New Sannidhi for Legendary composer Venkatakavi
A Stage for music and dance artistes to present Kutcheri / Dance performances
Renovation of the Temple Tank will see the revival of the annual Float Festival and the enactment of the Kalinga Narthana episode inside the tank
It has been a long wait of 27 years. The previous samprokshanam at the Nalankonda Chola period Kalinga Narthana temple in Oothukadu took place in 1988. That Samprokshanam itself had taken place after 16 years of renovation efforts (renovation had started in 1972 and was completed in 1988!!!!). In the early part of this decade, the temple had worn a dilapidated look with falling walls, broken pillars and a dry tank (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2010/05/kalinga-narthana-temple-oothukadu.html)
After nearly three years of activity, the renovation that has been long overdue is finally nearing completion with the Samprokshanam being slated for Monday Oct 26. Over Rs. 3 crores has been spent in this current exercise.
This is an exclusive temple dedicated to Lord Krishna in his Kalinga Narthana Posture and relates to an episode of Krishna in his childhood days.
Raja Gopuram and Vimanams
The Eastern temple tower that had been in a dilapidated condition sports a grand look with beautiful new sculptures depicting the Kalinga Narthana episode. All the Vimanas too have been refurbished. The outer walls of the temple that had been completely damaged were brought down and new walls have been built. At the entrance on the main road off the Kumbakonam- Thiru Karugavur highway, a grand arch has been erected welcoming the devotees.
Child Krishna’s activities as paintings
An interesting addition to the temple is the presentation through a number of artistic paintings, in the Maha Mandapa, of Krishna’s childhood activities including his Kalinga Narthana episode and his flute recital that lured even the trees and plants, besides animals in the Gokulam neighbourhood (http://prtraveller.blogspot.in/2015/09/krishna-plays-flute.html)
The Madapalli too has been rebuilt. A grand ‘Anna Dhanam’ event is being planned during the Samprokshanam. Yet another new addition is the Yaga Salai where Prarthana Homams are being planned every month on the Rohini Star.
Venkata Kavi’s contributions
The temple has a historical connect with the music world for it was here that the music .legend Venkata (Kavi) Subba Iyer composed many of his memorable and unforgettable songs including Swagatham Krishna, Alaipayuthey Kanna, Aadathu Asangathu, Thaaye Yashoda, Kannan Varukinra Neram Karai Oram, Paal Vadiyum Mugam, Pillai Piravi Venum and Enna Thavam Seitheno.
Venkata Kavi’s ‘Omkara Siddhaiga Kalinga Narthana’ is a specific reference to the Lord of Oothukadu. He also composed 7songs referred to as Saptha Rathna Keerthanai. A new sannidhi has been built in memory of this great poet. A new music cum dance stage has been erected next to his sannidhi.
Musician Aruna Sairam who had contributed significantly to the renovation efforts (she had presented an exclusive concert in Madras a few years back whose proceeds were directed to the renovation of this temple) will present a concert at this stage this Sunday Oct 25, on the eve of the Samprokshanam.
Arangetram for Music / Dance artistes
In centuries gone by, plays used to be presented through the night in front of the temple during Vasanthotsavam (May-June). The temple is looking to initiate similar concerts/plays at the newly erected stage starting with the Krishna Jayanthi festival in Avani next year. The stage is also expected to be a platform for arangetram for upcoming artistes.
A renovated house for the Bhattar
As part of this exercise, the Bhattar’s house opposite the temple has also been renovated
The Legend
Nandini and Patti, the children of sacred cow Kamadhenu, had made it a practice to offer milk to Lord Pasupatheeswarar in Avoor, about 2kms from here. Every morning, the two would graze here at Oothukadu. On one such trip, they listened to Sage Narada’s narration of the story of child Krishna taking on the poisonous asura snake (Kalinga) and performing the Kalinga Narthana.
To relieve them from the shock of listening to this treacherous episode, Krishna presented the Kalinga Narthana display here at the temple tank ( by emerging out of a spring) thus convincing them that this was nothing but a child’s play for him.
Unique Posture
An interesting feature at the Oothukadu Perumal temple is the unique posture of Kalinga Narthana. His left leg is seen on top of the Asura Snake but not touching the snake (there is just a small gap of the size of a paper). His left thumb alone is holding the tail of the snake with none of his other four fingers in contact with the tail!! His four fingers are in a Bharatanatyam Abhinaya Kolam.
His right leg is seen above the ground in a dance posture. On a close look, one can find the scars on his right leg below the knee, the result of his fight with Kalinga. His left leg is seen atop the Serpent. Here too there seems to be a small gap between the Lord’s feet and the Serpent hood, the size of a thread. Since Kalinga surrendered finally to the Lord, he was a little soft at the end and is believed to have not placed his full force on the Serpent’s hood.
Revival of Float Festival
It was here at this location (when Krishna emerged from the spring) that there used to be an annual float festival with an enactment of the Kalinga Narthana episode through a puppetry show. The Lord used to be taken to the Neeraata Mandapa (now defunct) at the centre of the tank and puppets would emerge out of the tank with their heads masked as hoods displaying a serpent with five heads and (puppet) Krishna would dance atop them.
This was a major celebratory event every year presented in memory of this historical episode and used to be watched by a huge number of devotees from across the region.
Phase 2 of Renovation
In the 2nd phase post the Samprokshnam, the temple is looking to rebuild the mandapa in the middle of the tank and to revive the float festival and the enactment of this episode. The temple is also looking to build walls around the sacred garden where the sacred cows had grazed early in the morning.
Prarthana Sthalam
The temple is a Prarthana Sthalam for upcoming music and dance artistes. Kalinga Narthana is said to fulfil all their prayers and bring them success in their art. This is also believed to be a Prarthana Sthalam for the unmarried as well as childless couples.
The temple is open between 930am-12noon and 5pm-8pm Contact: 04374 268549 / 94426 99355
Oothukadu is 14kms from Kumbakonam on the Avoor-Thirukarugavur –Thittai road. Buses ply every half hour between Kumbakonam and Avoor. From Aavoor, auto will cost Rs. 50.
