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 the 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 in 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 faces east with Deepa Sthambam, Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Garudan. Moolavar Sri Adikesava Perumal is of Chaturbhujam in standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. In koshtam Narasimhar, Perumal in Yoga posture, Perumal sitting on Adhiseshan and Yoga Nithrai - யோகநித்ரை. (The Details of Yoga Nithrai are given below the Picture.) 

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

ARCHITECTURE

The Temple consists of the 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 represent the Pallava architecture. Dwarapalakas made of stucco are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. As per the ASI Pallava period, the painting was found inside the sanctum sanctorum, superimposed with lime washing. Seated Maha Vishnu in various postures is found on the three sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Later period Stone Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the extended mandapa.

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

A 3 Tier Dravida vimana is over the sanctum sanctorum. There are no images on the vimana. In valapi, only Madhala. The mandapa wall on the north side is supported by a supporting wall to save it from further damage.  The temple tank is on the western side of the Temple.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

The original temple was constructed during the Pallava period and later extended by the Cholas and the Vijayanagaras. As per the inscription, this place was called Utrukattu Kottathu Nirvelur Nattu Kooram.

The Pallava King Narasimhavarman I’s reign inscription on a pillar lying in the ruined central shrine of the Kesavaреrumal temple mentions Mamallan, the great king of the Pallavas.

The Pallava king Dantivarman’s 12^th reign, 808 CE inscription, on the south wall of the Keśava-perumāl temple, records a document (details lost) signed by the sabhaiyar of Küram. Mentions Unangalppindi in the village.

The Pallava King Nandivarman III’s 20^th reign, 866 CE, Tamil inscription, on a pillar in the Keśavaperumāļ temple, records a royal order addressed to the sabhaiyar of Kūram in Ürrukkat-tuk-kōttam, by the king, in connection with the grant of six patți of land called Akkaļanimadipporripadi, after changing the previous holders (of tenancy?) as arccanābhōga to the temple of Mahadeva (of the village). It seems that the said land was given to Kalan, the temple priest, for worship and his enjoyment.

The Pallava King Nrpatungavarman’s 17^th reign 886 CE, inscription on the north wall of the Kēśavaperumāļ temple, records the sale of land (in and around) a stone tank (karkayam) measuring 27,000 kuli measured by a rod of 12 spans (panniruśānkōl) and 27 house-sites, after dividing it into 27 shares, to some members of the alungana of the village of Avaninārāyana caturvēdimangalam (in Paduvürkkōttam), by the sabhaiyer of the village Pallava-nārāyana-caturvedimangalam in Kārai-nadu, (a sub division of) Paduvūürkköttam, after receiving the entire amount due thereon from the former.

Those who received the plots are as follows:

S.No.                Name of the donee                                Share

1. Śrī-Bhaļekkanaśarma-kramavittan (and others)        3,000 kuli

2. Kumaradi-ccadańgavi of Krāñci                                5,000 kuli

3. Ganaśanna-kramavittan of Paśindi                          3,000 kuli

4. Śanna Adityaśarman (and others) of Nallur               2,000 kuli

5. Šappadi-kramavitta Sōmāśi of Mudumbai                1,000 kuli

6. Kalimandaic-cadangavi, brother of

    Śappadi-kramavitta Somāśi                                     1,000 kuli

7. (name lost)                                                               2,000 kuli

8. Sa[nna*]c-cadangavi of Kumatıūr                             1,000 kuli

9. Porkāļi-bhattan of Magaśira                                     1,000 kuli

The Pallava King Nrpatungavarman’s 21st reign, 890 CE, inscription, on a pillar in the Kēśavaperumāl temple, seems to register an undertaking given by the sabhaiyār of Kūram, to Peruñci...of Nallāyür in Peräyür-nādu, a sub-division of Öymānādu, in respect of four kalañcu (of gold) received by them (obviously for a charity) from the latter. The document was written by the madhyastha of the village...... vinītan (alias)...ttippottan at the request of the sabhaiyar.

Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 12^th reign year inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam to Subramanya deva and the burning of a 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 were gifted.

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

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 the 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.

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, mention 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 the 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.

References

ARE, 1900.  

South Indian Inscriptions Volume – VII

The Inscriptions of Pallavas by T V Mahalingam.

Telugu Inscription tablet

Yoga Nithra- யோகநித்ரை

பாஞ்சராத்ரத்தின்‌ பரமேச்வர ஸம்ஹிதையில் சுகநாஸியின் இருபுறமும் கீழே பித்தியில் கணேசரையும் யோகநித்ரையையும் அமைக்க வேண்டும் என்று கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

पार्श्वयोः शुकनासाया भित्तिमूलसमाश्रितम्।

गणेशं योगनिद्रां च न्यसेद्वा दक्षिणादितः।

இந்த யோகநித்ரை பகவானைக் குறித்து பெருந்தவம் இயற்றி அவர் அங்கத்தில் இடம் கேட்டதாகவும் எல்லா அங்கங்களிலும் திருமகள் முதலியோர் வாழ்வதாகவும் கண்ணில் உறையுமாறு வரம் கொடுத்ததாகவும் சாதுர்மாஸ்யம் முழுமையும் பகவானின் கண்ணைத் தழுவி உறக்கத்தில் ஈடுபடுத்தவும் வரம் தந்ததாக கூறுகிறது. (Details Courtesy : Sankara Narayanan G).

SRI KOORATHAZHWAN SANNADHI

Sri Koorathazhwan is in a separate temple. Moolavar Koorathazhwan is in a sitting posture with a beard. The life history of Koorathazhwan is in the Praharam wall. There are 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 the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam, maha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. A Three-tier vimana is on the 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 with all his endeavors. Kuresan married Andal at a younger age and was blessed with two Children. Admiring the teachings of Ramanuja, Kuresan joined with him as a disciple at Kanchipuram. Their friendship was separated briefly when Ramanuja moved to Srirangam. When Ramanuja wanted to compose Sri Bhasya, Kuresan also accompanied 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 Thiruneetru Chozha Bhoopathy, was against Vaishnavam. Govindaraja Perumal was thrown into 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. In the end, he plucked out both his eyes, not to see the people against Vaishnavam. In the meantime, Ramanuja went to Melkote (Karnataka) and returned after the debate. (It was learned that Kulothunga-II died due to cancer, hence called Kirumikanda Chozha). After Ramanuja returned to Srirangam, they once again got reunited. To the prayer of Ramanuja, Sri Kanchipuram Varadharaja Perumal gave back his eyesight. Koorathazhwan lived for some time and attained the lotus feet of Mahavishnu. The Thaniyan composed by Koorathazhwan on Sri Ramanuja, and combining Kooranathar, is 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 that Shiva is the only great God, the Chozha King. He got back his eyesight after Ramanujar prayed to Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal. So devotees pray to Koorathazhwan and Adi Kesava Perumal to get relief from 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 celebrated.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and from 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The 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 the White Gate of Kanchipuram, 11 km from Kanchipuram, 25 km from Arakkonam,  37 km from Sriperumbudur, and 77 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway station is Kanchipuram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Vedanda Desikar Sannidhi

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