Adi Kesava Perumal Temple & Koorathazhwan Temple / ஸ்ரீ ஆதிகேசவ பெருமாள் கோவில் & கூரத்தாழ்வான் சன்னதி, Kooram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Adi Kesava Perumal temple was a part of visit to the Temples and heritage sites around Kanchipuram, scheduled on 10^th July 2021. This temple is locally known as Koorathazhwan Temple. Although the main temple is dedicated to Sri Adi Kesava Perumal, there is a separate temple for Koorathazhwan, who was born from this place.

Moolavar  : Sri Adi Kesava Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Pankaja Valli  

Some of the important features of this temple are….

A 4 pillar mandapa is in front of the Temple. Sri Vedanta Desikar’s sannidhi is on the left side of the 4 pillar mandapam.  The temple is facing east with Deepa sthambam, Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudan. Moolavar Sri Adikesava Perumal is of chatur bhujam in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. In koshtam Narasimhar, Perumal in Yoga posture, Perumal sitting on Adhiseshan and Durgai with ashta bhujam.

In Prakaram, Sudarshana / Chakrathalwar, Sri Pankajavalli Thayar, Andal, Anjaneyar and Koorathazhwan Sannidhi.

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, Antarala, artha mandapam, Maha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a raised upana and the adhisthana is of padabandha adhisthana. The roaring lions on the corners of the original shrine represents the pallava architecture. Dwarapalakas made of stucco are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. As per ASI Pallava period painting was found inside the sanctum sanctorum super imposed with lime washing. Seated Maha Vishnu in various postures are found on the three sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Latter period Stone Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the extended mandapa.

Since the Temple was built during Pallava period, sand stones are used. Now all the walls are plastered along with Koshta images with lime mortar.

A 3 Tier Dravida vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum. There is no images on the Vimana. In Valabi only madhala. The mandapa wall on the north side is supported by a supporting wall to save from the further damage.  The temple tank is on the western side of the Temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

The original temple was constructed during Pallava period and latter extended by Chozhas and Vijayanagaras. As per the inscription this place was called as Utrukattu kottathu Nirvelur Nattu Kooram.

Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 12^th reign year inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam to Subramanya deva and burning of lamp from the interest earned, by Kumazhur Chettiya(..)viththan of the same Village during the sabha assembled in the mukha mandapam. For the same Gold and Land was gifted.

Rajaraja-I’s  inscription of his meikeerthi and certain grants.

Kovijaya Nirupathungabarmar’s 17^th reign year inscription records the gift of land after sale by the Paduvur Kottam Karai nattu ( ..) Narayana Chathurvedimangala sabha.

The Chozha King Parakesari Varman ( Aditya-I, 946 CE ) on the south wall of Adi Kesava perumal Temple mentions the Sabha of Kuram met at Tiruvapadi – Sri Kudam and decides that land Tax should be paid for using the water for irrigation through the heads of concerned variyam.

Parthivendra Varman’s (967 CE) 11^th reign year inscription records the sale of land exempt from taxes by the Village assembly to a private individual for building a rest house and serving drinking water in it to all wayfarers  during summer.

Nrupathunga

Vikrama Varman’s 17^th reign year inscription ( 890 CE) on the pillar records that an undertaking was given by the Sabha of Kooram after receiving 4 kalanju Gold for a charity.

Another Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 10^th reign year inscription records the endowment of cleaning the floors of this temple. For the same was gifted.  This was decided by the sabha assembled at a house mutram gifted by a Meenavan ( fisherman..?) mooventha velar.

The two inscriptions Maduraiyum kondeezhamum puguntha Koparakesari’s 40^th reign year inscription and Dantivarman’s 12^th reign year inscriptions mentions the sabha of Kooram and the inscription is incomplete. An inscription on the pillar mentions that the pillar was set up by a Goldsmith. Another incomplete inscription mentions the names of Pallava King as Marasan and Mamallan.

The Chakkarathalwar sannidhi was built and samprokshanam was conducted in the year 2004. Koorathazhwan sannidhi samprokshanam was conducted in the year 2004. Dwajasthambam was installed in the year 2011.

Telugu Inscription tablet

SRI KOORATHAZHWAN SANNADHI

Sri Koorathazhwan is in a separate temple. Moolavar Koorathazhwan is in sitting posture with beard. The life history of Koorathazhwan is in the praharam wall. There is no images in the koshta niches.

Pillai Lokacharya, Manavala Mamunigal, Ramanujar, Parasara Bhattar, Senai Mudhalvar, Nammalwar and Thirumangai Alwar are on the west side of the mukha mandapam.

