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Set in sylvan surroundings

An ancient temple and a tank near Othakadai are well protected by locals today

Photo:G.Moorthy,

Beckoning Venerated water body with lotus and water lilies at Yanamalai Kodikulam Photo:G.Moorthy,

Visible from Madurai-Tiruchi Highway, the significance of this serene place, tucked at the foot of the Yanaimalai, is perhaps little or not known to the outside world.

The road which turns left after Othakadai from the Highway goes up to Yanaimalai Kodikulam, the nearest human habitation. While driving through the village, a big water tank draws attention what with lotus and water lilies beckoning one to stop by. The noise of the distant highway traffic is an aberration here. As one tries to go near the tank, a boy comes running pointing to the footwear. The tank is a venerated water body by residents of Kodikulam. According to legend, Lord Brahma created this tank while doing penance at the nearby Vedanarayana Perumal Temple.

Though the tank is a perennial source for the villagers, water is not drawn directly from it. The locals go to the nearby well for all their requirements. No person dares to dirty the water here. There is no washing or bathing done here. Water stands almost to the brim even in summer. This, however, is not the main or only attraction here. There is a small temple for Vedanarayana Perumal near the tank. At the back of the temple are a cave and a rare tree. The cave holds a lot of significance for Vaishnavites. It was here the idols of Namperumal and his consorts of the Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, were kept in safe custody by a group of ardent devotees, led by Pillailokachariar. The idols were taken out of the Srirangam temple in 1323 A. D. during the second invasion of the temple by Delhi forces. On an earlier occasion, in 1311, the forces laundered the wealth of the temple.

On their onward journey to safety, the idols were kept at the cave near the Brahma Theertham in Kodikulam. The thick forest and the presence of a rare tree species, referred to as Jothi,’ were the reasons for choosing the cave. These trees glowed in the night providing light for the devotees. The ancient name of this place is Jothishkudi,’ derived from the ’Jothi tree.’

When Pillailokachariar noticed the movement of Sultan’s forces around Jothishkudi’ one day, he carried the idol up the Yanaimalai hill. But the forces did not enter the forest. After spending a few days at the hill top without food, Pllailokachariar decided to climb down. In the process, he fell down and sustained grievous injuries. However, he ensured that the fall did not damage the idol in any way. Before breathing his last, he gave instructions to his disciples to protect the idols. The path to the cave has been cleaned up and a memorial erected for Pillailokachariar recently.

S.ANNAMALAI

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