Yoga Ramachandraswamy Temple, Padavedu
This
temple, constructed before 12th Century AD, is located 1 KM west of Arulmigu
Renugambal Temple. This was also buried in sand and was dug out recently. In
this temple Lord Rama is uniquely seated in Artha Padmasana with a “Chin Mudra”
with Goddess Seetha and Lord Lakshman by his side and without his usual
kothandam. Unusually Lord Hanuman is seated in front of Lord Rama reading Palm
leaf manuscripts. Lord Hanuman can be seen only when you go very near at the
sanctum sanctorum. The combination of the clean sanctum sanctorum, the
illumination inside and the deities are really marvelous.
Legends
Yoga Ramachandraswamy:
Vedas
are the basis for the existence and activity of the world. Sri
Anjaneya had a doubt what then was the seed of the Vedas. Who was
the author of the Vedas? What is the quintessence of Vedas? Sri
Anjaneya approached the Lord for enlightenment. Lord kept his right
hand on the chest showing the chinmudra silently saying that he is the
Paramatma and that he dwells in the biological body of every creature of the
world. He told Sri Anjaneya that he was Veda and the meaning and
purpose of Vedas. The temple represents this philosophy in
depth. The Lord also is revered as Yoga Ramachandra Murthy.
Destruction of Mahi Ravana:
After
the destruction of Ravana, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya and was crowned. Once,
Lord Rama learned through a sacred voice from heaven about the atrocities of
hundred headed Mahi Ravana, an Asura. The sacred voice requested Lord Rama to
destroy this Mahi Ravana also.
On
behalf of Lord Rama, his ardent devotee Hanuman with his monkey troops rose
against Mahi Ravana. The intense battle witnessed the fall of his soldiers on
the hands of the Asura. In spite of his best efforts, Hanuman could not
locate Mahi Ravana.
At that
time, Sita Devi informed Hanuman that Mahi Ravana was a staunch devotee of
Goddess Renuka Devi and his life force was hidden in a lotus flower of a Pond
at Kundalipuram and he had been protected by Goddess Renuka Devi. Sita
asked Hanuman to go to Kundalipuram and destroy Mahi Ravana.
On the
arrival of Hanuman, goddess Renuka Devi made the lotus Pond to disappear to
safeguard Mahi Ravana. Hanuman got angry and fought against Goddess
Renuka Devi. Knowing this, Lord Rama intervened and pacified both. Then Lord
Rama and Hanuman prayed Goddess Renuka Devi to help them in destroying Mahi
Ravana.
Pleased
by the prayers Goddess Renuka Devi granted the boon and Mahi Ravana was
destroyed. Later Rama too took abode in Kundalipuram along with his
consort Sita, brother Lakshman and his devotee Hanuman at the place where the
present temple is located.
Greatness
of Temple
Lord Sri
Ramachandra with his consort Mother Sita is seated on the Veerasana throne with
his right hand on the chest showing the chinmudra. The idol of Sri Rama and Mother
Sita is sculpted in a single stone with a Peeta-seating. Sri
Anjaneya is by the side of the Lord with palm leaves. As the Lord was also
a teacher-Acharya to Anjaneya, he holds no weapons. Sri Lakshmana
alone standing nearby has a bow and arrows.
As Lord
Sri Rama graces here as a Guru, the temple is more revered as a place of
worship seeking academic benefits. They pray for good education,
freedom from forgetfulness and wisdom. People also pray for a happy
wedding, child boon and unity in family.
While
Sri Rama is an outstanding example of a life with one wife (Ekapathni Vradha)
and lived with Mother Sita alone, there is a shrine for Mother Shenbagavalli
too. As the Mother taught Sri Anjaneya that she was the Paramatma,
she assumes the status of Perumal. There is also a shrine for Mother
Vishnu Durga.
There is
no shrine for Sri Andal. Sage Valmiki’s first verse in Ramayana
describes meditation qualities (Yoga practices) of Lord Sri
Rama. The temple is constructed translating this
philosophy. As the Lord appears teaching the eternal and ultimate
reality, those seeking total salvation come to this temple for attaining this
imperishable wealth. Hence there is no Sorgavasal here. Only
special pujas are performed on Vaikunda Ekadasi day.
Special Abishekams
are performed to Lord on Poornima and new moon days and on Punarvasu star
day-the birth star of Lord. Lord Rama with Mother Sita and Sri
Lakshmana graces his devotees on Garuda his eagle vehicle (Garuda Seva) on the
second Aavani Friday in August -September.
On Masi
Magam in February-March, Lord visits Mahabalipuram for
Theerthavari. Sri Sitarama Wedding festival is celebrated on Panguni
Uthiram after Sri Ramanavami utsavam.
It would
be relevant to mention here that epic Ramayana itself is a Veda – Saranagathi
Veda meaning total surrender at the feet of Lord.
Temple
Speciality
Lord
Rama is seated in Veerasana throne under the Pushpaka aircraft showing the
Chinmudra (keeping the thumb and the first finger together while other three
fingers are left separately) and keeping the right hand on the chest. This is a
very design of Lord Vishnu’s appearance. There is no Sorgavasal (gates of
Heaven) here as traditionally found in Vishnu temples. Only special pujas are
performed on Vaikunda Ekadasi day falling in December-January.
The
Temple
The
temple was constructed before 12th Century AD. The finely sculpted idols
of this temple bear testimony to the strong influence of Vijayanagara Empire
and Sambuvarayar chieftains. Inscriptions found in this temple indicate that
the temple had been receiving support from Krishna Devaraya and his successors
from Vijayanagara Empire.
Sri
Anjaneya shrine is outside the temple. There are shrines for Vishwaksenar,
Nammalvar, Periyalwar, Alavandar, Sri Ramanuja and Vedanta Desika in the front
mandapam. In the corridor-prakara are shrines of Lord Venugopala,
Parasurama and Sri Anjaneya. There is a temple for Lord Venugopala
in Kottai hills behind this temple. Famous Padavedu Renugambal temple is 3
km from this temple.
Significance of Idols:
In this
temple Lord Rama is uniquely seated in Artha Padmasana with a "Yoga
Mudra" with Goddess Sita and Lord Lakshman by his side. Unusually Lord
Hanuman is seated in front of Lord Rama reading a Palm leaf Manuscript.
Temple
Opening Time
The temple
is open from 7.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Festivals
Garudasevai
on Aavani Friday in August – September, Masi Magam in February-March, Sri Rama
Navami in March-April, and new moon and full moon days are the festivals
observed in the temple.
Prayers
Devotees
seek the blessings of the Lord for excellence in academic pursuit, cure from
amnesia, for wisdom, wedding, child boon and family unity. They light ghee
lamps and offer a pulse called pasipayaru and sweet Pongal-pudding as nivedhana
to Lord.
Contact
Sri Yoga
Ramachandraswamy Temple,
Padavedu
– 605 905,
Thiruvannamalai
district
Phone: +91 4181-248 224
Mobile: 94435 40660
Connectivity
This
Temple is located in Padavedu. Nearest town Santhavasal is located at a
distance of 48 km (Santhavasal is 32 km from Vellore) from Thiruvannamalai. The
devotee has to travel 7 km further to reach Padavedu. The temple is 1 km from
the bus stop. Auto facility is available. Nearest railway Station is located at
Kalambur and Aarani. Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
References
https://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/padavedu/
