Ramanatheeswarar Temple, Porur – The Temple
The
temple is facing east with 5 tiered Rajagopuram with just one prakaram. Presiding Deity is called as Ramanatheeswarar. The east
facing sanctum enshrines a very big Shiva Linga called as Ramanatheeswarar.
This huge Lingam is a Swayambu Lingam (self-evolved). A big trident (Trishul)
is installed near Linga. The entrance of sanctum has two big idols of
Dwarapalakas and an idol of Ganesha. There is no flag staff. The bali peetha
and Nandi idol are found within the Maha mandap area.
The sanctum is built in Gajabrushta shape or Thoongaanai
Maadam type. The beautiful Koshta images of Ganesha, Dakshina Murti, Vishnu,
Brahma and Durga are found around the sanctum. Chandikeswara idol looks very
beautiful and is located slightly away from its usual location. Here Chandikeswarar
is seen near Nandhi facing south. There are Stucco images of 12 Rasis on
the centre ceiling of the Mahamandapam.
Mother is called as Sivakama Sundari. The Goddess Sivakama Sundari is found in a separate
south facing shrine which is situated outside the maha mandapam area on the
eastern side. She is found in the typical standing posture with four arms. Although
it is considered as a Guru Sthalam, there is no separate shrine for Guru in
this temple. Navagrahas are found along with their respective consorts, which
is unusual.
There is
a separate shrine for Kaala Bairavar inside the temple premises. Since Rama
consecrated this temple there are lots of Vaishnava figures in the outer
praharam and the Vimanam. There are shrines of Sandana Vijaya Ganapati,
Saneeswarar and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena in the prakaram.
Stucco
images of Kedharnath, Mallikarjun, Kashi Visvanathar, Beema sanakara
Poornar, Triambakeswarar, Vedhanath Poorvi, Rameswarar, Kailangiri Nathar,
Somnath, Nageswarar, Gukeswarar, Yamuleswarar, Omkareswarar, Mahakaleshwarar
and Dasavatharam can be found in the Mahamandapam.
The
Sthala Viruksham is Amla Tree (Nelli Tree). Holy Neem tree which is seen on the
southern side of the prakaram. Lord Brahma is seen under the tree facing north.
A small Shiva Lingam is kept facing east with Nandhi, adjacent to Lord Brahma
and Rama padam (footprint of Ram). The Neem tree is dressed up with a nice sari
which looks very lady like.
The
tradition of keeping Sadari on the devotees' heads and giving Theertham (the
holy water) to the devotees are followed in Vishnu temples of South India. But,
this is probably one of the few Shiva temples like the Pallikondeeswarar
temple in Suruttuppalli, where Theertham and Sadari are offered to the
devotees.
