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Sunday, July 31, 2016

Yeri Katha Ramar Temple, Maduranthakam, Kanchipuram

Yeri Katha Ramar Temple, Maduranthakam, Kanchipuram
Yeri Katha Ramar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Rama located in the town of MaduranthakamTamilnaduIndia. This is the sthalam (place) where Udayavar (the presiding deity) was named Ramanuja. The temple is also known by other names such as - Madhurantaka Chaturvedi Mangalam, Vaikunda Varthanam, Thirumathurai, Thirumanthira Tirupathi, and Karunakara Vilagam. Thirumalisai Alvar attained siddhi (enlightenment) in this sthalam (place). Also, Sri Ramanujar was instructed the Pancha Samskara Manthram at this place.



This is one of the famous Rama temples in the state. The added reputation is that Sri Vaishnava Acharya Sri Ramanuja was initiated to Sanyasa in this place. Maduranthakam is a beautiful place located about 75 kms south of Chennai. While traveling from Chennai, Maduranthakam lies on the GST Road after crossing Chengalpattu.



The main deity of the Eri Katha Ramar temple is Lord Rama. He is in standing position facing east in this temple. The height of the main idol is around 8 feet. In this temple Lord Rama is seen along with his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana. Lord Hanuman cannot be seen in this temple, which is rare. This temple is on the banks of the huge Madurantakam Lake.



There are separate shrines for Lakshmi Narasimhar, Periya Nambi and Ramanuja, Andal, Sudarshana and Vedanta Desika in this temple. A separate shrine for Shri Anjaneya is located on the opposite banks of the lake. The walls of the temple are also inscribed with the devotional songs composed by Saint Tyagaraja, a great poet saint of south India, in praise of Lord Rama.



On the day of Sri Rama Navami Lord Rama is adorned in five different attires – Lord with a Plait, Ekantha Vastra, Thiru Aabarana Alankaram, Vaira Mudi Sevai and Muthu Kondai. Vaikunda Ekadashi in December-January (Tamil Margazhi) is celebrated very grandly in this temple. The Utsavamurti (procession idol) of Lord Rama and Karunakara Perumal can also be seen in this temple. Karunakara Perumal is none other than Lord Vishnu with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi.



Lord Rama himself is said to have worshipped the Utsavamurti at Madurantakam. Periya Nambi took Ramanuja to the Bakula tree of the temple and inducted him on the five sacraments ("Pancha Samskarams"), viz., "Tapam", "Pundram", "Namam", "Mantram" and "Yagam. Thus the Bakula tree became to the Vaishnavites what the Bodhi tree is to the Buddhists. This place was once referred to as Vakularanya Kshetram (this place is believed to have been full of Magizham flowers – Vakulam = Magizham flowers. Hence it got the name.



Legends
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History
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The Temple
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Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Pooja Timings
·        Viswaroopa Dharsanam - 7:30 A.M
·        Kalasandhi - 8:00 A.M
·        Uchikala pooja - 11:30 A.M
·        Sayaratchi pooja - 6:00 P.M
·        Arthajamam pooja - 7:30 P.M
Festivals
Vaikunda Ekadasi falling in December-January (Tamil Margazhi) is grandly celebrated in the temple. The temple has two main festivals. One is Sri Rama Navami and the other is the Brahmotsavam during the Thamizh month of Aani on the day of Moolam star. Bashyakaarar Jayanthi in Chitrai also celebrated in this Temple.
Rama Navami Celebrations – The Lord in 5 different attires:
On the Rama Navami day, Raama provides darshan in five different attires- ‘Lord with a Plait’, ‘Ekantha Vastram’, ‘Thiru Aabarana Alankaram’, ‘Vaira Mudi Sevai’ and ‘Muthu Kondai’.
Parivettai Utsavam:
Once a year, on the 3rd day of the Tamil Calendar month of Thai (mid-January to mid-February) on the occasion of Parivettai Utsavam, Karunakara Perumal goes on a procession to Nyana Giri Parvatham, the hill where Raama is believed to have descended on his Pushpaka Vimaanam.
Nearby Temples
Thiru-Venkateswarar Temple, near Madurantakam railway station is too one of the renowned temples in the town. It was built by a king whose skin disease was relieved when he bathed in the tank; then he realized his wonder and built this temple during British Raj; Similarly other temples includes Renuka Parameswari (Amman) temple, Siva temple adjacent to G.S.T Road, Murugar temple's, Chelliamman temple and Anjaneya temple near to substation Madurantakam. Northern-thiru-Nallar and Sri Raghavendra temple and a Vishnu cum Anjaneya temple on the Karunguzhi Mountain; then Prasanna Venkateswarar temple in Padalam were in the perimeter of Madurantakam.
Contact
Sri Yeri Katha Ramar Temple,
Maduranthakam - 603 306
Kancheepuram district
Phone: 044 – 2755 2277
Mobile: +91 – 9629274347 / 9791660150
Mobile: +91 – 98429 09880 / 93814 82008
Connectivity
Maduranthakam is 23 km from Chengalpet and 12 km from Melmaruvathur. The temple is near the bus stop. Maduranthakam, is on the Trichy – Chennai highway (NH45) at a distance of 89 km from Chennai. There are several buses travelling to Maduranthakam from ChennaiMaduranthakam, also has its own railway station, with suburban trains going towards Melmaruvathur stopping here.
Buses are available for every 5 – 10 minutes between Madras (Chennai) and Tindivanam/Villupuram/Trichy. Nearest Railway Station is located at Chengalpet and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.

References