Oottathur Suddha Rathneswarar Temple

Overview

Suddha Rathneswarar Temple is situated in Oottathur village close to Trichy city in South India.

This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. This is one of the Devara Padal Petra Sthalams. Wherever the four primordial saints have sung in praise of the Lord, those sites are considered as 'Paadal Petra Sthalams'. Other than that, there are numerous Shiva temples about which there are mentions found in the hymns (although not the entire song (padhigam) is dedicated); those temples are known as 'Devara Vaippu Sthalam.

About The Temple

The temple has a large five tiered gopuram. The sanctum sanctorum has a big Shiva Linga with a small Nandi in the front in the maha mandapa. There is one another Nandi idol in the corner of the same mandapa facing the opposite direction. There is a strong belief that the river Nandi started to flow from the mouth of this idol. There is another Nandi idol, a beautiful sculpture situated near the Brahma Teertham - the holy well. It is unusual to find a well in front of the main shrine. The outer prahara also has a huge Nandi idol near the long dhwajastambha and bali peeta.

The temple is filled with vintage pillars with beautiful sculptures. Few pillars even have carvings which are suggestive. The inner prakara is decked with the idols of 63 Nayanmars, Kailasanathar, Brahma, Samba Parameswara In linga form, Saraswati, Katyayini, Vishwanathar-Vishalakshi, Gaja Lakshmi, Adikara Nandi and Surya. The sub shrines such as Somaskandar, Chandrasekhar, Murugan (utsava), Subramanya with his consorts and Veerabhadra are found in the same prakara. The Veerabadra Swamy seen in this temple is very unique. He carries a Shiva Lingam over his forehead.

The temple also houses big and beautiful sculptures of the deities Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Vishnu, Brahma. Durga and Chandikeswara are found as koshtamurthis surrounding the garba graha wall. Two small shrines for Vinayaka and Bala Murugan are found at the entrance of the maha mandapa. The dwarapalakas statues are big and beautiful like in any other Chola temples. In addition, the temple has a shrine housing beautiful idols of Nataraja and Sivakami. A small four pillared mandapa and the adjoining Navagraha shrine are also located in this temple.

The Goddess Akilandeswari's idol is big and found in the standing posture. The idol is located in a separate big shrine in the outer prahara of the temple. This shrine has its own Nandi mandapa and bali peetha. There is a small prahara around the shrine. Iccha Sakthi, Gnana Sakthi, Kriya Sakthi, Chamundi, Brahmi and Varahi sculptures are sculpted in the wall surrounding the shrine. Ganesha and Subramanya idols are found at the entrance of the shrine. The shrine appears like a separate small temple; it is also facing the east direction like the garbagraha.

About The Deity

The presiding deities are Sri Suddha Rathneswarar and Sri Akilandeswari. Suddha Rathneswarar as the name signifies - the purest of gems, the real ruby, stands grandly in the Sanctum Sanctorum. Sun' s rays fall on the idol of Suddha Ratneswara for three days in the Tamil month of Maasi (12, 13, 14) and for three minutes on Vaikasi Visakham day.

Significance of the Deities in this Temple

Panchanadhana Nataraja

The five types of stones that are generally used to make sculptures of Gods and Goddesses are Aalinga Nadhanam, Panchanadhanam, Singanadhanam, Yaanainadhanam and Yaazhinadhanam. Out of these, Panchanadhanam stones have the capability to absorb the rays of the sun. It is said that the root of a plant called Andhaka Narimanam will penetrate and break one in a million stones. Such type of stones are called Panchanadhana Stones. When struck with a coin, they emanate a sound similar to "Aum".

The Nataraja at Oothathur is made out of Panchanadhana Stone. This unique and beautiful idol stands grandly and is worshipped sincerely by those who are affected with kidney ailments. They adorn the Natraja statue with a vetiver garland and perform abhishekam with the water of Brahma Theertham. The abhishekam water is then collected and given to the concerned person. On consuming the water continuously for 45 days, the patients are relieved totally of their ailments. There are a number of testimonials available in the temple of those who have tried this remedy and found to be cured.

It is believed that Indra regained his lost power and position by worshipping this Nataraja and like him anyone who worships the Nataraja with sincere devotion will regain lost power. Several politicians and those with political aspirations visit this temple regularly.

Dakshinamurthy

The Dakshinamurthy here is a pleasure to watch. With the Kallala tree behind him, resembling a fan, a small straw bag and a piece of cloth hanging from it, it reminds one of the Dakshinamurthy mural in the Big temple of Thanjavur, his unique hair style, in short everything about him, is simply superb.

Durga

The Goddess Durga at the temple is seen with fangs on either side of her mouth. Worshipping Durga with lemon garlands for a period of 11 weeks grants the boon of marriage for those seeking good alliances.

