Wednesday, 3 July 2024

Shri Ramaswamy Thirukovil / ஸ்ரீ இராமசாமி திருக்கோயில், Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.

This place Cheranmahadevi is on the banks of River Thamirabarani and was named after a Queen of a Chera King. During Chozha period this place was a Brahmadeya Village also called as Nigarili Chaturvedi Mangalam, gifted to Brahmins, who are well-versed in 4 Vedas. 


Moolavar   : Sri Vedanarayana Perumal
Utsavar     : Sri Ramar, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman
Thayar      : Sri Vedavalli Thayar

Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a mottai gopuram and mandapam. Ramar with Hanuman and Ramar sculptures are on the pillars of the entrance mandapam. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudan are in front of the temple. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of ardha mandapam. Moolavar Sri Narayanar is in three postures on three levels, as Standing, Sitting and reclining postures. All the three Moolavars and Consorts are made of stucco, painted with herbal extracts.

In praharam, Alwars, Viswaksenar, Adi Narayana Perumal. There is no separate sannidhi for Thayar.




PC : Website
PC : Website

ARCHITECTURE
The temple is with ashtanga Vimanam to accommodate Maha Vishnu’s Standing posture in ground floor, Sitting posture in 2nd level and reclining posture, in third level. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta Kumudam and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with Vedika. The Pilasters are of brahmakantha pilaster with kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus and viyyalavari. The regular vimanam starts from 1st tala. The sigaram is of vesara style with single kalasam.   

The mukha mandapa ceiling lintels / beams has the sculptures of epic Ramayan episodes.









HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
As per chozha period inscriptions this place was called as Mulli nattu Brahmadeya alias Nigarili Chaturvedi Mangalam and Shiva was called as Nigarizhi Chozha Vinnagar Udayar. Latter Pandya period inscriptions records this place as Cheramadevi chaturvedi mangalam – சேரமாதேவி சதுர்வேதி மங்கலம் and Maha Vishnu as, Vana Thuvarapathi aazhvaar – வன துவரபதி ஆழ்வார்.

Rajaraja Chozha-I’s, 24th reign year inscription records this place as Cheraman mahadevi Chaturvedimangalam- சேரமான் மகாதேவி சதுவேதிமங்கலம். The same kings another Vattezhuthu inscription records this place as Nigarili Chozha chaturvedimangalamநிகரிலிச் சோழ சதுர்வேதி மங்கலம்.  

The Rajendra Chozha’s 3rd reign year ( 1012 – 1044 CE ) inscription records an endowment of burning a perpetual lamp, and arrangements are made for the supply of ghee.

The Pandya King Sundara Chōlapandya 14th reign year inscription ( SII XIV-No. 152, A.R. No. 712 of 1916 ), is damaged at several places, records a gift of land made by the sabha of Nigariliśōla chaturvēdimangalam for providing certain offerings to the image of god Uyyakkoņdālvår in the temple of Nigarilisõla Vinnagar..

The Pandya King Jațāvarman Sundara Chōlapāndya’s 15th reign year inscription ( SII XIV-No. 153, A.R. No. 700 of 1916 ), records a gift of pieces of land by a certain Parāntakan Niraiñjān alias Diśai Ayirattaiññürruva Dasamad?...... viran for the maintenance of a watchman ( tirumeykäppu ) for the temple of Nigarilisõla vinnagar Alvar. The donor appears to have belonged to a trading guilds indicated by the name Disai Ayirattaiññürruvan borne by him.

The Kings name not known and 22+ 1st  reign year ( SII XIV-No. 256, A.R. No. 709 of 1916 ), inscription is incomplete and it stops after the mentioning the name of the village.

Ref:
1. South Indian Inscriptions Volume – XIV.
2. நெல்லை கட்டபொம்மன் மாவட்டம் கையேடு, Published by Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department. 

LEGENDS
Even though this temple is dedicated to Maha Vishnu as Vedanarayana Perumal, the Utsavars are Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. Hence this temple is called as Ramasamy temple. Also it is believed that Rama worshipped Maha Vishnu of this temple. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta ekadasi, Ramar Jayanthi and all important vaishnavite auspicious days.


TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The Bhattar Parthasarathy’s mobile number +919952582506 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH
This Ramasamy Temple is about 2 KM from Cheranmahadevi bus stand. 17 KM from Tirunelveli Junction, 19 KM from Ambasamudram and 48 KM from Tenkasi.
Nearest Railway station is Cheranmahadevi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE   : CLICK HERE

Rama with Hanuman and --- Rama 
Rama -- Arjuna's dabas


--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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