Thanjavur

The name Thanjavur will bring the gigantic Shri Brahadeeswara temple, also known as Big Temple popularly, in out thoughts. This temple was built by Shri Rajaraja Cholan, a Chola dynasty King . People who are familiar with Thanjavur will also remember the renowned temple of Shri Mariamman of Punnaiyanallur, situated six kilometres east of Thanjavur. People who follow the Shri Vaishnava cult will remember the Shri Thivia Desam Shri Maamani Koil, where Shri Neelameka Perumal is the presiding deity and in whose praise Shri Thirumangai Azhvar had sung beautiful paasuras.

Maratha's contribution to Thanjavur

Unfortunately, many people are unaware of another beautiful and ancient temple built during the reign of Maratha King Maharaja Shri Pratap Singh (1739–63). Shri Kodhanda Rama Swami Temple of Punnaiyanallur bestowed the benevolence (Abimanam in Tamil) of Shri Maamani Temple is hardly a minute's walk away from Shri Marriamman Temple.

According to the Vaishnava cult, the temples where the Azhvars have sung in praise of the main deity are known as Divya Desam. Vaishnava Temple near a Divya Desam is awarded the benevolence of the Divya Desam, thereby the temple becomes an abimana kshetram. For this, the utsava murthy of the Divya Desam will be present during the Mahakumbahbhisekam of the latter temple. This Kodhanda Rama Swami temple is one such temple to receive the beneficiary from the Divya Desam Shri Maamani temple of Shri Neelameka Perumal to become an Abimana Kshetram.

Sri Kodhanda Rama Swami Temple

This temple is located very near the Shri Mariamman temple in Punnaiyanallur. The five-tier Raja Gopuram will welcome the devotees from the distance. To reach the entrance of the temple one has to climb eleven steps. On entry through the main Raja Gopuram, one can see the pillared open mandapam in which the bali peetam and flag post will be seen. By making a namaskaram at the bali peetam the devotee will put all the ego then enter the temple. You can see the main temple, which is east-facing, the Alankara mandapam and sannidhi of Sri Anjaneya facing south, and the sannadhi of Sri Sudarshan Alwar facing north. A raised platform on both sides on the western end of the main mandapam is seen. Neatly painted 'vahanas' of the temple are kept in these plateforms. After seeking the permission of Sri Garudalwar next to the flag post one enters a fairly big, closed mandapam. Following this, a 'mun mandapam' and then the 'Garbhagraham' are seen.

After offering prayers to Lord Sri Rama and His parivar, take a parikrama of the main temple. First, offer your prayer to Sri Sudarshan Alwar. Moving further one could see the mandapam running along the boundary of the temple. All along the wall of this long mandapam paintings depicting the tale of Sri Rama are seen. It is a feast to the eye.

Excellently carved figures depicting many postures of Sri Vishnu during various avatars adorn the main Vimanam. At the end of the north prakara, one can see Sri Rama padam under the 'sthala virksha'. Further, some distance away the Alankara mandapam of Sri Anjaneya is seen.

After offering prayers to the Lord Anjaneya here get back to the flag post, and bali peetam offer namaskarams. You will see that the Lord has vanquished your ego, and now take back home the Lord's blessings alone.

Shaligram Ramar

The main deities of this temple Shri Kodhanda Ramar, Sita, Lakshmana, and Anjaneya Swami, are made of Shaligram, a rare fossil stone found normally in Nepal. The main deities are carved excellently in accordance with the Shilpa Sastras. It is rare to find the main deities of the temple carved in the Shaligram stone.

The uniqueness of this temple is that one can see Sri Sugriva along with Sri Rama in the main Garbhagraham, which is also very rare.

If one feels that the main deities are beautiful, he has only to wait to see the utsava murthis, whose beauty is par excellent. Shri Kodhanda Ramar, Janaki, and Lakshmana are the three utsava murthis. The sculpted utsava murthi of Shri Rama matches the vivid description given in the Sundra kandam of Valmiki Ramayanam.

Shri Jaya Veera Anjaneya Swami

Many devotees visit this temple for worshipping the Shri Jaya Veera Anjaneya Swami. Apart from the Shaligram shilpa of Shri Anjaneya Swami in the main Gharbhagraha of this temple, there a separate Alankara Mantapa where one can see Shri Jaya Veera Anjaneya Swami. As a symbol of courage, His lankoolam (tail) is seen raised above the head. His right hand is seen raised giving blessings to all His devotees. In the left hand, he holds a lotus flower—the symbol of victory [jaya]. Shri Anjaneya Swami meets Mata Shri Sita in Lanka, tells her about Shri Ramachandra Murthi, and thus enables Sita to forget her sorrows. He returns to Shri Rama to narrate the presence of Mata Sita Devi in Lanka. Here, Lord Shri Anjaneya Swami is seen as a 'Jaya Veera' - having victoriously accomplished the Sri Rama-kaingkarya.

Rasi Mandalalm

The complete Rasi Mandalalm [the twelve houses of the various Grahas as generally represented in a birth chart] is depicted nicely on the inside of the roof of the Alankara Mantapam housing the idol of Sri Jayaveera Anjaneya. Corresponding to those houses marked on the roof there is another chart down below on the floor with twelve houses in different colour slabs. These colours are related to the respective Rasis depicted on the roof. The devotee should offer his prayers to Sri Sri Jayaveera Anjaneya standing on the colour slab corresponding to their Rasi, to have their wishes fulfilled. This specialty of this temple cannot be seen in any other temple.

The Jaya Veera Anjaneya here will bless one and all those who come to Him with devotion. He bestows on them the victory in their mission that abides in the Dharma.

For further details of this ancient temple, you may kindly contact:
Shri C. Ventakesa Bhattar,
Sri Kodhanda Rama Swami Temple
Punnaiyanallur
Mariamman Kovil (P.O) :: THANJAVUR - 613501

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SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE

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Ed [Prior to July 2001]
updates: Sep 2019, Dec 2024

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