Temples dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati are seldom found in India.
There are very few temples in India dedicated to Saraswathi, the Goddess of learning. Though we see Her in collaboration with other deities in most other temples, a shrine dedicated to the Goddess Herself is very rare. Located in the Mayiladuthurai-Tiruvarur rail route and one and a half kilometres away from the village Poonthottam is the temple dedicated to Saraswathi – Koothanur.
Legend says that Koothanur is also associated with the mingling of the three revered rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi. These rivers merge here as the Harisol river or Arasalaru colloquially. It is believed that Ganga attained Lord Shiva here. Ganga was separated from Him in order to facilitate Lord Shiva marry Parvathi and give birth to Muruga, who would thence kill the demon, Tarakasuran.
Goddess Saraswati, Kuthanoor Temple
On the other hand, Saraswathi who had an ego clash with Brahma was born on earth. After worshiping Lord Shiva both Brahma and Saraswathi got emancipation. Saraswathi could mingle as a river in Harisol and was also allowed to have a shrine on the bank of the river as the Goddess of learning. However Brahma, who was already with another curse, was deprived of a shrine. Eventually, after prayers Lord Shiva allowed him to have poojas in the rituals performed towards departed souls. Thus Brahma Pooja has come to be associated with rituals, and the rituals if performed here have a special significance.
The story associated with the river Yamuna is that she was tempted by the acts of Lord Krishna with the gopikas. Subject to a curse she prayed for emancipation and came as a river here.
History tells us a different story. The origin of the word Koothanur was a village gifted by Raja Raja Chola II to the songster Ottakkootthan The temple has attained popularity by gaining the status of the only temple dedicated to Saraswathi. Devotees throng the place praying for their children’s education, liberation from previous births by taking a bath in the Triveni Sangamam.
Kuthanoor Temple gopuram
Bhaskarar, who wrote the Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Bhashyam, said that only if a person has done good deeds in previous births he would be able to admire the Goddess. The Devi Mahatmiyam praises Her as follows: Clad in a white garment, seated in Padmasana in a white lotus, holding a book in the left hand, a veena in the right hand, with eyes expressing compassion and the third eye revealing knowledge, along with the lips rendering a warm smile.
Koothanur is a small village located near Poonthottam in the heart of the Temple belt of Tamil Nadu. This village is especially famous for the Saraswati Temple and its association with Ottakoothar, the Tamil poet.
The Legend
Once upon a time a young devotee desirous of knowledge performed severe penance at the Saraswati shrine seeking the blessings of Saraswati. Saraswati took the form of a courtesan and materialised before him and expressed her desire to bless him. The devotee refused to accept her blessings, not knowing who she was.
Saraswati Devi, gopuram sculpture
Ottakkoothar rushed to the spot upon hearing of this incident, and recognising the identity of the courtesan, the poet prostrated before her seeking her blessings. Only after this incident, the fame of Ottakkoothar spread throughout the Tamil land. In fact, the name Koothanur derives from the poet’s name Ottakoothar.
About The Temple
The uniqueness of this temple lies in the fact that it is dedicated exclusively to the Goddess of learning Saraswati. Although there are shrines to Saraswati in most Shaivite temples as well as niche shrines to Brahma, temples dedicated exclusively to Brahma or Saraswati are very rare.
The uniqueness of this temple lies in the fact that it is dedicated exclusively to the Goddess of learning Saraswati. Although there are shrines to Saraswati in most Shaivite temples as well as niche shrines to Brahma, temples dedicated exclusively to Brahma or Saraswati are very rare.
It is believed that the poet Ottakoothar erected the shrine very early in the 2nd Millennium. He is also said to have celebrated Vijaya Dasami, the day following the 9-day Navaratri festival in the Tamil month of Purattasi. There are several stone inscriptions, validating the antiquity of the temple.
On full moon nights, children are brought here in droves and the word “Om” is written on their tongues, with a stick dipped in honey. It is believed that such children blossom into fine orators, poets and musicians.
Temple entrance
PRAYERS WITH ENGLISH MEANING
Saraswathi Namasthubhyam, varade Kama roopini,
Vidhyarambham karishyami, sidhir bhavathu me sada.
Vidhyarambham karishyami, sidhir bhavathu me sada.
My salutations to Goddess Saraswathi,
Who can take any form,
Who is the bestower of all boons,
And I start learning now,
With the prayer to her,
To make it very effective.
Who can take any form,
Who is the bestower of all boons,
And I start learning now,
With the prayer to her,
To make it very effective.
She has the swan as her vehicle. Just as the swan separates milk from water, She sees only the good part of Her devotees and blesses them.
The temple buzzes with activity during Saraswathi Pooja and Vijayadashami. Apart from these Poojas are performed daily in the morning at 9.30 (Kalasandhi), evening at 6.30 (Sayarakshai) and in the night at 8.30 (Arthajamam). The other deities in the temple are Valampuri Vinayakar, Brahma, Nagaraja, Muruga, The Swan and Narthana Vinayakar, the last one being a self originated idol.
Vendors selling notebooks, offering bhoga
The kumbhabhishekan was conducted in the temple in 1941, 1968 ,1987 and 2003. Great people like Ottakoothar, Ovathakoothar, and Purushotham Bharathi have worshipped here. The grace of the Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt is being bestowed on the temple authorities.
Here is a rare example in Kuthanoor, Tamil Nadu.The only dedicated temple in India.Near to karikal.Temple dedicated for goddess saraswathi devi.
Route Map For Saraswathi Temple (Kumbakonam to kuthanoor):
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Saraswati Temple Kuthanoor Contact Number :
91-04366-239909. or 4366 - 2239909
