Sri Ramanujar temple at Sriperumbuthur in Chennai
In this article, an overview of the Shri Ramanujar temple, Sriperumbudur is provided. It is the Avathara Sthalam od Bhagavath Ramanuja. Also an important sthalam for devotees to reduce the effects of Rahu Ketu Dosham.
Ramanujar temple at Sriperumbuthur in Chennai
Located at approximate distance of 40 Kms from Chennai and 35 Kms from Kanchipuram, the presiding deities of this temple Perumal and Thayar are addressed as Sri Devi, Bhoo Devi, Sametha Adhi Keshava Perumal and Yathirajanatha Valli Thayar. The uniqueness in this temple is Avathara Sthalam of Bhagavath Ramanuja. And also the Thayar in this temple does not move out of the temple complex. Her uthsavams etc are done inside the temple complex.
Sriperumbudur is one among the three important idols of the saint Sri Ramanuja carved out during his lifetime and installed in Srirangam, Sriperumbudur(his birthplace) and Melkote.Udayavar and Uniqueness of Temple
As described by Mudhal Thirthakar of Sriperumbudur, in Satya Yuga (First) it is Adhi Seshan (The Snake bed of Lord MahaVishnu). In Thretha Yuga it was Lakshmana (Brother of Lord Sri Ramachandra), in dwapara Yuga it is Balarama (Brother of Sri Krishna) and in Kali Yuga it is Ramanuja the Adhi Seshan Avathara in the form of human.
The speciality of this temple and Vigraham is Eravadai Theertham and it means that after the priests of the temple do Thirumanjanam to Lord Ramanuja daily the cloth which the Lord is wearing is squeezed and collected in Vatil and given as Prasadam to devotees. The Thirumanjanam Theertham has the ability to cure diseases. And for devotees who are having Rahu Ketu Dosham, they can consult astrology appropriately and bath in Ananthah Sarasu and also light the Ghee lamp. Every month on the Thiruvathirai star day people visit the temple to witness the milk thirumanjanam and get blessings of Udayavar (This significance was mentioned by the local priest in the temple). Tour of the temple
The temple is facing east. Entering the temple one can notice the Dwajasthambam. On the right one can notice Kudraikal Mandapam and adjacent to it is Thanga Mandapam. On the Thanga Mandapam one will find a grand main entrance and if you enter it the Sannadhi of our beloved Acharya Ramanuja's Uganda Thirumeni is located. After having darshan of Ramanujar when one comes out of the Sannadhi one can notice the Sannadhi of Presiding deity Sri Adhi Keshava Peumal along with Sri and Bhoo Devi. And located opposite is the Garuda Alwar Sannidhi. On left hand side of Perumal Sannidhi you will find the Sannidhi of Andal. Once you come out there is a small Praharam and in the corner you will find the Sannidhi shared by Nam Alwar giving darshan along with his Chief Disciple Madhura Kavi Alwar and Natha Munigal. When one starts going around the Praharam in North east corner one will find the place where Sri Manavala Mamunigal did the Sri Bhasya Kalashepam. People prostrate at this place and beautiful painting of Manavala Mamunigal doing Kalashepam is placed. Alongside one can notice small bronze idol on the pillar. Then You will find the Sannidhi of Thirukkacchi Nambigal, Pillailokachariya, then come out and turn to right and get down you will find the Gayathri Mandapam which was built by Swami Nigamantha Maha Desikan here you will find our Goddess Yathirajanatha Valli Thayar another Praharam and there you will find the murals of 108 Divya Desha which is sacred to Sri Vaishanava. Then You will find Ramar Sannidhi, Ouyali Seva Mandapam, Kannadi Mandapam, Yoga saalaa. Then, one will notice Venugopalan Sannidhi. In front of temple there is 16 Kaal, 4 Kaal Mandapam and then pposite is the 100 Kaal Mandapam and also the The Avathara Sthalam of Udayavar. Adjacent to the Udayavar's birth place is a small Shrine for his Chief Disciple KooratthAzhwar. One will also notice separate small shrine for Manavala Mamunigal. On the back side of the temple is Ananthah Sarasu or Pushkarini. It might remain unnoticed depending on the direction you reach the temple. Along 4 walls in the centre there is a Krishna which can be noticed with keen observance near the temple surroundings. One can find Yazhi, the mythological animal, in most of the pillars in the temple.Uthsavams at the temple
Few uthsavams that the temple holds are during the period of Chitrai and Aipasi. During the month of chitrai (April-May) the temple holds Bhashyakar Avathara Uthsavam and Adhi Keshava Perumal Uthsavam for 10 days and during Vaikasi (May – June) the temple holds the Adhi Keshava Perumal Vasantha Uthsavam.Quick Facts for the traveller:
Site Name: Adi Kesava Perumal Temple
Site Type: Hindu Temple
Location: Sriperumbudur, 40 kms from Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India
Highlights: 12th century temple; birth place of the great Hindu reformer and Vaishnaivite saint Ramanuja; one of the most important temples of Vishnu in South India
Nearest Railway Station: Chennai - well connected from the cities/towns all over India
Nearest Airport: Chennai has both national and international airports
How to reach: Easily accessible by road from Chennai
Hotel: Many luxury hotels and budget hotels are available in Sriperumbudur
Restaurants: Only few good restaurants are available in Sriperumbudur.