Kala Bhairava

The uniqueness of this templeis that Lord Bhairava is seen facing Gajalakshmi. Performing Sahasranama Archana for 11 weeks here, is said to cure children of irrational fears. This Bhairava is also worshipped to ensure livestock are not affected by the outbreak of an epidemic. Those suffering from chronic ailments, worship this Bhairava on Ashtami day and recite the Kalashta Mantram. This rids them of the fear of death and helps to improve their health condition.

Legend and Stories

Once there was an dispute between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma as to who was the greater amongst them. While the argument was going on there appeared a column of light with no beginning and end. Brahma and Vishnu agreed that whoever was 1st to reach the top or bottom of the column would be considered the winner. Brahma took the form of a swan and went up to find the top of Lord Shiva's head while Vishnu took the form of a boar and dived deep into the ground to locate the beginning of the column of light. But both were not successful.

On his way up, Brahma met a Thazampoo (Ketaki Flower) that fell from Shiva's head. He told the flower to stand witness if he were to declare that he had seen the top of the column, to which the flower agreed. So Brahma announced himself to be the greater of the two as he had been able to bring evidence from the top of Shiva's head. Vishnu humbly acknowledged the defeat. Incensed that Brahma had told a lie and used a false witness, Shiva cursed Brahma that he would not have a separate temple dedicated to him anywhere and that Ketaki flowers would never be used for Shiva's worship.

Brahma pleaded forgiveness and asked to be absolved of his curse. Lord Shiva instructed Brahma to worship him with water from all the holy rivers in the world. Brahma came to Oottathur and created a spring, which came to be identified as Brahma Theertham, right in front of the Garbagraha. To this spring, he added water from all the holy rivers in the world. The village got its name after this spring (Ootru - Spring, Ootraththur which has now changed to Oottathur).He did poojas and abhishekam with the water of Brahma Theertham and was absolved of his curse.

Even today, the water from the spring is used for the pooja. This water is believed to have therapeutic properties and is capable of curing several diseases and illnesses. It is understood that when Raja Raja was unwell, he came here and got cured by the water of Brahma Theertham. Till date, several hundreds of devotees carry back the water of Brahma Theertham and are relieved of ailments.

Appar

When Appar, one of the Nayanmars was on his way to Oottathur from the place now known as Paadalur, he was surprised to see the entire path to the temple covered with Shivalingams. Fearing that he by mistake put his feet at a place on a lingam, Appar remained at Paadalur and sang about the Suddha Ratneswara temple. Since he sang from there, the place came to be known as Padalur (the place where the song was sung from) which has now transformed to Paadaalur.

History of The Temple

This temple, originally built in the 7th Century, was again rebuilt by Raja Raja during his rule. It was also aided by his son Rajendra Chola I and grandson, Rajadhiraja Chola. There are over fifty engravings in this temple to support this.

King Raja Raja had built a temple to the North of Oottathur called Chozheswaram which he frequently visited. The original Suddha Ratneswara Temple was buried under the sand during that time and was concealed by thick Bilwa trees and bushes. The King's men set out to clear the path for the King to pass through comfortably.

While they were removing the bushes, one of the men’s spades hit an object below the ground. The moment it made contact, blood started pouring out from it. Alarmed, the men cleared the ground surrounding the area, which they were clearing. To their astonishment, they found a Shivalingam made of the purest form of ruby (Suddha manickam or Suddha Ratnam) with a deep cut on top where the spade had made contact. They immediately informed the king who in turn rushed to the spot, found the priceless treasure, and decided to construct a temple. Further digging revealed the remains of the old temple, which were intact. The temple was renovated and extended to the form that exists today by Raja Raja.

Pooja Timings

1. Ukshakala Pooja – 05:30 am
2. Kala santhi Pooja – 08:00 am
3. Uchikala Pooja – 11:30 am
4. Sayaratchai Pooja – 05:30 pm
5. Irandam Kala Pooja – 07:30 pm
6. Arthajama Pooja – 09:00 pm

Festivals

1. Prathosam Pooja
2. Masi Magam
3. Thiruvathira
4. Navratri Vazhipadu
5. Karthigai Vazhipadu
6. Margazhi
7. Chitra Pournami
8. Vinayagar Chaturthi
9. Diwali
10. Tamil New Year
11. Pournami Pooja
12. Amavasa

How to Reach Oottathur Suddha Rathneswarar Temple

Airport

The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli International Airport.

Railways

The nearest railway station is Tiruchirappalli Junction Railway Station.

Road

Oottathur is about 45 kms from Trichy and about 5 kms from Padalur. On the NH 45 when you are travelling towards Trichy after you cross Thanthai Hans Roever College and Sanjeeviraya Hanuman Temple on your left, you would find a board reading Padalur. Turn left and proceed for about five kms then you will reach Ottathur Shiva Temple.

Temple Address

Suddha Rathneswarar Temple,
Oottathur, Lalkudi Taluk, Tiruchirappalli District,
Tamil Nadu, India, Pincode – 621109.