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eferred to as ‘Then Gokulam’ and dating back to the Chozha period, the Kalinga Narthana temple in Oothukkadu, built by Nalankonda
Chozha and believed to be the only temple
dedicated to Lord Krishna in his Kalinga
Narthana posture, has a unique music
connection. For, it was here that Venkata
(Kavi) Subba Iyer composed many of his
unforgettable songs including ‘Swagatham
Krishna,’ and ‘Alaipayuthey Kanna.’ Venkata
Kavi’s ‘Omkara Siddhaiga Kalinga Narthana’ is a specific reference to the Lord of Oothukkadu. Venkata Kavi also composed seven songs referred as Saptha Rathna.
The temple is hoping that leading Carnatic
musicians who present the Pancharatna kritis of Tyagaraja every year at Tiruvayaru, will come forward and present Venkata Kavi’s Saptha Rathna at this temple. Legend has it that Nandini and Patti, calves of Kamadhenu, had made it a practice to offer milk to Lord Kailasanatha of Aavoor, about two km from here on the northeastern side. Also, every morning,
the two would collect flowers for the Lord from the garden. On one such occasion, they happened to listen to Sage Narada’s narration of the story about five-year-old Krishna taking on the deadly snake Kalinga. Moved by the hardship young Krishna was subjected to, the calves plunged into sorrow. A worried Kamadhenu approached Krishna for a solution and the latter appeared at the Pushpa Vanam in
Oothukkadu and presented Kalinga Narthana
to convince the two that it was child’s play
for him. Narada requested the Lord to provide darshan as Kalinga Narthana and installed the
idol (utsavar) with Nandini and Patti standing on either side. Moolavar is Vedanarayana
Perumal, his consort being Mahalakshmi.
This temple is a favourite destination of aspiring artists.
Also, devotees throng the shrine to pray for offspring. Neglected for many years, the
temple is in a state of disrepair. It has been 25 years since it has been renovated. The outer walls have developed cracks. The entire
complex, except the sanctum and the Rajagopuram, has been taken up for reconstruction. Plans are afoot to erect a new shrine for Venkata Kavi. Also, a stage is being set up with plans to organise programmes
to mark Venkata Kavi’s birthday in the Tamil month of Aippasi. Renovation of the temple tank and garden is also on the anvil. Work is progressing at a slow pace for lack of funds although philanthropists are helping. Those interested in supporting the cause may contact 94426 99355/96656 75102/04374-268549 or the trust in Chennai (98846 20129). Donations may be sent directly to the temple at Oothukkadu Sri Kalinga Narthana Krishna Kainkarya Trust, 2/210 Sri Krishna Vilasa Agraharam,
Oothukkadu – 612 701, Avoor Via, Valangaiman
Taluk, Tiruvarur District. Also donations
may be directly transferred via NEFT at Oothukkadu Sri Kalinga Narthana Krishna
Kainkarya Trust, TN Mercantile Bank,
Govindakudy Branch, Account No.
085100710400133 IFSC TMBL0000085.
HOW TO REACH:
Oothukkadu is about 14 k.m. from Kumbakonam on the Aavoor-Thirukarugavur-Thittai road.
Buses ply every half hour between Kumbakonam and Aavoor. Auto fare from Aavoor is Rs. 70.
There are also direct buses to the temple (Oothukkadu) from Kumbakonam. Auto fare from
Kumbakonam railway station is about Rs. 300.
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