SRIDEVI BHOODEVI SAMEDHA ADIKESAVA PERUMAL TEMPLE
WHO IS SAINT RAMANUJA?
A few days back was Ramanuja’s Birthday. Well, when my mom told me that, my first thought was about The Mathematical Genius Srinivasa Ramanujam, errr… mistaken, she was telling me about Saint Ramanuja, one of the most famous Vaishnavaite Saints. It was near Chennai, at Sriperumpudur to be precise, where Saint Ramanuja was born. So, his birthday must be of great specialty there. So, I headed to this very location.
RAMANUJAR JAYANTHI at SRIPERUMBUDUR RAMANUJAR TEMPLE
As I entered the temple, the bronze figurine of Saint Ramanuja was carried out in a Palanquin, for a circumambulation around the temple. I got a fabulous view and here it is for you to enjoy!!! Lucky enough for me, my cam’s memory just got filled right in time, just after this video!!!!! The crowd was a lot. But not as maddening as Mylapore Arupathumoovar Festival. So when the crowd went out along with the palanquin, I went into the temple to have the feast for my eyes. Before I start out with the architecture or sculpture of the temple, lemme tell you about the temple itself. Its essentially a Lord Vishnu Temple.
STORY OF SRIPERUMBUDUR RAMANUJAR TEMPLE (STHALA PURANAM)
The legend goes this ways. Once when Lord Shiva was dancing in trance, his wrap fell down and without even realizing it, he continued dancing naked. On seeing this, the Bootha Ganas started giggling. On seeing them giggling, Lord Shiva got furious and cursed them to go away from him and live as mortals. Realizing their mistake, the Ganas went to Lord Brahma to find a solution to get out of the curse. He told them to go to Sriperumbudur and pray to Lord Vishnu. They followed suit and Lord Vishnu graced his presence on them at that very spot as Adhikesava Perumal. The Ganas pleaded him for a solution to get out of the curse. Lord Vishnu ordered his serpant, Ananthan to make a pond at the spot. The Ganas took a holy dip in this pond and got out of their curse. Hence this place is also called Bootha Puri.
And also since the pond was created by the serpant, Ananthan, this pond is called Ananthasaras. Since the Ganas got out of their curse here, the Doshas in horoscope due to Snake, Raaghu or Kedhu (Kala sarpa Dosham), get relieved here, on a holy dip. The pond was huge and its very deep, they say about 20’ deep. Unless you are an extremely skilled swimmer never ever try jumping into it.
WHERE WAS SAINT RAMANUJA BORN?
About a 1000 years back, 980 to be precise, Saint Ramanuja was born here (Bingala Year, Chithirai Month, Thirivadhirai Star – That’s the date according to the Tamil Calender). He is also called Bashyakarar, Udaiyavar, Ilayazhwar, Ethirajar, Em Perumanar etc. Hence this temple is also called Udaiyavar Koil.
ARCHITECTURE & SCULPTURE at SRIPERUMBUDUR RAMANUJAR TEMPLE
The sculptural marvel is amazing here. The intricacy of the pillars are stunning. The horse pillars were so detailed and reminded me much of Seshagirirayar Mandapam in Srirangam Temple. Quite unusually the corners of the ceiling here was made with a series of slanted stones. The temple’s interior wall has several frescoes. But all are modern and not centuries old. There are also some ancient Tamil inscriptions.
The miniature relief sculptures are the base of the temple platform about Dasavatharam are so beautiful. Esp., the series of relief sculptures on Narasimha Avatharam were splendid with multiple panels explaining the series of events beginning from Narasimha breaking the pillar and coming out of it, Narasimha fighting with Hiranya Kasipu and then tearing his stomach open in 3 different panels.
This is definitely one of the most important temples to visit in Chennai. Being half-way through Chennai to Kanchipuram it is good stop if you're on pilgrimage tourism to Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.
LUNCH OF KOIL PRASADAM (TEMPLE OFFERINGS)
I was hungry after all this and I was tired and went to the Prasadham (food - holy offering) counter which was unfortunately empty!!! I came out and found a smaller temple beside, the Vedanta Desikan Temple Sriperumbudur beside the Temple Tank. Just as he could read my mind, the priest of the temple was distributing delicious Panchamridham (A traditional South Indian Fruit salad) and Curd Rice as Prasadham. I was more than happy and had that I came back home with fulfilled eyes, mind and stomach too!!!
OTHER CHENNAI TEMPLES NEAR SRIPERUMBUDUR
Thirumazhisai Othandeeswarar Temple, Thirumazhisai Jagannathar Temple, Thirunindravur Temples, Pazhayanur Saatchi Bhoodeshwarar Temple, Nemili Temple, Appur Nithyakalyana Perumal Temple, Thirukachur Kachabeswarar Temple, Thirukachur Marundeeswarar Temple
HOW TO REACH SRIPERUMBUDUR RAMANUJAR TEMPLE
On Google Maps: Ramanujar Temple, Vedanta Desikan Temple. Located very near to the Sriperumbudur Bus Stand
From Tambaram: 24 km via Manimangalam. Regular Bus services available.
From Tiruvallur: 21 km
From Kanchipuram: 35 km
SRIPERUMBUDUR RAMANUJAR TEMPLE CONTACT DETAILS
Sri Adi Keshava Perumal & Sri Bhashyakar Temple,
Sriperumpudur, Kanchipuram Taluk,
Pin: 602105.
Tamil Nadu, India.
Tel : Temple Office : +91 44 - 27162236
Sri.T.Ramadoss ,Present E.O.: 09444898548.
SRIPERUMBUDUR RAMANUJAR ADIKESAVA PERUMAL TEMPLE TIMINGS
6:30AM to 12:00Noon and 4:00PM to 8:30PM
You got to change your careerline from Fashion to Archeology/ history. Nice discovery.
ReplyDeletewww.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com
Nice pics of a great temple..!
ReplyDeleteअपनी यादे à¤ी ताजा कर दी आपने, बढिया लेख,
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteLovely write up about the temple with some good photos. Is this not the place where Rajiv Gandhi was assasinated?
Best wishes,
Joseph
Amazing and nice writeup about the temple with good pic n videos .
ReplyDeleteHi bhushavali
ReplyDeletebeautiful photos and good narration
thanks
Beautiful shots of the temple. The carvings are amazing.
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@Raj Niranjan,
ReplyDeleteHa ha!!! But I believe its all interlinked!!! :)
@Sridharan,
Thanks dear.. :)
@Sandeep,
Wow! I am glad I could bring back your memories!!! :)
@Joseph Cheta,
Thank you. It is indeed the place where he was assasinated, but I am yet to visit the memorial..
@Team G Square,
ReplyDeleteThanks dear.. :)
@Krishna,
Thanks sweety.. :)
@Rajesh,
The carvings were indeed exquisite.. :)