Ponpadhar Koodam Sri Chathurbuja Kothandaraamar

Ponpadhar Koodam is a small village located at about 10 kms east of Chengalpattu, just further to PV Kalathur.

Ponpadhar Koodam has a rare temple dedicated to Lord Sri Rama called Chathurbuja Kothandaraamar. The rare feature of Sri Rama here is that He is seen with four arms holding Bow, Arrow, Shanku (Conch) and Chakra in each of His arms.

It is said that, according to Vaalmeeki Ramaayana, Sri Rama gave dharshan only to 4 people in this posture with four arms. That is to His mother Kausalya during His birth, to Sri Aanjaneya when He met first, to Thrisadai in her dreams and to Mandodhari (wife of Raavana) after Raavana was killed in the battlefield.

According to the legend, there lived a sage called Sri Devaraaja Rishi who was performing penance in this village on the banks of the nearby pond. Lord Raama gave dharshan to Sri Devaraaja Rishi as Chathurbuja Kothandaraamar (with 4 arms). This place in ancient days was known as Prapada Mahaadevarajapuram.
The pond near the temple, where the Rishi was doing penance is now called as Devaraaja Pushkarini.

Sri Raama is seen here with Sri Sita Devi, Sri Lakshmana on the sides and Sri Hanuman in front of them. The deity is so beautiful and charming. Sri Aanjaneya in front of Sri Rama is seen in a very humble gesture facing Sri Rama with His palm closing the mouth in obidience. It is said that such moorthy is rare to find and is called Sri Bhavya Aanjaneyar. The Urchavar made of 5 metal is highly admirable for the sculptural brilliance. Urchavar is so beautiful with a gentle smile on His face. Urchavar also has 4 arms with respective weapons. Sri Raama is holding the arrow on His right hand with His fingers folded to hold the arrow. The Lord is wearing a golden ring in one of his fingers. The ring can be removed from the finger and replaced back without any difficulty. Such a marvelous creation to admire!Also, one can see the rays (lines) on the palms of the Lord created so naturally like a human palm. Even the edges of the grown nails are done beautifully. Sri Raama can be felt so human, standing in front of us and blessing us.

Once in 1982, Pattaabhishekam was performed to Sri Raama here. When the rituals were happening, a monkey had visited the temple sat quietly and had witnessed the whole ceremony and had left the place after the Pattaabhhishekam, without disturbing anyone. According to the native villagers, there were no monkeys present in the village before and after this incident. But no one knows how a lone monkey arrived at the temple exactly for the Pattaabhishekam ceremony. The villagers believe that it was Sri Hanuman Himself, who came and witnessed Sri Raama Pattabhishekam.

This temple is small, yet beautiful amidst a serene atmosphere with lots of paddy fields around. The road from Chengalpattu to this temple is not too good. But it’s worth to take a drive in such a bad road to see such a wonderful Sri Raama and the rare Sri Bhavya Aanjaneya.

Koyambedu Sri Kurungaaleeswarar

Koyambedu is situated at the north western side of Chennai. An ancient temple for Lord Shiva is located in Koyambedu where the main deity is Sri Kurungaaleeswarar and Goddess Sri Dharmasamvardhani (also called Aram Valartha Naayagi).

Inscriptions which date back to Kulothunga Chozha III and Vijayanagara kings, informs about various contributions made to the temple. Inscriptions also reveal the political bifurcation of the place as Kulothunga Chozha Valanadu, part of Puliyur Kottam belonging to Jayankonda Chozha Mandalam.

It is also said that the names of this place in ancient days were as Kosai Nagar, Koyattipuram and Prayachithapuram. Kulothunga Chozha is said to have ruled in the 12th Century and hence it is said that the temple was constructed during his period.

The main deity Sri Kurungaaleeswarar is also called as Sri Kusalavapureeswarar. It is said that Lava and Kusa, sons of Sri Rama stayed with Sage Valmiki in his Ashram along with their mother Sita Devi.

There are few other places too in and around Chennai like Thiruvaanmiyur and Siruvapuri, where Sage Valmiki had his Ashram when Lava and Kusa stayed with him.

The legend of this temple connects to Ramayana period, when Sita Devi was sent to forest by Sri Rama. Sita was under the care of Sage Sri Valmiki during that period and also gave birth to her 2 sons Lava and Kusa.

When Sri Rama sent the Aswamedha horse around the country, Lava and Kusa brought the horse to their custody. Without knowing that it was His sons who captured the horse, Sri Rama sent Lakshmana who fought a battle with them. As Lava and Kusa fought against their own uncle, they acquired a Dhosham called Gothra Dhosham. To be relieved of it, it is said that, they installed and worshipped Lord Shiva in this place.

The presiding deity Sri Kurungaaleeswarar is too small as it was installed by two small kids. This wonderful temple has stood strong across centuries and still has not lost its originality.

There are beautiful stone pillared praakaarams around the sanctum. Another beautiful stone pillared Mandapam is found in front of the temple, in which Sri Sarabeswarar is seen on one of the pillars facing west. Special Poojas are performed to Sri Sarabeswarar on all Sundays during Raahu Kaalam.
At the outer praakaaram Sri Vinayagar shrine is located at the south west corner of the temple.

Sri Visaalaakshi Samedha Sri Kaasi Viswanathar shrine and Sri Valli Devasena Samedha Sri Subramanyar shrine are located adjacent to each other behind the sanctum.

Sri Nandhigeswarar is seen on the outer praakaaram facing the presiding deity.

The temple also maintains a beautiful garden (Nandhavanam) along the outer praakaaram.

Ambaal Sri Dharmasamvardhani is beautiful and is seen in standing posture.

The Sthala Viruksham for this temple is ‘Palaa Maram’ (Jack tree) which is located on the outer praakaram.

The theertham for this temple is called Lava Kusa Theertham which is believed to have been created by the two sons of Sri Rama.

There are many beautiful sculptures all around the temple and on the pillars.

Few of them are Sri Rama performing Pooja to Lord Shiva, Lord Shiva punishing Yama to save Markandeyan and Kannappa Naayanar.

There is another temple adjacent to which is dedicated to Maha Vishnu called Sri Vaikunda Vaasa Perumal temple, which is again formed by Lava and Kusa.

Wonderful temple and worth visiting.