Sri Kothanda Ramar Temple / ஸ்ரீ கோதண்டராமர் கோயில், நந்தம்பாக்கம் / Nandambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. - Uzhavaram with Sevas.

 18^th October 2015.

Joined the 159^th Uzhavaram of  Sevas at Sri Kothanda ramar Temple, Nandambakkam on 18^th October 2015.  Planned previously attend both Uzhavaram and Heritage Volunteers meet. Since the Volunteers time was preponed to 10.30 Hrs skipped the meet and joined with Sevas for the Uzhavaram.  This uzhavaram main task was to cleaning of all the sannadhis. The tasks was over by 12.00 Hrs and had our lunch after announcement and Kootu prarthanai.  It was told that  12 years before the first Uzhavaram of Sevas was started in this temple. It was a proud moment for the Sevas who are continuously associated.

SRI KOTHANDARAMAR TEMPLE, NANDAMBAKKAM.

 Sri Alarmel mangai thayar sannidhi Vimanam –Moolavar Vimanam -  Andal Sannadhi vimanam

 The five tier Rajagopuram ( Constructed during the year 2002 to 2003)

Moolavar   : Srinivasa Perumal.

Thayar      : Sri Alarmelmangai Thayar.

Some of the important features of this temple are…..

The Temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Vilakkuthoon ( now adorned with electric bulb ), Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Garudalwar are at the entrance. Moolavar Sri Srinivasa Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Sanctum. 

In the outer prakaram  sannadhi for  Astashara mandapam, Nammalwar, Anandha Anjaneyar, Nandhavana Kannan, Chakkarathalwar, Pavithra Urchava Mandapam, Maha urchava mandapam, Nandhavanam with Krishna.

In the mukha mandapam sannidhi for Thirukachi Nambigal, Sri Ramanujar, Manavala mamunigal and Kannadi arai.

In the inner mandapam sannadhi for Sri Anjaneyar, Sri Alarmel Mangai Thayar,  Andal and Sri Ramar Pattabhishekam moortham ( facing south ).

The specialty of this temple is Sri Rama blesses us in pattabhisheka kolam with Seetha on his lap and Lakshman, Bharathan and Sathrukkan are witnessing.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It was claimed that the temple was built by the prime minister Sanjeevi Rayar of Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara kingdom about 750 years before. There is no inscriptions available to prove the same.

As per the book Kanchipuram mavatta Varalaru,written by A Paa. Thirugnanasambandan, the temple was constructed by Thirukachi Nambigal in 1180 CE. 

In 1890 CE, Nammalwar sannidhi was built by Muthaliappa mudali.

Before 65 years when Parthasarathy of Triplicane came to Ekkattuthangal, came here also.

 Mukha mandapam.- Vijayanagara period Pillars and ceiling.

LEGENDS

This place was mentioned as Brindaranyam in Valmiki Ramayana and Nandhavanam  in Kamba Ramayanam. The name latter changed to Nandambakkam. Also the  names of  adjacent  Villages are associated with Ramayana like Ramapuram.

While Rama passes through this village in search of Seetha, he stayed here as per the request of Sri Bringi Muni ( Bringi Malai – St Thomas mount ), Ramar Stayed here.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open between 07.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs and 16.00 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Sri Balaji of the temple in-charge may be contacted over his mobile 9841195446

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about a km from Nandambakkam, Chennai Trade centre.  Nandambakkam is on the way between Guindy to Porur all the buses leading to Porur, Poonamallee will stop at Chennai Trade centre.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :   CLICK HERE

 Front view of the temple  Garudathoon, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar sannadhi 

 Narayana mandapam 

 Front view of the temple  Garudathoon, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar sannadhi 

 Vasantha mandapam 

 Front view of the temple  Garudathoon, balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar sannadhi 

