pattukottai Highway and 14kms West of Mannargudi is the Kothandaramar temple at Vaduvur. This place is also referred to as Vakulaaranya Kshetram.
The Story
Originally this was a (Raja) Gopalan temple. Gopalan is seen facing South with Rukmini, Satyamabha and Shengamala Thaayar.
During the rule of Sarobhoji Raja of Thanjavur, it is believed that the idols of Rama and Sita were found under the Indian Fig Tree in the Thiruthuraipoondi Taluk. Sarabhoji Raja, whose plan it was to take it to Thanjavur, is said to have installed the deities in Vaduvur and built the Kothandaramar temple, on the request of the people of Vaduvur.
Kothandaramar, at Vaduvur, is seen as a handsome Lord (like the Raja Gopalan of Mannargudi) with a bow and arrow.
There is also a separate North Facing Sannidhi for Hayagriva.
Behind the temple to the west is a big lake.
Vedic Paatshaala
To the North of the Kothandaramar temple is the Vedic Paatshaala, started here in 2001. Vaduvur has a rich heritage and has been traditionally known for its strong Vedic Education. There is a family called ‘Puraanathaarargal’ who have been rendering ‘Bhaagavatha Paaraayanam’ for generations. About 400 years ago, the swami of Melkote is said to have come here and created his own vyakyanam of ThiruvaiMozhi (Divya Prabhandham). He was born on the same day as Ramanuja and hence was called ‘Saakshaath Swami’.
The Vedha Paatshaala in Vaduvur is an offshoot of the 85 year old Vedic Paatshaala in Mannargudi. There are currently about 50 students (including from Vizag and Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh) in the Paatshaala run by Srimad Andavan Ashram, Srirangam. Vaduvur Veera Valli Ganapadi Desikachari, who is well over 80 years, has been instrumental in imbibing Vedic knowledge into the young students for the last 50 plus years in Mannargudi and now Vaduvur.
Quick Facts
Moolavar : Kothandaramar with Sita, Lakshmanan, Hanuman
RajaGopalan, Rukmini, Satyabhama, Shengamala Thaayar
Time : 8am-12noon, 430pm-830pm
Contact : Govindarajan @ 94434 48834 / Oppili Deekshithar @ 98652 46471/ Badri Narayana Bhattar @ 04367 225398
Festivals
Rama Navami- Brahmotsavam (Panguni)
Karthigai 7 day Pavitrotsavam,
Puratasi Desigan, Hayagriva Utsavam,
Vaikasi- Vasantha Utsavam for Gopalan
How to reach Vaduvur
Buses every 10-15 minutes between Thanjavur and Mannargudi. It takes about 45minutes from Thanjavur.
Can also be reached via bus from Thiruvarur and Kumbakonam via Mannargudi
Where to stay
Best to stay in Thanjavur
No comments:
Post a Comment