History of Thandanthottam
The Original name of this sacred place is 'Thandavanthottam'. It is located 3 miles from the Oppiliappan Temple, in the southeast direction & is better known as 'Thandanthottam'. This Temple has significant historical significance, and is situated at the Bank of 'Arasalaru', 14 kms away from Kumbakonam. This place is 4 furlongs away from a small village called 'Murukkangudi' in the south direction.
'Manikatti Pullaiyar' welcomes us just after covering 2 furlongs. When Lord Siva was dancing, a bell gave way and fell down from his leg. Pullaiyar found it out and restored it on his father's leg. Thus he got the name 'Manikatti Pullaiyar'! The name of this place got subsequently changed from 'Nardhanapuri' to 'Thandavapuri' to 'Thandavanthottam'.
Sri Natanapureeswarar
It is said that three Siva Temples first existed in this village. Out of these, one temple got completely damaged. The Agastheesawarar Temple got destroyed and only the Agastheeswarar idol is graciously present in a small hut. In the opposite Sri Natanapureeswarar temple, the Abhirami Amman exists. Sri Natansapureeswarar Temple is located in the northeast quarter of the place. It is an old temple, having several historical evidences - and is situated facing the east.
The metallic books of 'Thandanthottam' are famous. Through these Books we come to know that this place earned its name during the times of the Pallavas & Cholas. These Books talk about the second Nandivarma Pallavas, who reined Kanchi in the 8th Century. We understand that it is he who constructed the Sri Vaikunta Perumal Temple in Kanchi. Also we learn from these books that Nandivarman won the war against the Ganga Cholan, Sri Purushan & captured the 'Ugrodhayam' (diamond chain) and 'Pattavardhana' (elephant) from the Ganga Chola King. The Statues of the Gods in the Kanchi Sri Vaikunta Perumal temple bring these scenes in front of our eyes, and the sculptures existing therein describe these events. These metallic books also tell us about granting land to Veda experts and donating land for reading Mahabharatam in both the temples. Sri Natansapureeswarar Temple is in a square shape. After the Pallavas in the days of the Cholas, the sanctum sanctorum & Ardha Mandapam were renovated, but were subsequently damaged. The surrounding walls were also destroyed, and got reconstructed in later years. Sri Natansapureeswarar is graciously present with great sacred beauty in the shape of a Sivalinga.
Presently the idol of Sri Nataraja Perumar is not there. In 1972 it was stolen.
Sri DakshinaMurthy is an ancient idol & Sages exist alone. In the western arcade surrounding the shrine, Vinayagar, Shanimugar accompanied by Valli and Deivayani are placed. They are shown as a statue called 'Vanadurgai' in the sanctum sanctorum quarter of the northern part. Whether it is Vanadurgai and whether it belongs to that quarter is not clearly understood. Nandi's sacred face is also there. Nearby another Woman is also there, a similar statues of whose is near Mahalakshimi Sannidhi in Thiruveezhimizhalai temple.
50 years back, Kumbhabhishekham was performed in this temple, and presently several sacred activities are conducted here. At the northwest of the Temple, a tank named Brahma Theertham is there. In the front, the Kali Temple exists. Statues of Saptha Mathaas Veerabhadrar & Pullaiyar, which were there, have been kept in Sivalaya. As the name suggests, Sri Kalyana Sundara Murthy is also there (with a beautiful physique) in the Sri Natansapureeswarar Temple. He is also known as Mappillai Swami. However, because of the non-availability of an appropriate security, for the time being, he is graciously present along with Sri Kathayayini Ambal in the Oppiliyappan Temple behind iron bars. Lucky he is…for this Mappillai Swami, his brother-in-law's house happens to be a safe place!
Agathiyar did not witness Samani's sacred marriage in the North. However, he enjoyed seeing it in South. He asked Kalyana Sundarar for 2 boons. First boon - Those who find it difficult to get married, should get married soon, in case they worship Vaikasi Vishaka sacred marriage held every year. Second Boon - Those who come here and worship the Perumar should get the effect of worshipping in Kailas. Swami granted the Boons. Agathiyar sage lived in this village and worshipped Agastheeswarar. Presently the same Agastheeswarar stays in a small hut at the south side of the Sri Natansapureeswarar Temple. Very soon a temple should be built there.
At the outside mandap of Sri Natansapureeswarar Temple, mother Sivakamasundari faces south & is placed sacredly. As a very beautiful idol - the Goddess is present with a goad in the upper arms, Abhayahasthanam in the lower right arm and her left hand resting on her hip. At the South west of the Sivalaya, Sri Varadaraja Perumal is graciously present along with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Also present are Navaneedhakrishnan accompanied by Rukmini - Sathyabhama, Sri Lakshminarayanan, Vishwagchenar, Sri Anjaneyar & Ramanuja idols. Vinayagar temple with a destroyed roof is there at the South of that temple. We prayed to Vigneeswaran that the temple be renovated at the earliest and the Kumbabhishekam performed.
Sri Velayudaswami
Usually Iyanar, the village deity is graciously present at the land area of the village end. However, at Thandanthottam, Sri Ayyappan is present in the middle of the village. He is called 'Malayala Shastha'. The people of this village worship him as Sri Velayudaswami. He is the boon-giver. In Kaliyuga, he grants boons. He is the actual God, and is the deity of several families. Many families derive benefit from his compassionate eyesight, and live happily. These village residents begin any good job, only after saying 'Velayudham Velayudham', and from other villages, number of people keep coming to offer their sincere prayers. Even though the Moolavar is Sastha, people worship him as Muruga accompanied by Valli & Deivayanai. With a view to identifying the God in the manner, the residents of the village have made and kept a spear on his hand & a peacock at the base. On the same base, their 3 statues are erected. Swami's right arm is posing as Abhayastham. An elephant, and base for offering sacrifices are in front of the sacred place facing east.
On the Wednesday after Amavasya in Chithirai month, special festivals are performed on Sri Velayudhaswami, who is flower-decorated for 10 days. On the 9th day, the 'Parivettai' festival is celebrated happily. That day, the Swami is taken in a procession on a horse - driven carriage for an approximately 2-mile distance in the land area. This scene is worth seeing & enjoying. Next day, Kavaidi items are conducted very admirably. People of this village, without conducting this festival do not thrash heaps of straw, which are post harvest in Thai month. One person did not follow this tradition in one year and his life was in danger. People are therefore are very careful in thrashing heaps of straw only after completion of the festival.