Sri Mahasaraswathi Temple - Goddess Saraswathi - Saraswathi Temple

Sri Mahasaraswathi Temple is a unique temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi. It is situated in Koothanoor near Poonthottam in Tiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu. Goddess Saraswathi is the preceding deity of this temple. The glory of Goddess Saraswathi is truly wonderful. This is a Gnanapeetam, which means a shrine of wisdom. It is also known as Dakshina Triveni. There are other shrines in the temple of Valampuri Vinayaka, Baladandayuthapani, Nagar, Brahmma, Brahmmapureeswar, Swan. Some of the great poets such as Ottakoothar, Ovathakoothar, Purushothama gained scholarship by worshipping Goddess Mahasaraswathi in this temple. One must keep chanting and remembering her name to get all his desired fulfilled.

Appearance of Goddess Mahasaraswathi

Shri Mahasaraswathi is the goddess of wisdom. The idol of Goddess Mahasarawathi appears holding a book in the lower left hand showing a protective symbol called Chinmudra in the lower right hand facing in the eastward direction. She is holding a Chain of letters i.e Akshara Mala in the upper right hand and the pot of Amrit in the left upper hand. Her eyes can be seen showering the grace and the third eye showering knowledge and wisdom to the devotees. She is wears a white crystal dress and is seated on the White Lotus.

Each possession of Goddess Mahasarawathi has a special significance. The Akshara Mala represents philosophy of creation. The pot of Amrit indicates results of hard penance and the consequent achievement of wisdom and bliss. Book in the lower left hand indicates that learning is a continuous process. The Chinmudra represents protection of the devotees from ignorance.

The Swan, pure white in colour has a strange characteristic of absorbing only the milk. Thus, leaving behind the water mixed in it. This characteristics teaches a lesson that the subject chosen for learning should be noble and wise.

History of Sri Mahasaraswathi Temple

Once a dispute arose between Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswathi where the goddess claimed that the place (brahma lok)  looked beautiful only because of her presence. Brahma disputed on this and the quarrel increased to such a height that they both started cursing each other. As an effect of the curse, both of them were born on earth to a single couple as brother and sister. As they grew up and became suitable for marriage, both of them recalled their earlier relationship and approached Lord Shiva for the solution. Lord Shiva made Saraswathi a part of the Ganga river and brought her to Koothanur as Arisal river also known as Rudraganga. She became the holy Water for Lord Shiva and was also blessed with a temple for herself to reside in Koothanur known as Sri Mahasaraswathi temple.

As per the other legend, Rajaraja Chola II presented this place as a gift to the poet Ottakoothar for his achievements, that is why it is named as Koothanoor. It is also called as Ambalpuri.

Significance of Sri Maha Saraswathi Temple

Devotees seeking wisdom, knowledge and education come to this temple to get blessed with name and fame. Bringing children to the temple for the puja before admitting to a school is a regular practise here. People aspiring higher education, art and crafts, music visit the temple to get their desires fulfilled.

Devotees bathe Goddess Mahasaraswathi with honey, milk, turmeric water, curd, ghee, fruit juices and offer white clothes. The Nivedhana (prasad) offered to the Goddess is distributed among the visitors of the temple.

A special puja is organized during the Navaratri festival in Purattasi (September-October) and Vaikasi month (May-June). It is believed that, those who perform rituals for the ancestors on the bank of Arasalaru river during the Thai month (January-February) gain great benefits from the blessing of their elders.