 Nammalwar

 Entrance to Nandavanam 

 Krishna

 Nagaraja Kannan  

 Chakkarathalwar sannadhi 

 Chakkarathalwar  

 Chakkarathalwar urchavar 

 Chakkarathalwar sannadhi - Urchavars 

 Ramanujar & Manavala Munikal sannadhi vimanam 

 Andal Sannadhi vimanam 

 Anjaneyar under the neem tree 

 An unrealistic elephant relief on the steps of  new Urchavar Kalyana mandapam 

A Vijayanagara Period Pillar in the dump yard 

 South side Rajagopuram behind Anjaneyar sannadhi 

Anjaneyar  

 Anjaneyar - a closer look 

 Ramar sannadhi in Pattabhisheka kolam – Seetha on the laps of Ramar and Bharathan, Lakshmanar and Sathrukkan 

 New Urchavar Kalyana mandapam ceiling painting 

 Urchava Vahanas 

 Urchava Vahanans

 Dakshinamurthy in moolavar vimanam 

 Anjaneyar sannadhi  

  Sorgavasal 

 Deepa mandapam – the details of deepam 

 Sevas at work   

 Sevas at work – boosting the energy 

Sevas at work

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA:--- 

Sri Nageswarar Temple, Kundrathur, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar Temple & Sri Kanthaleeswarar Temple - Uzhavaram with Chennai Sevas, Kundrathur, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

 20, Sep 2015.

The 158^th UZHAVARAM of SEVAS was  held at Sri Nageswara Swamy Temple, Kundrathur on 20^th September 2015. I also participated in the Uzhavaram - Cleaning of temple, removing cobwebs  and cleaning of Temple tank – Surya Pushkarani. Since I reached Kundrathur early around 07.30 Hrs than the scheduled time of 08.30 Hrs,  had the darshan of Sri Valli Devasena Sametha Subrmania Swamy on the hill and Sri Kanthazheeswarar and Sri Nagecharar. The details of the temples are given below.

SRI VALLI DEVASENA SUBRAMANIAR TEMPLE - KUNDRATHUR 

 16 pillar mandapam at the start of steps. 

Moolavar : Sri Subramaniya Swamy 

Consorts : Sri Valli and Sri Devasena

It was believed that on the way to Thiruthani Murugan stayed here for a while by seeing the beauty of this place. The sanctum  door is kept, such that only Valli with Murugan or Devanai with Murugan can be seen.  There was no rush around 07.30 Hrs and I was fortunate to circumambulate around the sanctum.

  

 The temple from a distance 

 The Steps with Rajagopuram

On the way to Sri Nageswarar temple tried to worship Sri Uraga Perumal.  The temple was not opened as per the scheduled time of 07.00 Hrs. Don’t want wait to open since I have to report for Uzhavaram at Sri Nageswarar temple.  On seeing the board  of the Shiva temple opposite to Sekkizhar temple arch, thought of Worshiping Sr Kanthazheeswarar. On the board it was written as Sekkizhar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

SRI NAKAIMUGAVALLI SAMEDHA SRI KANTHAZHEESWARAR TEMPLE, KUNDRATHUR

 Temple complex view with Gajabrushta Vimanam with Karpaga Vinayagar sannidhi and Balambigai samedha Valeeswarar sannadhi  

Moolavar    : Sri Kanthazheewarar

Consort      : Sri Nakaimugavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with an entrance arch on the south side. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam are at the east. The vimanam is of Gajabirustam type. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. Ambal is facing south inside the artha mandapam.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Nalvar, Karpaga Vinayagar, Sri Balambigai Samedha Sri Valeeswarar, 63var, Navagrahas,  Nagars under bodhi and neem tree and Suryan.

Tamil inscriptions are found under the base of the sanctum but could not judge the age of the inscriptions.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open between 08.oo hrs to 11.00 hrs and 17.00 Hrs to 20.00 hrs.

 

 

 Temple complex view with Gajabrusta Vimanam 

 Temple complex view with Gajabirushta Vimanam with Chandikeswarar sannidhi

  

 The relief of kannappar 

 These two reliefs found on the compound wall out side. Do not know who are they….?

Sri Ooraka Perumal temple 

SRI NAGESWARAR TEMPLE AT KUNDRATHUR.

