Kandira Manikkam Kothanda Ramar Temple

A 79 year old Priest who performs Aradhanam and conducts utsavams despite a Hip Fracture 

Narayanan Bhattar is frail looking and has had a hip fracture in recent years. His hands too are in a fragile state and has been advised against carrying heavy items but his commitment to Lord Kothandarama is such he continues to do Aradhanam at the temple in Kandira Manikkam, located on the Nannilam-Nachiyar Koil highway, even when his health condition at 79 is not conducive to him travelling from his hereditary location of Paruthicheri. He has been performing this service for the last 37 years having started way back in 1983. 

Once Vibrant Location

Remotely located, this was once a vibrant temple with an agraharam on all the four streets comprising of Saivites and Vaishnavites. But as with other remote locations, the original inhabitants made their way out of Paruthicheri and Kandira Manikkam seeking greener pastures in cities. 

Narayanan Bhattar was one of the few who stayed back to continue to take care of the Lord Kothandarama seen in a grand South Facing Standing posture along with Sita and Lakshmana. Anjaneya is seen in a devotional ‘anjali’ posture. Thirumanjanam is conducted regularly at the temple. Every No Moon Day, he does special prarthanai archanai. 

A favourite of Narayana Bhattar is the Navarathri Utsavam where he presents a different variety of Sundal on each day of the Utsavam with a grand alankaram for Thayar.

Despite his physical challenges, he often travels to Madras and goes around the city by bus to meet devotees to garner support for the Utsavams. 

His son Raman Bhattar completed his Vedic Education at the Patshala in Madurantakam and then decided to head back to Paruthicheri in the 1990s to take care of the two Rama temples. 

The temple also houses a Varadaraja Perumal sannidhi where the Lord is seen with Sri and Bhoo Devi Thayar in an East facing Standing Posture. There is a separate sannidhi for Perundevi Thayar. There is a Surya Pushkarani next to the temple. A special feature at the temple is that the well inside the temple complex is believed to have never dried and is always filled with water. 

This is a temple that dates back to the Chola Period. The temple was renovated during the rule of Sarabhoji Raja. Aradhanam is performed as per Pancharatra Agama.

The Rama temple in Paruthicheri has been due of renovation for several years. The approval of the HR & CE has been secured and it is expected that the work will start once the temple reopens after the lock down. 

Raman Bhattar can be reached on 99446 04083

Kandira Manikkam Temples is located about 10 kms East of Nachiyar Koil (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2016/12/nachiyar-koil-divya-desam.html) and a few kms North of Paruthiyur Ramar Temple (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2013/09/paruthiyur-kothandarama-temple.html).

When here, also visit Sri Vanjiyam (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/08/srivanchiyam-varadaraja-perumal-temple.html)