Saligrama Kothandaramar Koil Punnai Nallur
The Only Ramar temple in India with all the moolavar deities
made of the sacred ‘Saligramam’ Stone 1400 year old Utsavar idols of Raama, Sita and Lakshmana
 ‘Saligarama Kothandaramar’ Koil is located in Punnai Nallur, about 7kms East of Thanjai Maa Mani Divya Desam,
on the Thanjavur-Nagapattinam Highway and about ˝km North of the Thanjavur Mariamman koil. This temple is said to be the Abhimaana
Sthalam of Neelamegha Perumal of Thanjai Maa Mani koil.
Saligrama
Moolavar This is possibly the only (Raamar) temple in India where the moolavar deities of Raama, Sita,
Lakshmana and Sugreeva have been made of the sacred ‘Saligramam’ stone. One normally finds the black Saligramam
(stone) in the shape of a small stone. Here at the Kothandaramar temple, each of the big sized moolavar idol (all of them
are in Standing Posture) is from the Saligramam stone. It is believed that a Nepal king (who was the son in law of Thanjavur)
presented the sacred ‘Saligramam’ stones to the Thanjavur king.
Historical Utsavar Idols The utsavar idols of Raama, Sita and Lakshmana that one sees today
are said to be 1400 years old. These were found buried at Puvanur village near Needamangalam about 25kms from here.
 Special Status for Vaanara King Sugreeva Another
feature at this temple is the special status assigned to the monkey king Sugreeva. It is believed that Raama, in recognition
of Sugreeva’s help in finding Sita, wanted the Vaanara King by his side.
Construction of the temple
 The temple was built by the Maratha king Pratap Singh, who lived in the 18th century and who contributed in no
small way to a number of Vishnu temples in and around Thanjavur. There are references to the fact that the Maratha queen Emunaambal
Bai set aside a lot of fertile land for the Kothandaramar temple. She also contributed in various other ways to the progress
of the temple. Maratha King Shivaji and Kaamatchiamba Bai also contributed in a big way to this temple.
Sun Signs - Another speciality Lord Hanuman is seen in a separate sannidhi
in a standing posture facing South with a lifted right hand and with a lotus in his left hand.
On the upper wall of
the Hanuman sannidhi, one finds stone carvings of the 12 sun signs. The belief is that devotees who stand under their respective
sun sign and offer sincere prayers to the Lord will be relieved from all the difficulties relating to their sun sign.
HayaGriva Sannidhi It is also believed that Lord Hayagriva
will assist in the education and intellectual learning for those who invoke his blessings here at the Kothandaramar temple
on the Thiruvonam day every month.
 Management of the temple The Kothandaramar
temple is under the management of Shri. Babaji Rajah Bhonsle, the current prince of the Thanjavur Palace.
A couple
of other Kothandaramar koil in Tamil Nadu are Eri Kaatha Ramar koil in Madurantakam and Ramar Koil in Vaduvur on the Thanjavur-Mannargudi
highway.
Quick Facts Moolavar
Deities : Saligrama Kothandaramar Standing Posture with Sita, Lakshmana, and Sugreeva Utsavar
: Raamar with Sita Devi and Lakshmana Temple Time : 7am to 12.30pm and 5pm to 830pm Priest : C. Venkatesa Bhattar @ 97897 42778 Contact Address : 4/32 Ramar
Sannathi Street Mariyammankovil(PO) Thanjavur 613501 Festivals : 9 day Rama Navami Utsavam in
Panguni – Brahomotsavam Garuda Sevai on Chaturthi day, Chariot procession on Navami day
How to reach the temple One can board the Thanjavur- Nagapattinam /Amma Pettai
and get down at Mariamman Koil stop.
Auto from Thanjavur bus stand/Railway Station / Thanjai Maa Mani Divya Desam will
charge Rs.125-Rs.150 for a two way trip.
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