Oothukadu

Sri Kalinga Narthana Perumal - Oothukadu

Sri Kalinga Narthana Perumal Temple- Oothukadu

Oothukadu is a small but a historical temple near Kumbakonam for Lord Krishna. As per the the legends the enchanting idol of Krishna dancing on the five head serpent as Sri Kalinga Narthana Perumal, was found by Sage Naradha from a nearby small pond named Kalinga madu and was later installed at the sanctrum sanctorum of Sri Veda Narayana Perumal Temple. It is beleived that Sage Naradha himself had reincarnated as Sri Venkata Subha Iyyer and composed and sang numerous songs praising Sri Kalinga Narthana Perumal.

Sri Kalinga Narthana Perumal

The idol of Sri Kalinga Narthana Perumal is a beautiful sight to watch.The idol of Sri Kaalinga Narthana Perumaal is about 2.5 ft high. Lord Krishnaa, portrayed as a five year old balaga (child) is seen dancing with his left foot on the serpent's head and his right leg in the air.His left hand does not fully hold the serpent’s tail. There is a hairline gap between the serpent’s hood and the left foot of the idol.

Plaque detailing the sthala puranam of the Temple

The temple itself is not huge, with only one praharam and a few sannidhis. It was in a dilapidated condition , but later with the help of devotees and philanthropists, this temple was renovated and consecrated.The shrine is visited by devotees who pray for settlement of marriage alliances and birth of offspring.

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Veda Narayana Perumal along with His consorts Sridevi and Boodevi.

Utsavar is the Sri Kalinga Narthana Perumal along with His two consorts Rukmani and Sathyabhama.

Other Sannidhis: There are sannidhis for Narthana Vinayakar at the main entrance, Panchamukha Hanuman, Aandal and Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi inside the temple.

Oothukkadu Venkatakavi : Mahakavi Venkata Subba Iyer, popularly known as Venkata Kavi, who is beleived to be the reincarnation of Sage Naradha is believed to have lived before Shyama Sastry, Thyagaraja, and Muthuswamy Dikshidar in early 18th century and he spent his entire life at Oothukkadu composing many songs praising Sri Kalinga Narthana Perumal ,such as "Alaipayuthae Kanna,Alaipayuthae", "Swaagatham Krishna" and many more. The begining verses of some of these songs can be found on the temple walls.

It is a surprise that somehow none of the twelve Alwars have visited here and mentioned about Lord Sri Kalinga Narthana Perumal and about Oothukkadu in any of their verses and hence this is not considered as a Divya Desam. To compensate this, Venkatakavi with selfless and pure devotion to Lord Krishna, had composed and sung about the plays enacted by Krishna at Oothukkadu. Even after centuries, these compositions holds us in a trance and sung in every occassion by our popular Carnatic singers.

Temple location It is situated around 9 kms from Kumbakonam via a village called Korukkai. Town buses and mini buses are available from Kumbakonam, but please check the bus timings with the bus stand.

Temple Timings The temple in not heavily patronised hence the archakar may not come promptly. It is normally open from 9:00 AM till 12:00 and from 5:00pm till 7:30 pm

How to reach? Temple is situated approximately 11kms from Kumbakonam. From Kumbakonam, one can reach Oothukkadu via Patteeswaram-Avoor road

Where to Stay?There are no places to stay in Oothukadu. There are many semi deluxe hotels in Kumbakonam
Where to Eat?There are no restaurants in Oothukadu. You can reach Kumbakonam for lunch / dinner.
Other interesting places around Oothukadu Patteeswaram Durga, Ayyavadi Prathiyangara, Thirubhuvanam are some of the famous temples nearby or en route
Contact Jayaram Battachar,
Temple Priest
2/210, Shri Krishna Vilasam, Agraharam
Oothukkadu P.O., Avoor(VIA)-612 701
Phone: +91 - 4374-268549, Mobile: +91 - 9442699355
email:oothukkadu@gmail.com
Useful data
State: Tamil Nadu
District: Kumbakonam -Tanjore
Famous for: Pilgrimage
Languages: English,Tamil
Best Season: Throughout the year. Summer( from May to July) could be very hot and dry when the mercury shoots to 40 degree celsius.
Weather: Summer 33-42°C, Winter 16-28°C
Altitude: Sea level