Eri Katha Ramar Temple, Thiruninravur, Thiruvallur
Eri
Katha Ramar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at
Thiruninravur near Chennai City in Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. This
Temple is found on the banks of the Thirunindravur Lake (Thiruninravur Eri)
originally known as Varuna Pushkarani. Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, one of the
108 Divyadesas and Hridayaleeswarar Temple, built during the Pallava era are
located near to this Temple. This temple is practically unknown to the tourists
who flock the two other temples.
Legends
Eri Katha Ramar:
Once, the Thiruninravur Lake was about to be breached due to heavy rain. Villages prayed to Lord Rama from this natural calamity. It is said that Lord Rama created a wall of arrows around the lake that stopped the breach of the lake and thus he saved the villagers from the natural calamity. In gratitude, local villagers built the temple on the banks of the lake and named the Lord as Eri Katha Ramar (Lord Rama saved the lake from breach).
Birth of Mudaliyandan:
Swami Mudaliyandan was
a Hindu Vaishnava religious figure
who lived in the 11th century CE. He was a relative, disciple and
associate of Sri Ramanuja, the codifier of the philosophy of Srivaishnavism.
His parents were Vaadhoola Kula Thilaka Sri Anantha Narayana Dikshithar and
Naachiyaramman (Sri Ramanuja 's sister). Once, his parents went on a pilgrimage
to Tirupati from their hometown (Nazarathpettai) to worship Lord Balaji for child
boon. Both of them stayed in Eri Katha Ramar temple at Thiruninravur for a
night.
Lord Rama appeared in their
dreams during the night and blessed them that they would give birth to a Child
who would be an incarnation of Lord Rama. As blessed, they got a baby boy and
named him Dasarathi in gratitude to Lord Rama. He became a disciple and
associate of Sri Ramanuja. As he ruled the temple staff like
Senai Mudhaliyar (Vishwaksena), he was given the name Muthali Aandaan.
History
This
temple is believed to be older than Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple.
The
Temple
The
temple is facing east without Rajagopuram and palipeedam with single prakaram. The
Temple is situated on the banks of the Thirunindravur Lake (Varuna Pushkarani). It is located exactly behind the Temple. Anjaneya Shrine can be found at the entrance of the Temple. Just
outside the Anjaneya shrine, There is a stone pillar with Sankhu Chakra and an image
of Hanuman carved on it, can be found outside the Anjaneya Shrine.
The
sanctum consists of Mukha Mandapam, Maha mandapam and Artha mandapam. Vishnu
Avathars are sculpted beautifully on the Mukha Mandapam Pillars. There is an interesting idol of Lord Hanuman can be found in the Artha
Mandapa, Hanuman was found carrying Lord Rama and
Lakshmana on his shoulders. Lankini, a Rakshasi. can be found under his foot. Lord Hanuman is carrying mace and shield in his Hands.
Lord Kothanda Rama is housed in the sanctum. He is about 8 feet tall. He is having two hands holding bow and arrow. He is flanked by Lakshmana and Sita. All the three idols are stucco images.
The
beautiful processional images or Utsava Murtis of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and
Devi Sita and Hanuman of this temple are kept in a separate shrine very near
the main sanctum inside the Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple. There is a mandapam on the left side before entering the temple with madras
roofing wooden beams in a dilapidated condition.
Temple Opening
Time
The
Temple remains open from 08.30 am to 11.30 am and 05.30 pm to 07.00 pm.
Festivals
Annual
Brahmotsavam and Rama Navami are the most famous festival celebrated here. Theerthavari
is conducted on Panguni Shravanam.
Contact
Eri
Katha Ramar Temple,
Thiruninravur
– 602 024,
Tiruvallur
District
Mobile: +91 78457
85715 / 98408 37689
Connectivity
For
brief details, please refer below link;