Kothandaramar Temple , Vadavur

Sri Kothandaramar Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Rama, situated in Vaduvur, Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. The temple is sanctified by Maharishi Valmiki and classified as one of the holiest temples by the Vaishnavites. This temple is called as the Dakshina Ayodhya(Ayodhya of South India). This temple was mentioned in Ramayana.

The chief deity of this temple is known as Kothandaramar. He can be seen along with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. The utsava moorthy(Idol which is used in processions) of Rama in this temple is very beautiful, since the idol of Rama delivers a lovely smile towards his devotees.

Apart from the main shrine, we can also find shrines of Hayagriva, Krishna samedha Rukmani and Satyabama, Viswaksena, Andal and Alvars.  The temple pond known as Sarayu theertham is found outside the temple. The vimana of this temple is known as Sri Pushpaka vimana.

As per ancient legend, once Lord Rama appeared in the dream of a Maratha King, and asked him to renovate and repair the present temple, in order to make it into attractive.

This temple is one of the *Pancha Rama Kshetras and considered to be most popular among the five temples.

Sri Kodhanda Ramar Temple, Mudikondan

Sri Kodhanda Ramar Temple, Adambar

Sri Ramar Temple, Paruthiyur

Sri Kodhanda Ramar Temple, Thillaivilagam

Sri Kodhanda Ramar Temple, Vaduvur

Rama Navami, Garuda Seva and car festival are celebrated in a grand manner.

We can also sing some beautiful songs in the Vadavur Rama temple premises, and some of the songs written in praise of Lord Rama are as follows:

1. Hey Rama, Sri Ramachandra Prabhu, several Yugas may pass, but I would always remain as your humble servant by praising your glories, singing your sings, and performing meditation on you.

2. Hey Karunya Moorthy, Raghurama, Kosalarama, Sitarama, I feel very much delighted by chanting your various names, you are the universal master, and your name and fame increases day by day, and I always bow before you, and surrender at your holy lotus feet.

3. Hey Srirama, I worship Ma Kausalya, since you have been in her womb for a few months, and she has got the great opportunity in giving birth to a precious child.

4. Hey Rama, I worship Ma Sita, since she dutifully served you as your life partner for some years, and both of you cannot be separated by anyone, since you dwell in the heart of Ma Sita, and Ma Sita dwells in your heart.

5. Hey Rama, I worship your brothers, Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrugna, since they served you very well like your humble servants throughout their lifetime.

6. Hey Gurunatha, you only taught me the art of patience, obedience, love and affection, you have moulded me very well, and, hence, I have been able to peacefully lead my life by meditating on you.

7. Hey Rahukula Rama, even the stone has been transformed into a woman, through your divine touch, several demons have been destroyed by you, and you have maintained strict dharma throughout the world through your noble characteristics.

8. Hey Kothanda Rama, you are talented very well in archery, no one could compete with you, and when Varuna disrespected you, with your talents in archery, you have made him to realise that you are not an ordinary man.

9. Hey Karuna Sagara, you are showering your mercy towards your devotees like an ocean, your Rama Mantra gives more sweetness to your devotees, those who do not chant your Rama Mantra, would not lead a comfortable life in this world, since only by reciting the Rama Mantra, the sins of the people would be cleansed and they would become pure and pious in their lives.

10. I humbly salute Lord Rama,
    who is surrounded by Vanaras, Rishis and scholarly people, and also, he was praised by them.

11. I humbly salute Lord Rama, who controls all the Panchaboothas like air, ether, water,
    Earth and fire.

12. I humbly salute Lord Rama, who is the affectionate consort of Ma Sita Devi, and he is the one, who contains
    an attractive body.

13. I offer my humble salutations to Lord Rama who is the essence of Vedas and he is the one, who creates, protects and destroys the universe.

14. I offer my humble salutations to Lord Rama who acts like our father and mother, and he is the one who removes the tears from our eyes during the times of our sufferings.

15. I offer my humble salutations to Lord Rama, and I request him to take me to his abode, and let me reside under his pretty legs even as a small dust particle.

16. I humbly salute Lord Rama who gives great peace of mind and he is the one who removes the badness in our mind and gives great spiritual bliss.

17. I offer my humble salutations to Lord Rama who is the Lord of the Lords and the King of the Kings and his significance cannot be fully described by Lord Hanuman himself.

18. I offer my humble salutations to Lord Rama who contains great valour, and he is the one, who broke the great bow of Lord Shiva, and married with Ma Sita.

19. I offer my humble salutations to Lord Rama, who had easily killed Ravana with his powerful weapons, and he is the one, who never gets fear for anything.

20. I offer my humble salutations to Lord Rama whose name would kill all of our problems, and whose name is being recited even by the Divine Devas in the heaven.

21. I humbly salute Lord Rama,
    who is very much liked by me, and for the sake of spreading the Ram Bhakti in the world, I am even ready to sacrifice my life itself!

“JAI SRI KOTHANDASITARAMACHANDRA SWAMY NAMO NAMAHA”

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Sent  By

                                                                                                                                                                                  R. HARISHANKAR