Since Sri Sekkizhar established this temple similar to Thirunageswaram, at Kumbakonam and called this temple as vada Nagecharam. The Lord has all the powers similar to Kumbakonam temple. This is very near to Bus stand and about 200 meters off main road.

 The 5 tier Rajagopuram

Moolavar    : Sri Nageswarar

Consort      : Sri Kamakshi Amman.

Some of the important features of this temple are…

Moolavar was installed and worshiped by Sekkizhar. The temple is facing east with a mandapam at front. On the top of the mandapam sudhai sirpam of Shiva and Parvathi marriage. The Rajagopuram is of 5 tiers.  Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Nandhi mandapam are at front of sanctum sanctorum. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu ( in place of Lingothbavar ), Brahma and Durgai.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Suryan, Sekkizhar,  Navagrahas, Saneeswarar.

In the inner prakaram, sannadhi for Sekkizhar, Suryan, Sri Sundarar ( In sitting posture – a rare moortham ) with Paravai Nachiyar, Nalvar, Nagars, Somaskandar, Kasi Viswanathar, Arunachaleswarar ( there is a hear say that moolavar head was broken a little. Hence people decided and replaced with the present Arunachaleswarar moortham and thrown the old moortham in the Suryapuskarani, the temple tank. The tank water becomes red. In one of the sivanadiyar’s dream Iraivan appeared and told the old moortham to be installed back. So the old moortham was installed again and the new moortham was kept in the prakaram behind Moolavar ), Sri Lakshmi, saraswathy, Veerabahu, Valli Devasena Subramaniar ( Urchavar and moorthams), Palliyarai, Chandikeswarar and Saba mandapam.

Ambal is facing south in a separate sannadhi in maha mandapam before the main sanctum. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There are about 45 Inscriptions around the sanctum wall. The sanctum is with artha and maha mandapam. As per the inscriptions the temple was built during Kulothunga Chozhan Period ie 1070 CE. The inscriptions also speaks about donations made for Burning lamp, Iraivans Amuthu, Three kala Pooja. The Kings and persons mentioned in the inscriptions are Kulothunga Chozhan I, Veeraminth, Veera Rajendran, Rajarajan III, Veerakanda Gopalan, Koperumsingam, Sundara Pandiyan, Kulasekara Deva Pandiyan, Ekambaranatha Sampuvarayan kambannan and  Hariharan,

The temple is maintained by the trustees of Senguntha Mudaliyar appointed by Sekkizhar Peruman.

 The inscription – almost all are very difficult to read due to painting - Kulothunga Chozhan period

LEGENDS

This is Rahu dosha parihara sthalam and one of the Navagraha sthalam around Chennai.

 Rahu - Nagar

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple is kept open between 06.00 Hrs to 13.00 Hrs and 15.30 Hrs to 20.30 Hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :

Office phone number is 044 24780436

HOW TO REACH :

Town buses are available from Vadapalani, Tambraram, Broad Way.

Town bus nos are 88 series, M 89, M60, 60A and 66.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Sekizhar Manimandapam arch

Thirumurai parayana koodam

  Rishaba mandapam

 Sri Sekizhar sannadhi

 Moolavar vimanam

 Moolavar vimanam

 Amman Sannadhi Vimanam

 Stucco dwarapalakar at the entrance of the mandapam

 Dwarapalakar at the entrance of sanctum

 Sri Sundarar with Paravai Nachiyar – sitting posture – a rare moortham to see 

 Somaskandar

Sri Arunachaleswarar - There is a hear say that moolavar head was broked a little. Hence people decided and replaced with the present Arunachaleswarar moortham and thown the old moortham in the Suryapuskarani, the temple tank. The tank water becomes red. In one of the sivanadiyar’s dream I raivan appeared and told the old moortham to be installed back. So the old moortham was installed again and the new moortham was kept in the prakaram behind Moolavar.

 

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar 

 Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar 

 Sekkizhar

 Suryapuskarani – The Temple Tank with Neerazhi mandapam 

 Ducks are kept in a pool of water

  SEVAS IN ACTION

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA :---