koothanur saraswathy

We can be proud that people the world over, when they get in search of theism, ancient arts, culture and spiritual knowledge, go now where else than our sacred nation-Bharat. It is because of the blessings of Goddess Saraswathi. Also known as ‘ Kalaimagal ’, the goddess of the total of 64 art forms that our nation is praised as the nation for spiritual knowledge or even,for that matter, any knowledge.

The rivers, Ganges, Yamuna, Indus, Narmadha, Godhavari, Krishna and Kaveri are given prominence when we hear praises of our nation. Kaveri, who spread out from the water container (kamandalam)of stage Agasthya, has brought about many famed places and incidents to the Chola region of Tamilnadu. There are many branches of the river Kaveri which run like blood vessels across the Chola region.

Among these, the very beautiful broad “Harisol” rivulet branches off from the Kaveri at Kumbakonam. There are quite a few holy shrines on the banks of Harisol.Of these, as if to symbolize her flow from the heavens to earth, Harisol flows the north to the south in Koothanur.

Many sages and savants chose the banks of the river in Koothanur to perform their penance in absolute peace. Right near the river, Harinatheswarar temple confers an absolutely peaceful for doing penance. A few feet away,Goddess Durga is found as the village protective deity.which is a rarity A nearby place known as ”Poonthottam” must have been a beautiful park full of lovely flowers in ancient times. People of the past, would have had their bath in river Harisol, and taken flowers from Poonthottam for worship of the Lord.

It is learnt, that this place was known as “Ambalpuri”, about a 1000years ago, even before poet Ottakoothan was born. So history has it it that Goddess Saraswathi did her penance towards Lord Brahma and conferred her blessings on her devotees for ages. Devotees offer their puja with lovely flowers that are known to be acceptable to the Goddess.

In a similar manner, ottakoothan, an ordinary mortal, earnestly sought the blessings of the Goddess Saraswathi and Lord Pillayar (Arul Gnana Vinayakar) to grant him the gift of the ability to compose poems. Bathing in the river Harisol daily and by offering floral tributes to the Goddess, he got his boon fulfilled when the Goddess, came in a very beautiful boat in the river,in the form of a lovely woman and gave him to wish.

Along with Goddess Saraswathi, Goddesses Lakshmi and parvathi too came by in this river and hence we can get the blessings of the basic grace of them all-Adhisakthi. Blessed with the beningn looks of Goddess Kalaimagal, and the betel mouth Blessings of “Then Kani vagadevi”, Ottakoothar became a poet with the ability to compose rhythmic poems.

The populace were enamoured of his ability to compose.His fame reached the ears of King Vikrama Chola,who invited him to his court and witnessed the blessed ability of Ottakoothar.

From the day King Rajaraja Chola (grandson of King Vikrama Chola), gifted this land to Ottakoothar. This Ambalpuri has come to be known as Koothanur.

It is learnt, that this place was known as “Ambalpuri”, about a 1000years ago, even before poet Ottakoothan was born. So history has it that Goddess Saraswathi did her penance towards Lord Brahma and conferred her blessings on her devotees for ages. Devotees offer their puja with lovely flowers that are known to be acceptable to the Goddess.

THE FAME OF KOOTHANUR

Ottakoothar and his grandson Ovathakoothar, established the beautiful temple for Goddess Maha Saraswathi.

Goddess Saraswathi, in a penance performing posture, confers Her blessings on this world as the prime deity, only in this temple. A beautiful three eyed form, with one leg folded in a yogasana pattern, is afeast for the eyes. Another special feature is that there is no veena in Ambal’s hands in the prime deity.

She is a seated on a white lotus,attired in white silk. She symbolizes her inherent Presence in studies, having a palm script in her hands. The other hand has the ‘Chinmudra’, blessing devotees.Another hand has the ‘Akshamala’, signifying penance. The fourth palm has the nectar pot, conferring happiness and spiritual bliss to devotees. With Her benevolent smile and eyes, she has Her third eye giving us the highest form of spiritual knowledge. In short she gives all who worship Her absolute bliss while giving us education, knowledge, intellingence and welfare.

POOJA

On all nine days navrathiri festival, ambal is bedecked specially and special poojas performed. Maha Ganapathi procession place in all directions of town.

On saraswathi Pooja Day and Vijayathasami Day, Maha Saraswathi is taken out in procession on the swan. In particular, devotees perform pooja directly to the beautifully decorated extended feet of the goddess on saraswathi pooja Day.

On each full moon day, special poojas are done for her. For growing children especially, she confers Her benevolence that day to gain in intelligence. Life can be journey of happiness and worships Her on Her Birth star day-Moolam .

Though one can worship Here on all days of the week, Wednesdays are specify chosen for excellence in education and knowledge. Devotees throng the temple on Vijaya Dasami Day with their children and begin their studies with a pooja at the feet of the Goddess others, who are not able to come in Day, choose some other auspicious day to start their children’s education. It is indeed a wonderful sight to see hundreds of children seeking Her blessings by placing their text books, note books, pencils and pens at her feet daily, and gain excellence in education and knowledge, the prime base for improvement in life.

Many schools and college students place their hall tickets at the feet of the goddess to pray for success in their exams. In fact, some students go to the extent of leaving their names, addresses and exam roll numbers written on paper and dropping them in the Hundial of temple. Children wanting to excel in the fields of music, dance and drama, inaugurate and continue to perform here on vijaya thasami Day and other auspicious days on their instruments. The sight of devotees with dump children praying for them scan indeed be soul stirring.

Children wanting to excel in the fields of music, dance and drama, inaugurate and continue to perform here on vijaya thasami Day and other auspicious days on their instruments. The sight of devotees with dump children praying for them scan indeed be soul stirring. Devotees within and abroad, who have had Her munificent blessings, have narrated wonderfully blissful experiences, because people now fully realize that a good education has a special value worldwide.

Her grace extending beyond age,wealth and religion or castle is well known throughout the world. By worshipping Her here at Koothanur, it has been established that children can do well in studies, reaching top ranks, improve in education and knowledge and be gift to their parents.

TEMPLES IN KOOTHANUR

1. Temple for the goddess of learning, Maha Saraswathi
2. Temple for Rama, God Protecting Dharma.
3. Temple for Harinatheswara, to perform penance.
4. Temple for Durga, the benevolent and town protecting goddess.
5. Temple for Draupathi.
6. Temple for Malaysia Sastha,Iyyanar,the family deity of people of this town.
7. The temple of Maha Ganapathi,(known as’Moola Vinayaka’ or, colloquialy ‘Moolai Vinayaga’)who is supposed to be the     root of koothanur.the deity here is the favourite of youth of this own,and they celebrate festivals for him regularly.