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, maha mandapam and a Mukha mandapam.  A Three tier vimana is on sanctum sanctorum with stucco images.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Inscription at Adi Kesava Perumal Temple 

Inscription at Koorathazhwan Sannidhi

LEGEND

The brief life history of  Sri Koorathazhwan is as follows. Koorathazhwan was born as Kuresan at Kooram in the year 1010 CE. He was a great disciple of Ramanuja and associated in all his endeavors. Kuresan married Andal, at the younger age and were blessed with two Children. Admired the teachings of Ramanuja, Kuresan joined with him as disciple at Kanchipuram. Their friendship was separated briefly when Ramanuja moved to Srirangam. When Ramanuja wants to compose Sri Bhasya, Kuresan also accompanied with him to Kashmir where he memorized the entire text of Vritti. This helped Ramanuja to compose the Sri Bhasya.

When the Chozha King Rajaraja Anabaya Chozha ( believed to be Kulothunga-II ), also called as Thiruneetru Chozha Bhoopathy, was against Vaishnavam. Govindaraja Perumal was thrown in to the sea by him. Also he called Ramanuja for a debate. Hearing this Kuresan asked Ramanuja to leave Srirangam.  He dressed himself as Ramanuja and went for the debate. At the end, he plucked out his both eyes, for not to see the people against Vaishnavam. In the mean time Ramanuja went to Melkote ( Karnataka) and returned back after the debate.    ( It was learnt that Kulothunga –II died due to cancer, hence called as Kirumikanda Chozha ). After Ramanuja returned to Srirangam they once again got re-united. To the prayer of Ramanuja Sri Kanchipuram Varadharaja Perumal gave back his eye sights. Koorathazhwan lived for some time and attained  the lotus feet of Mahavishnu. The Thaniyan composed by Koorathazhwan on Sri Ramanuja and combining Kooranathar are as follows.

யோ நித்யம் அச்யுத பதாம்புஜ யுக்மருக்ம

வ்யாமோஹதஸ் ததிதராணி த்ருணாயமேநே

அஸ்மத் குரோர் பகவதோsஸ்ய தயைகஸிந்தோ:

ராமாநுஜஸ்ய சரணௌ ஶரணம் ப்ரபத்யே

அர்வாஞ்சோ யத்பத ஸரஸிஜ த்வந்த்வமாச்ரித்ய பூர்வே

மூர்த்நா யஸ்யாந்வயமுபகதா தேசிகாமுக்திமாபு:

ஸோயம் ராமனுஜமுனிரபி ஸ்வீயமுக்திம் கரஸ்தாம்

யத் ஸம்பந்தாதமநுத கதம் வர்ண்யதே கூரநாத:

arvaanchO yath padha sarasija dhvandhvam aasrithya poorvE

moordhnaa yasyaanvayam upagathaa desikaa mukthimaapu:

sOyam ramanuja munir api sveeya mukthim karastAm

yath sambhandhAdh amanutha katam varnayathe kooranatha:

It is believed that Koorathazhwan is the incarnation of Lord Rama.  Koorathazhwan plucked his eyes on his own, when he was asked to write as Shiva is the only great God by the Chozha King. He got back the eyes sight after Ramanujar prayed to Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal. So devotees prays Koorathazhwan and Adi Kesava Perumal to get relieved from the eye related ailments.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas and celebrations are conducted on Chithirai- Sri Udayavar Satrumurai, Vaikasi – Prathishta Utsavam for 3 days, Nammalwar and Parasara bhattar satrumurai,  Aani Sudarsana Jayanthi Utsavam, Aadi- Thiru Aadi Pooram Utsavam, Aavani – Sri Jayanthi Utsavam, Puratasi – Mahanavami serthi Utsavam, Aippasi – Manavala Mamunigal, Vishwaksena and Pillai Logachariyar Satrumurai, Karthigai – Thirumangai Alwar satrumurai, Thirukarthigai Deepam Utsavam, Margazhi – Margazhi Utsavam, Bhogi serthi, Azhwan’s Hastham, Thirunakshatram Utsavam, Thai – Azhwan's Utsavam for 13 days and Masi Dhavana Utsavam.

Also Vaikunta Ekadasi, Andal Thirukalyana Utsavam, Deepavali Utsavam, Mahanavami Utsavam, Aadi Vellikizhamai Purapadu, Sri Ramanuja Jayanthi, Vanabhojanam Utsavam, Sri Jayanthi and Uriyadi Utsavam, Thirupavadai utsavam and Thiruvadi pooram Utsavam are also celebrated.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Kuresan Trust office may be contacted for further details. Mobile nos K S Vijayakumar +91 98402 54354, A K Parthasarathy +919894105406, V Sudarsan +9197101 98337, K V Rangarajan +91 9841411146 and A R Sampathkumar +91 99100 39137. Can also be reached through +91 8682010424

Website: https://kuresan.com/

and http://kooram.ramanujartemples.net/

HOW TO REACH

The place Kooram is 6.5 KM from White gate of Kanchipuram, 11 KM from Kanchipuram, 25 KM from Arakkonam,  37 KM from Sriperumbudur and 77 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Vedanda Desikar Sannidhi

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