VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Thondanur Lake & Ramanujar Statue / தொண்டனூர் ஏரி மற்றும் ராமானுஜர் சிலை, Thondanur / Thondanoor, Mandya District, Karnataka.

Tuesday, 29 August 2023

Thondanur Lake & Ramanujar Statue / தொண்டனூர் ஏரி மற்றும் ராமானுஜர் சிலை, Thondanur / Thondanoor, Mandya District, Karnataka.

The visit to this Thondanur Lake & Ramanujar Statue, one of the Tourist spot of Thondanoor was a part of Karnataka State, Hoysala Period Shiva and temple’s visit on 30^th July 2023, organised by தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் "திருக்கச்சி" FB Group.

The lake is spread over 2200 acres, surrounded by small mountains. Many claim that this lake was man-made during the Vishnuvardhana period under the guidance of Saint Ramanujacharya. (1017 – 1137 CE). But the fact may be different. Rainwater from the small mountains around this lake might have gone to waste, and a bund might have been constructed to store water with a sluice Gate to regulate the water flow. The outflow was used for irrigation and drinking. The lake was called ‘Thirumala sagara' during Vishnuvardhana’s period.

A Narasimha temple was also constructed on one of the hills around the lake during Saint Ramanuja's time. The statue of Saint Ramanuja, in a sitting posture, was installed in recent years on the outflow side of the lake.