Sri Veerabhadhra Swamy Temple / ஶ்ரீ வீரபத்ரசாமி கோயில், Ottakooththar Jeeva Samadhi Temple, Darasuram, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple was a part of the “Shiva, Vishnu and Amman Temples Visit, in and around Kumbakonam”, on 13^th July 2024. This is one of the Two Veerabhadra Swamy Temples of Kumbakonam, where the main deity is Veerabhadra, which is being maintained by the Veera Saiva mutt of Darasuram. Also, this is one of the Pancha Krosa Sthalam.

Ottakoothar Jeeva Samadhi

Moolavar  : Sri Veerabhadra Swamy

Consort    : Sri Badrakaliamman

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Balipaadam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam (Octagonal-shaped mandapam).  Moolavar Sri Veerabhadra is without Dhakshan on a raised platform. There is another Veerabhadra idol in the ardha mandapam with Dhakshan. In Koshtam Vinayagar, A man’s idol, Dakshinamurthy, and Brahma.

In praharam, Nagars, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Ottakoothar (11^th Century), Jeeva Samadhi, and Revana Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi (8th Century).

Revana Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi ( 8th Century ).

Sri Bhadrakaliamman Sannidhi is facing south. Amman is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.

Veerabhadra (Moolavar) without Dahaksha

 Veerabhadra ( In ardha mandapam )

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a metacolour sheet mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are Vishnu kantha pilasters with square bases, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, and vettu /poomottu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam, with nasikudus. The temple was constructed with stone from adhistanam to prastaram with stone. The superstructure, ie, vimana, was constructed with Bricks. The Vimanam is of one tala, greevam, and vesara sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is believed that the temple was built during the Kulothunga Chozha period, and later received contributions from Vijayanagara Nayakas and Marathas.

This temple is being maintained by the Veera Saiva Mutt of Dharasuram.

Ottakoothar… Ottakoothar was born in Tiruverumbur, and according to some works, is regarded as belonging to the line of Muchukunda Chakravarti (an ancient-period Chola king, associated with the Maragatha Lingam story). The prefix Otta (derived from the Tamil Ottam, meaning a wager or bet) is attached to him due to his competitive spirit. He served as both court poet and minister, in the time of Vikrama Chola, Kulothunga Chola II, and Rajaraja Chola II, on all three of whom he has written Ula poems (about the honor of the kings and their interaction with the subjects). The village of Koothanur – famous for the Saraswati temple – is named for Ottakoothar, to whom the village had been granted, and he has sung poems on Saraswati there. Ottakoothar attained jeeva samadhi at this very temple.

It is believed that the Ottakoothar and the Senguntha Mudaliars are the lineage of Veerabagu.

வீரவாகு வழியினர்:

'தேவியுமை பாதச் சிலம்பில்வரு வீரியர்கள் சிறுதே ருருட்டி யருளே'

'சிவ கயிலாய பரம்பரையா ரென்னும் செங்குந்தரே'

'குமரச் செட்டிக் கிளையநற் செட்டிகளாகும் இச்செங்குந்தர்'

LEGENDS

As per the legend, celestial deities, Devas, are invited for the Yaga conducted by Daksha, but Shiva was not invited. Without the permission of Shiva, Dhatchiyaini went to the Yaga sala, and enquired of Dhaksha, why Shiva was not invited and due share also not paid. When Dhaksha refused again, Dhatchiyaini cursed Dhaksha and the celestial Deities and Devas and jumped into the Yaga Kund. After knowing this, Shiva created Veerabhadra from his hair and sent Dhaksha’s place along with Bhadrakaliamman to destroy the Yaga. Veerabhadra Killed Dhaksha. To the request, Dhaksha was made alive, with a Goat’s head. The idol of Veerabhadra in the ardha mandapa has Dhaksha in a worshipping posture, but Dhaksha will not be there in the Main deity’s image.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Three times pooja will be done, and no intermittent arathi will be shown. On Thursdays, Special Abishekam and Aradhana will be done between 17.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs. 

This Temple is a Nivarthi sthalam for mutakku dosha, Pithru dosha. Also, this temple is one of the Pancha Krosa Sthalam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The mobile number +919245418708 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

This Sri Veerabhadhara Swamy Temple at Darasuram is about a km from the Popular Sri Airavateesvara Temple.  

This temple is about 4.6 km from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 4.5 km from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 36 km from Mayiladuthurai, and 40 km from Thanjavur.

The nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

An idol in the koshtam is kept as a loose sculpture

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---