Mudikondan Kothandarama Temple

Unique three bend posture of Rama at this temple

Hanuman’s angry gesture of standing outside resulted in lack of growth of Plantain trees in Mudikondan

 

Located just over 20kms from Mayiladuthurai on the Tiruvarur Highway is the Kothanda Rama temple in Mudikondan, a Purana Sthalam where Lord Rama is seen in a unique and rare posture with three bends in his body- the face is seen in one direction, the hip in another and the leg in a third bend. This posture is referred to as ‘Uthama Lakshana’.

In search of Sita, Rama reached this place and the ashram of Bharadwaja Rishi, who requested Rama to stay with him and have food at his ashram.  With his mind on securing Sita back, Rama promised to return to this place along with Sita. Having defeated the Lankan king Ravana, Rama, as promised, landed here in the Pushpak Vimana along with Sita.

Rama’s return trip to Mudikondan

Excited to play host to Rama, Bharadwaja Rishi requested Rama to provide darshan with his crown (Mudi). When Rama suggested that he could not possibly do this without invoking the blessings of his pooja idol Lord Ranganatha, Bharadwaja Rishi exercised his powers and brought Ranganatha to this place.

In the meanwhile, with this stopover at Mudikondan, Rama asked Hanuman to make a quick trip to Nandigram to inform Bharatha that he was on his way back after his 14year exile and that he will reach Ayodhya shortly as promised to him earlier.

Hanuman’s angry gesture

By the time Hanuman returned, Rama had adorned the crown and finished his meals. Saddened by the fact that his Lord did not wait for his return and not having set aside a plantain leaf for him, Hanuman decided to stand outside. Hence, at this temple, one finds Hanuman Sannidhi outside the temple complex. Also, it is believed that Hanuman in his anger prayed that plantain should not grow here. To this day, there is no growth of plantain trees in Mudikondan, though one would find a number of trees outside this village.

As Rama displayed his crown here, this place came to be called Mudikondan (the one with the crown).

The temple in its current form is believed to be 1200 years old.

Inscriptions

There is a several centuries old inscription inside the upper wall of the Madapalli.

Festivals

10day Rama Navami Utsavam with Thiru Kalyanam on the last day

Quick Facts

Moolavar         : Kothandarama East Facing Standing Posture with Sita and Lakshman

Temple Time    : 9am-12noon and 6pm-7pm

Priest              :  (Koviladi) Jawahar Bhattar @ 96006 38095 

Rangarajan Bhattar@ 9443262967/98423 64760 (he comes every day from Pulivalam) / Trustee Umasankar 94440 48246

How to Reach

Buses every half - hour from Mayiladuthurai and Tiruvarur. One can reach Mudikondan in 40minutes from Mayiladuthurai by bus and in half hour from Tiruvarur

Broad Gauge Rail Service is being resumed between Mayiladuthurai and Tiruvarur in July 2012