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On this day of Saraswati Puja (worship of the Goddess of Knowledge), the ninth

day of Navarathri. God is an integral part of advaita philosophy and worshiping

of Saraswati is to symbolize the surrenderance of our ignorance to the supreme

to attain the Vidya (wisdom or supreme knowledge). This article is on the only

ancient temple for the Goddess of Supreme knowledge.

 

warmest regards

 

Ram Chandran

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This article is emailed to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran )

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

The Goddess of Knowledge reigns supreme

Koothanur near Mayiladuthurai has a temple for Goddess

Saraswathi. PUSHPA LAKSHMAN writes about this rare shrine.

 

TAMIL NADU is famous for its beautiful temples, especially in and

around the Tiruchi-Thanjavur belt. While some of these temples,

such as the nine Navagraha temples, Vaitheeswarankoil temple,

Brihadeeswarar temple, Thirukkadayur Abhirami temple and

Oppilayappan temple are famous, there are hundreds of other

temples, which are unique though not very popular.

 

The temple for Goddess Saraswati, which is situated in Koothanur,

near Mayiladuthurai, is one of such. It is the only known ancient

temple for the Goddess of knowledge. It is believed, while the

Supreme Mother resides as the Goddess of Valour (Durga/Kali) in

Kolkata, She is the Goddess of Wealth (Mahalakshmi) in Mumbai and

the Goddess of Learning (Saraswati) in the South.

 

Koothanur lies in the Tiruvarur-Mayiladuthurai route, in a small,

serene and scenic village called Poonthottam. Previously called

Ambalpuri, Koothanur got its name after it was gifted to the

Tamil poet, Ottakoothar, by the Chola king, Rajaraja Chozha II.

The place is connected by good roads from Kumbakonam, Tiruvarur

and Mayiladuthurai.

 

There are many stories of miracles attached to the temple. With

Her grace, the mute, it is believed, have been able to speak and

people have been blessed with the ability to write or compose

poems. Musicians sing here and many even choose to perform here

first. Instrumentalists have puja performed for their instruments

here. Apart from art and culture, Goddess Saraswati also showers

Her blessings for the education of children. Many parents see to

it that the education of their wards begin on Vijayadasami Day,

after the initiation ceremony at this temple.

 

The shops that sell coconuts etc., outside the temple for puja

also stock notebooks, pencils and pens, which are kept at the

Devi's feet for blessings and then used by the students who come

here for worship. A noticeboard asks the students to write their

names, address and the roll number on a piece of paper and put it

in the hundi after praying for success! It is believed the

Goddess blesses them for good and positive results. In the last

century, this temple has seen three kumbabhishekams- in the years

1941,1968 and 1987. Navaratri is festive time here as it is in

any other Devi temple. On full moon days, Moola nakshatra days

(Goddess Saraswati's star) and Wednesdays, special pujas and

abhishekams are performed.

 

The moolavigraham enchants devotees as she is the embodiment of

kindness itself. Her expression is so serene and calm even as She

is majestic. She is seated on a white lotus in Padmasana, adorned

by a pure white silk sari, has a book in Her lower left hand, Her

lower right hand showing the chinmudra, Aksharamala in Her right

upper hand, and Amrithakalasam in Her left upper hand. Both eyes

are full of compassion.

 

The third eye denotes Gnanasakshas. Her enigmatic smile

captivates the minds of the devotees.

 

G. Srinivasan writes from Thanjavur:

 

The renovation of the Saraswathi temple will start on October 26,

Vijayadasami day, according to Mr. K. Jayaraman, trustee, and Mr.

P. Nandagopal, executive officer of the temple. As it is now 13

years since Kumbabhishekam was last held (in 1987), it has been

decided to renovate the temple, Mr. Jayaraman said. Devotees may

send their contributions to Secretary, Koothanoor Sri

Mahasaraswathy Sevasamithi, Koothanoor, Poonthottam P.O. 609503,

Tiruvaroor District, Tamil Nadu.

 

Navaratri festival is celebrated in a grand manner in the temple.

A unique feature of Saraswati Puja every year is the devotees'

offer of flowers at the feet of the Goddess. On October 26 and

27, the Goddess will be taken in a procession on the "Hamsa

Vahana".

 

The temple has one prahara and on the south-west side of the

temple is a unique Narthana Vinayaka, said to have emerged on its

own (Swayambu). The deity is seen standing firmly on one foot

(right), with the left leg at a higher level. The trunk is seen

taking "modakam, His favourite, the right hand holds the

"Angusapasam" and the left hand is the ``Abaya Hastham".

 

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