Ramanadeeswarar Temple, Raamanadeechuram
(Thirukkannapuram) – The Temple
Presiding
Deity is called as Ramanadeeswarar / Ramalingeswar / Ramanathar. Lord of the
temple is a Swayambumurthy. Presiding Deity is a tall Lingam housed on a big
Avudayar. It is noteworthy that a Jyothi will be visible on the Linga when
abishek is performed. Moolavar Vimanam is of Vesara type Mother is called as Soodikaambal,
Karuvaarkuzhali Ammai, Sariwarkuzhali. Theertham associated with this temple
are Surya Pushkarini and Rama Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Magizham and
Shenbagam.
There is
no Kodimaram and Rajagopuram. The Urchavar Somaskandar is kept at Thirupugalur
for safety reasons. Lord Somaskanda has a special significance in the
temple. The idol shows Ambica pulling the Nandhi to a side to enable Lord
Sri Rama worship Lord Shiva. Shrines for Vinayagar, Subramaniyar,
Gajalakshmi, Kala Bairavar, Suryan and Chandran are located in the prakaram.
Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai are the Koshta Idols on the
Sanctum Walls.
As
special pujas are performed in Lord Sri Rama temples on Punarvasu Star days
(Punarvasu is Sri Rama’s birth star), this puja is performed to Lord Shiva too
on this day as Rama worshipped Shiva here. It is the belief even now that
Sri Rama performs the evening puja to Shiva daily here. Devotees consider
this darshan very important. Lord Subramanya blesses from a separate shrine
with a flower on his left hand and blessing devotees by the right. In
Tiruchendur Lord Muruga holds the flower in his right hand. Lord Muruga
graces devotees with his consorts Valli and Deivanai.
Sage
Agasthya appears worshipping Lord Kasi Bhairava in the prakara. It is said
that this Bhairava was installed by Sage Agasthya. It is noteworthy that
Thirukkannapuram temple of Lord Sowriraja Perumal, one of the 108 Divya Desams
is a little away from this temple. Thus the devotees have the double
choice of worshipping both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu conveniently at the same
time. Kulothunga Chola has gifted lands of Sivapathasekaramangalam for the
maintenance of this Temple and renovated it.
