In memory of HH 45th pattam Srimad Azhagiya Singar’s kanakabishekam, a new “Noodhana Vasantha Mantapam” has been constructed near the Raja Gopuram of Sri Kothandaramaswamy Temple, at the cost of 30 Lacs. The Mantapa Pradishtai (inauguration) is scheduled on 16th November between 9:00AM and 10:30AM in the presence of HH 45th and 46th Pattam Azhagiya Singar. On the same day evening between 6:00 and 7:30PM, Oonjal Utsavam has been arranged for Lord Rama for the next 5 days.
History of Vaduvur Shilas (Deities)
It is said that after 14 years in the forest (Vanavaasam) and defeating Ravana, Sri Rama was returning back to Ayodhya. On the way back, he was requested by many including rishis (sages) to stay with them. At one of the location, the sages prayed in earnest, asking them to stay forever. As Sri Rama need to return back to fulfill promise made to Bharatha, his brother, Sri Rama called up Vishvakarma and sketched His enchanting divine form as an archa-vigraha, leaves it outside the ashrama. The rishis who came to see them the next day were spellbound and mesmerized by the beautiful statue. Still hyptonized by what they saw, the sages agreed for Sri Rama to leave for Ayodhya, on one condition that leave the statue with them. Sri Rama, with a smile, agreed to their request and left the statue behind. These historical statues are none other than the ones currently at Vaduvur Temple.
History of Temple (Sthala Puranam)
Years rolled by and it was the time when king Sarfoji (Sarabhoji) ruled Thanjavur. One day, Lord Rama appeared in the king’s dream and told him to unearth the archa-vigrahas from Thalai Gnayiru ((Thalanayar in Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu) . He asked the king to establish and worship the deities. The king woke up in a state of shock and later, with his entourage, went to Thalai Gnayiru and unearthed the archa-vigrahas. When the king and his entourage were preparing to leave from Thalai Gnayiru, on their way to Thanjavur, the natives of the place prevented the king from taking the archa-vigrahas. The king managed to convince them and as compensation left the statues of Bharatha and Lakshmana behind with them. He took possession of Rama, Seetha and Hanuman statues and on his way rested at Vaduvur. The people of the Vaduvur village, known for their unity, came to know about the archa-vigrahas and pleaded with the king to install the deities in their Rukmani-Sathyabhama samedha Sri Gopalan temple. Initially, the king refused but when the villagers threatened to jump from the tower of the temple and commit suicide, he relented. He allowed them to install the archa-vigrahas and since then Rama has been the main deity in the Gopalan temple.
Looks like it is also the similiar period when Saint Thyagaraja lived.
Later, the statue of Lakshmana was also sculpted by the people of Vaduvur. It appeared like a woman and so the villagers established it as Sundari Amman and built a separate temple for Her. They sculpted the statue of Lakshmana again and today Rama with Seetha and Lakshmana stand majestically to bless the devotees.
Other Holy Names
The other holy names for Vaduvur (Vaduvoor) are
- Abhimana Divyadesam of Vishnu
- Vagularanyam Kshetram(magizhankadu),
- Bhaskara Kshetram and
- Dhakshina Ayodhya.
Sacred Tree
Vagula maram (maghizha maram) is the sacred tree of this sthala. Hence called as Vagularanya Kshetram.
Wonderful !