Manavala Mamuni spent his early days in Sikkil Kadaram
The house of Tiruvoimozhi Pillai is in a dilapidated condition, while the Thiruvarasu of Koora Kulothuma Dasa is being reconstructed North of the temple
Sikkil Kadaram (now Kothan Kulam) is a small and quiet village located
39kms from Ramanathapuram on the Tuticorin highway. The legend relating to Kotravan Kulam ( Pandya Kings were referred to as Kotravan) dates back to the 13th and 14th Century AD. Tiruvoimozhi Pillai ruled this region for a short period before being initiated into Vaishnavism by Koora Kulothuma Dasa.
It was that Koora Kulothuma Dasa, who on instructions from Pillai Lokacharya, brought Tiruvoimozhi Pillai to Sikkil Kadaram for initiating the latter into Vaishnavism.
It is also the place where renowned Vaishnavite Saint Manavala Mamuni spent his early childhood days before moving to Azhvaar Tirunagari. Kothan Kulam is the home town of Manavala Mamuni’s mother, who hailed from here.
At Sikkil Kadaram, just off the state highway is the over 700years old Sundararaja Perumal temple where Manavala Mamuni is seen in a South facing Sannidhi.
It was that Koora Kulothuma Dasa, who on instructions from Pillai Lokacharya, brought Tiruvoimozhi Pillai to Sikkil Kadaram for initiating the latter into Vaishnavism.
It is also the place where renowned Vaishnavite Saint Manavala Mamuni spent his early childhood days before moving to Azhvaar Tirunagari. Kothan Kulam is the home town of Manavala Mamuni’s mother, who hailed from here.
The house of the great Vaishnavite acharya Tiruvoimozhi Pillai, who learnt the 4000sacred verses here at Sikkil Kadaram, still exists here but is now in a dilapidated state and requires immediate attention.
At Sikkil Kadaram, just off the state highway is the over 700years old Sundararaja Perumal temple where Manavala Mamuni is seen in a South facing Sannidhi.
Legend
During
the Muslim Invasion of Srirangam, Pillai Lokacharya, Koora Kulothuma Dasa and
Thiru Kannamangai Aandan are believed to have saved the processional utsava
idol of Lord Ranganathaswamy temple from the 8th day Horse Vahana
Utsavam near the Panri Azhvaan Varaha Perumal Temple on the banks of Coloroon.
They took the idol to several places including Thiru Koshtiyur, Azhagar Koil and
Yaanaimalai (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2009/12/veda-narayana-perumal-kodikulam-madurai.html).
Deciding
to relinquish his kingdom, the then Pandya King in Madurai handed over the rule
to Tiruvoimozhi Pillai, a Brahmin. He also requested him to take care of his
wife and son.
Pillai
Lokacharya knew the greatness that Tiruvoimozhi Pillai was destined for and
directed Koora Kulothuma Dasa to initiate him into Vaishnavism.
However,
those were early days yet for Tiruvoimozhi Pillai who was lost in the charms of the
kingdom. One day, while he was on a procession on the elephant going around the
streets of Madurai, Koora Kulothuma Dasa chanted loudly the Thiruvirutham verses of Nam Azhvaar.
Turning Point in Tiruvoimozhi Pillai's life
Stunned
by these beautiful Thiruvirutham verses, he got down from the elephant, called on Koora Kulothuma Dasa and
asked him to provide more insights into these songs. It was then that Koora
Kulothuma Dasa tried to initiate him with the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham
verses.
Though
he showed interest initially, Tiruvoimozhi Pillai’s mind was distracted as it went
back and forth to the thoughts of his kingdom for he had just then begun to
enjoy the power of ruling Madurai. This angered Koora Kulothuma Dasa and he
threatened to walk out on the initiation of these sacred verses.
This
happened to be the turning point in the life of Tiruvoimozhi Pillai as he
decided to hand back the reigns to the son of the original king and surrendered
to Koora Kulothuma Dasa requesting him to continue with the initiation of the
Nalayira Divya Prabhandham.
As per
the direction of Pillai Lokacharya, Koora Kulothuma Dasa brought Tiruvoimozhi
Pillai to Sikkil Kadaram (now Kothan Kulam) to initiate him into Vaishnavism
and spread the messages of Vaishnavism.
It was
also Tiruvoimozhi Pillai who went to Azhvaar Tirunagari and renovated the place from
the forest that it was at that time. The descendents of Tiruvoimozhi Pillai continue
to live in Azhvaar Tirunagari. Sridhar Tiruvoimozhi Pillai, one such
descendent, recently presented the Gajendra Moksham puranam at Thiru Mogur
Divya Desam (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2014/03/thiru-mogur-gajendra-moksham-utsavam_23.html).
The Samadhi
of Koora Kulothama Dasa who was responsible for bringing Tiruvoimozhi Pillai to
Kotravan Kulam (the place of the Pandya King) is here just next to the
Sundararaja Perumal Temple.
Manavala
Mamuni, who spent his early days here at Sikkil Kadaram later went back to Azhvaar Tirunagari and then to Srirangam, where for a year Lord Ranganatha
listened to his Bhagavad Vishaya Kalakshepa explaining the meaning of and
providing insights into the Tiruvoimozhi verses.
As Guru
Dakshina to Manavala Mamuni, the lord presented the Dhaniyan ‘Srisailesa
Dayapatram…’ which to this day is recited at prominent Divya Desams such as
Tirumala, Srirangam and Thiruvallikeni.
The
Thiruvarasu of Koora Kulothuma Dasa, the house of Manavala Mamuni’s Acharya
Tiruvoimozhi Pillai and the house where Manavala Mamuni lived his early years
are all in dilapidated condition at Sikkil Kadaram.
Kuro Kulothuma Dasa's Thiruvarasu at Sikkil Kadaram
Given
their great contribution to Vaishnavite tradition, initiatives should be taken
to make these as historical monuments and should be safeguarded for
posterity. Also, the Thiruvarasu of Manavala Mamuni at Srirangam is now in a
state of dispute.With the
current CM belonging to that constituency, it is hoped that she will immediately direct the
authorities to hand over the ancient land/property for the sacred Thiruvarasu to become
a guarded monument.
Festivals
Currently,
only the 3day Pavitrotsavam in Aipasi is celebrated.
Quick Facts
Moolavar : Sundararaja Perumal East Facing
Standing Posture
Separate
Sannidhi: Manavala Mamuni South Facing Standing Posture
Time :
7am-12noon and 5pm-7pm
Contact : 94433
41163
How to reach
From
Ramnad, take Tuticorin bound express bus to get down in front of the temple at
Kothankulam.
Buses
ply every 15minutes on this route. It will take about 45minutes to reach the temple from
Ramnad.
Car from
Ramnad and back will cost Rs.750.
2 comments:
I will join anyone or people who are willing to renovate the house. I may be contacted on the following address:
S V Krishnan
3B Hyacinth 128 L B Road
Thiruvanmiyur Chennai 600041
044 24486660 9940095670 7200844998
krishnan1940@hotmail.com
Thank You Sir for your kind gesture.
Prabhu
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