VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Sri Kothanda Ramar Temple / Eri Katha Ramar Temple / ஏரிகாத்த ராமர் கோயில், Madurantakam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

Wednesday, 14 November 2018

Sri Kothanda Ramar Temple / Eri Katha Ramar Temple / ஏரிகாத்த ராமர் கோயில், Madurantakam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.

11^th November 2018.

This Kothanda Ramar temple at Madurantakam is popularly known as Eri-Katha Ramar temple, probably from 1795 CE, when Sri Rama and Lakshmana had done a miracle by saving the Eri / lake and People from the flood, for the prayer of then British Collector. The place Maduranthakam is also called Vakularanyam & Maha Devi Kshethram. Madurantakam is also called Madurantaka Chaturvedi Mangalam, Vaikunta Varthanam, Thirumathurai, Karunakarapuram, etc,.

PC - Website

Moolavar : Sri Kothanda Ramar ( aka ) Eri - Katha Ramar Temple.

Thayar : Sri Janaka Valli Thayar

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram without much stucco images. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Garudalwar are immediately after the Rajagopuram. Anjaneyar Sanadhi is opposite Kothanda Ramar Temple. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum.

In the Sanctum Moolavar Ramar ( Ramar is holding the hands of Seetha ), Seetha and Lakshmana. Since Ramar is holding the hands of Seetha (Kalyana Kolam ), Moolavar is called different names as Kalyana Ramar, Seetha Ramar, and Seetha Lakshmi Samedha Sri Kothanda Ramar. Urchavar is Sri Bhoomi Neela samedha Sri Karunakara Perumal.

In the outer prakaram Sannadhi for Narasimhar, Chakkarathalwar, Janakavalli Thayar ( Daughter of Janaka Maharaja ), Andal, Vishwaksena, Udayavar ( The conch and Chakra given during panchasamaskara to Sri Ramanujar by Sri Periya Nambi and the Kannan idol are kept in the sannadhi ), Periya Nambikal and mandapam under a Vakula Tree called Pancha Samskara mandapam. There is a tunnel through which the lake water flows to the temple tank ( passes through the Temple mandapam ).

ARCHITECTURE

The Sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam, maha mandapam and a Mukha mandapam. The Vimanam above the sanctum is called Pushpaka Vimanam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with three patta Kumudam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Chozha period inscriptions are found on the adhistanam. This place may be named after the Chozha King Parantaka Chozha's son Madurantakan and the eri was called Veera chozha Pereri. This place was mentioned in the 7th - 8th Century Pallava period inscription on a stone slab at Kadaperi Shiva Temple. This place was suited for living by the Brahmins (may be given as a gift) who were well versed in 4 Vedas, hence called Madurantaka ChaturVedi Mangalam. The temple also received the contributions from the Vijayanagar.

As per the inscriptions Kothanda Ramar Temple was called as "Ayodhya Perumal Vinnagaram - அயோத்திய பெருமாள் விண்ணகரம்". This place was called Jayangonda Chozha Mandalathu Kalathur Kottathu Thaniyur alias Madurantaka Chaturvedi Mangalam. The 5 inscriptions recorded by the Archaeology Department, include the Kulothunga Chozha's son Parantaka, who ruled the Vengi region. One of the inscriptions mentions Karunguzli alias PidagaipaRRu on the north of Madurantakam. During the Chozha period Madurantaka Cheri, Irumudi Chozha Cheri, and Thina Chinthamani Commercial Shop Street existed. Veera Narayana Street, Veera Chozha Vaikkal, and Veera Chozhar Perangadi have existed in the name of Parataka's title names.

PerunguRRi sabha gifted land to this temple as Thiruvidaiyattam. During Vikrama Chozha's period the Peruvazhis - பெருவழிகள் are 3 kol width.

Vijayanagara King Venkatapathy Raya's period ( 1600 CE ) inscription records the gift of Madurantakam, Uthiramerur to Velukottiyachamar for conquering Velu Lingi reddy.

In 1073 CE Pakkathottam was gifted to this temple as Thevadhanam.

Vikrama Chozha's period ( 1125 CE ) inscription records the gift of 4 Padaka dry lands after converting them into cultivated lands. Another inscription of the same King records the Kothanda Ramar's name as "Ayodya Peruman".

The Madurantaka Pereri was excavated during Parantaka's period. Some historians claim that the eri was excavated during Kulothunga Chozha's son Parantakan, Please refer to SII V N 0093, for more details.

Ref:

Tholliyal Nokkil Kanchipuram Mavattam, by Sa Krishnamurthy.

Inscriptions

LEGENDS

As per the legend Suga Maharishi and Vibhandaka Rishi lived here. The Visitathwaitham philosopher Sri Periya Naimbi initiated the Panchasamsakaram (Tapam, Pundram, Namam, Mantram, and Yagam) to Sri Ramanujar under the Vakula Tree ( Makila tree ). This event was referred to in Vaduka Nambi in his Ethiraja Vaibhavam. After the initiation, Udayavar was called Ramanujar.

Thirumazhisai Alwar attained siddhi in this Place.

An Udumbu / monitor lizard got relieved from a Curse in this temple.

Drawing of Ramanujar initiation

A miracle-based event happened in this temple. During British Rule, the Madurantakam lake bund was about to breach, due to heavy rain and flood. If it happened, the entire village with people might have been washed away. After his effort failed to protect the bund of the lake, the helpless District Collector Lionel Place Durai, prayed to Sri Kothanda Rama to save the people and the Village from this calamity. On the same day night, the collector had seen from the lightning light, Sri Rama and Lakshmana walked along the bund with bright light. The next day the rain stopped and the flood was also under control. From this incident onwards Sri Kothanda Ramar was called as Eri- Katha Ramar (Ramar who saved the lake ). As a token of thanksgiving the British District Collector renovated Sri Janaka Valli Thayar sannidhi.