PON VILAINTHA KALATHUR.

[Guest guest]

SRIRAMAJAYAM

 

SRI KOTHANDA RAMASWAMY TEMPLE

 

PON VILAINTHA KALATHUR

 

TIRUKAZHUKUNDRAM TALUK

 

KANCHIPURAM DISTRICT

 

TAMILNADU

 

 

 

Temple Location:

 

P V Kalathur village is the abode of historically famous temples. This village

is situated in Kanchipuram District, Tamilnadu. The village with high green

fields is 10 km south of Chengalpattu and 10 km west of Tirukazhukundram. It is

said that the village derives its name because many years back gold was

harvested in the fields. One can reach the place by train or bus.

 

History:

 

 

 

Famous poets Pugazhendi, who sang 'Nala Venba' was born here. Great persons like

blind poet Veeraraghava Mudaliar, Padikkasu Thambiran, Kootruva Nayanar [one of

the 63 nayanmars of saivaite tradition] lived here.

 

Sri Kothandaramar [Pattabhi Ramar] shrine in the Sri Parankusa Agraharam in the

PVK village was built several hundred years before.

 

During turbulant period when the temple was devastated, it was renovated some

500 years ago by the third Pointiff [Jeer] Sri Parankusa Yateendra Mahadesikan

of Sri Ahobila Mutt.

 

Later on the sixth Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt, also known as Sri Shashta Parankusa

Yateendra Mahadesikan, renovated the temple again and established one of the Six

Agraharams in the village by performing sacred rites [brahma Vaasthu]. Thus the

Agraharam got its name Parankusa Agraharam commemorating both the third and

sixth Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt. All these details can be seen even today in the

records of Sri Ahobila Mutt.

 

Srivann Satagopa Sri Ranganatha Yatheendra Maha Desikan, 35th Jeer of Sri

Ahobila Mutt, also known as 'Kalathur Azhagiya Singar', 'Kali Karnan' and great

national congress leader of independence struggle, who is referred to as Grand

Father of Tamil Nadu, Salem Sri C Vijayaraghavachariar were born in the

Parankusa Agraharam of PV Kalathur. One can be proud of such noble sons of the

soil.

 

Now and then the temple renovation has been done and recently on 16.3.2000 Sri

Kothandaramar, Sri Dharba Sayana Sethuramar Kainkarya Sabha performed the 'Ashta

Bandhana Maha Samprokshanam'. This was done in the traditional 'vaikanasa'

system by renowned Rig Vedists. The temple adhere to Vaikanasa and Sri Ahobila

Mutt traditions.

 

The 'Moolavar' is Pattabhi Ramar in the coronation setup. Seated in the throne

with his consort Sri Sita on his left lap with Ilaya Perumal Sri Lakshmanan

standing to his right. The Utsava Murthy is Sri Kothanda Ramar. Also the six

foot Srinivasa with his two consorts, Sridevi and Bhoodevi as moolavar is there

to bless the devotees. Sri Dharba Sayana Sethuramar sannidhi is there within the

same temple separately.

 

 

 

Salem Sri. C Vijayaraghavachariar built Sri Dharba Sayana Sethuramar sannidhi

about 100 years ago. He did not live to see the samprokshanam of this sannidhi.

But in 1977 his grandson and the then Rajya Sabha MP Sri. RT Parthasarathy and

his family donated the moolavar statue and the village celebrated the Maha

Samprokshanam in the presence of the 44th Jeer of Sri Ahobila Mutt.

 

One of the notable features of this sannidhi is that we can observe

"Thiruppullani Sethuramaha" and "Sri Dharba Sayana Sethuramaha" carved on the

crown and pedastal of the utsavar, respectively.

 

Festivals:

 

Poojas twice a day

 

 

 

Thirumanjanam and procession is performed everymonth on 'Punarvasu' star for

SriRama and on 'Sravanam' star for SriSrinivasa.

 

 

 

During Fridays of Adi and Thai, Sri Padmavathi Thayar, consort of Lord Srinivasa

graces all devotees from oonjal.

 

 

 

Kalyana Utsavam is performed on Thiru Adi Pooram, Panguni Uthiram, Sriramanavami

and on some special days every year by donors.

 

 

 

During the Navarathri festival The Lord and His Consort come in procession and

graces everyone from the oonjal on all the nine days.

 

 

 

Apart from this procession is taking place on special days like, Tamil New Year

Day, Deepavali, Thirukkarthikai, Vaikunta Ekadasi etc.

 

 

 

Also every month on Uthiram star for Thayar and on Rohini star for Lord Krishna

and on Kettai star for Sri Adivann Satagopan [1st Jeer of Sri AhobilaMutt]

special poojas are performed.

 

Now and then birth anniversaries of Azhwars and Acharyas are celebrated.

 

In Aippasi month Pavithra utsavam and Anna Koti Utsavam is celebrated every

year.

 

Special Feature:

 

It is very rare to see Lord Rama in sitting posture and Sri Dharba Sayana

Sethuramar in retiring pose.

 

Management:

 

Since inception and till Oct'89 people of Sri Parankusa Agraharam were trustees

and managed the affairs of the temple. But subsequently the temple management is

under HR & CE of TN Govt. The Officer in charge of Padalathri Narasinga Perumal

of Singaperumalkoil is in charge for this temple also. Four people are serving

this temple.

 

Appeal: Bhagavatas are requested to visit the temple and have the grace of THE

LORD.

 

Regards to all

 

kpnarasimhan

 

24894668

 

 

 

 

KPNarasimhan

B-2,"SRINRUHARIPRIYA"

New No.23, Kuppiah Street

West Mambalam

Chennai - 600 033.

Ph: 4894668.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Respected Bhaktas:

 

There is also another temple closeby equally of ancient origin. It is a

Laxmi Narasimhar temple.

 

Though the renovation is an ongoing activity at the Ramar temple, the pace

and extent to which it is taking place leaves a lot to be desired. This is

basically because the temple is in the interiors and not many people are

willing to take the detour and attempt to visit, as also due to paucity of

finances. The locals somehow have been doing a good job of managing the

show.

 

This writer has visited both the temples on many occasions. Anyone wishing

to visit, may take the liberty of contacting the undersigned for any help.

One of his close maternal uncle choose this out-of-the way place because of

the peaceful atmosphere and the temples.

 

Generally, since not many visitors come, the temple doors are kept locked.

One has to locate the main priest etc. and the locals will help in this.

However, it is a waste of time to wait. You may therefore plan your visits

and try to inform the temple authorities a day or two in advance to avoid

long waiting. There are no good hotels etc. at that place. Please therefore

arrange your own food/water from Chengelput. Auto rickshaws ply from

Chengelput to PV K routinely.The daytime charge is around 60/- one way and

the night time charge is around 80/- . Preferable to make own transport

arrangements. There are mofussil and other local buses, but timings are

totally erratic. Staying is not possible there.

Trains also are a problem because of the recent conversion from meter to

Broad gauge. Randomly passenger trains stop briefly at Ottivakam station.

 

The Ramar temple is practically deserted with only the villagers visiting.

So it is quite easy to get a very close darshan of the Lord in his

reclining pose. One take drink the beauty of the Lord's relaxed posture in

the silent, peaceful environment at very close proximity.

 

 

Om tat Sat

Tat tvam asi

[Guest guest]

Dear Shri Ramachandran,

It was nice of you to write about PV Kalathur temples.

I am from that place and recently also I was there for the Laxmi Narasimha

Swami Temple function.

What can we do together for preserving those great ancient temples for our

future generations.

You all can be assured of my humble assistance however small it may be, with

lots of love for Laxmi Narasimha swami and Kothandarama swami temple.

I am planning to be in India starting October and please email me contacts

of those who could join and do our part to preserve our tradition.

 

with prayers

 

hari om

 

Swathi Iyengar