Thondaradipodi describes Srirangam Lord's Posture

In this Thirumalai Verse, Thondaradipodi Azhvaar describes in detail the posture of Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam.

 

குடதிசை முடியை வைத்து
குண   திசை பாதம் நீட்டி

வடதிசை பின்பு காட்டி
தென்திசை இலங்கை நோக்கி

கடல் நிற கடவுள் எந்தை
அரவணை துயிலமா கண்டு

உடல் எனக்கு உருகுமாலோ
என் செய்கேன் உலகத்தீரே

He describes the Lord as one whose head is reclining in the West with his feet stretched towards the East.

With his back to the North, the handsome Lord of Srirangam is seen looking South in the direction of Lanka.

Thondarapodi says that the moment  he sets his sight on this beautiful reclining posture of Lord Ranganatha atop Adisesha, the Serpant King, he simply melts in joy and happiness. And the desire for all other wants of life goes away.

NamAzhvaar's Puliyur Tiruvoimozhi praise

Nam Azhvaar refers to Kerala's Puliyur Divya Desam as 'Kutta Naattu Thiru Puliyur'

கரு மாணிக்க மலைமேல் மணித் தடம்
தாமரைக் காடுகள் போல்

திருமார்பு வாய் கண்  கை உந்தி
கால் உடை ஆடைகள் செய்ய பிரான்

திருமால் எம்மான் செழு நீர் வயல்
குட்ட நாட்டு திரு புலியூர்

அரு மாயன் பேர் அன்றிப் பேச்சு இலள்
அன்னைமீர் இதற்க்கு என் செய்கேனோ - Tiruvoimozhi 8th 100


Nam Azhvaar in his Tiruvoimozhi verse differentiates the Puliyur Divya Desam in Kerala from the one in the Chozha region in Tamil Nadu by referring to this Divya Desam as 'Kutta Naattu Thiru Puliyur'. He praises  the deity 'Maya Piraan' as one who stands resplendent like a pearl mountain with striking eyes, chest and beautiful lips. And says that the ladies of the Divya Desam utter absolutely nothing but his Name.

Ananthamangalam Rajagopalan temple

Only Trinethra Dasabhuja Anjaneya temple in Tamil Nadu

Anjaneya stayed here after defeating two Evil Asuras

Every No Moon day, the temple is open from Mid Night to 10pm  with special Thirumanjana and Abhishekam for Trinethra Anjaneya

Located just under 30kms South East of Sirkazhi on the Thirukadaiyur-Tharangambadi NH 45A is the Rajagopalaswamy temple in Ananthamangalam whose legend dates back to the Ramayana.

                 

Ramayana Connection

After defeating Lankan king Ravana, Rama visited Baradwaja Rishi’s Ashram on his way back to Ayodhya on his Pushpaka Vimana. On hearing the troubles given by the two Asuras Bindhu and Rakshasha, he assigned Anjaneya to take care of them as he had to hurry back to Ayodhya as promised to his brother Bharata.

To give him protection from the evil blood sucking asuras, Anjaneya was handed a conch and chakra by Lord Vishnu. Indra handed him his Vajrayudha, Brahmma gave him his Kapaalam while Garuda gave him his two wings. Rama sent him for the battle handing him his Bow and Arrow. Wondering what he could give Anjaneya ahead of his battle, Lord Shiva presented him with his third eye.

Name of the place

After defeating the two asuras, a delighted Anjaneya on his way back to announce his victory to Lord Rama, stayed here for a while. As Anjaneya was seen in a happy mood after his win, this place came to be called ‘Aanantha’ mangalam. And he is seen here in a Trinethra Dasabhuja Posture, not seen in any other Vishnu temple in India. 

The 10hands of Anjaneya comprises of chakra and conch, bow and arrow, Trisoolam, Kapaalam, Angusam (Sakthi’s) and Butter and whip of Rajagopalan.

Here the utsava deity of Anjaneya assumes a little more significance than the moolavar deity unlike in other Vishnu temples.  Visiting the temple on No Moon Day is said to liberate devotees from Navagriha Dosham.

Vada maalai, Vathalai Maalai, Tulasi Maalai, Poo Maalai and Lemon Maalai poojas are performed for Trinethra Dasabhuja Anjaneya.

Vijayanagara Period Construction 

The temple in its current form is believed to have been built during the rule of Vijayanagara Period with the deities similar to the ones South West of this temple at Mannargudi.

Festivals

Chitrai Day 1 Utsavam

Akshaya Tritiya

Krishna Jayanthi

Hanuman Jayanthi

Every No Moon day, the temple is open from Mid Night to 10pm with special Thirumanjana and Abhishekam for Trinethra Anjaneya.

Every month on the Rohini star, there are special poojas for Moolavar Vasudeva Perumal

While on the Moolam star, there are special poojas for Anjaneya.

Quick Facts

Moolavar : Vasudeva Perumal East Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar   : Shengamala Valli Thaayar

Utsavar    : Rajagopalan with Rukmini and Satyabhama

Time         : 8am-1pm and 4pm-8pm

Contact    : Madhavan Bhattar @  94438 85033

On Saturdays the temple is open between 530am and 1pm and between 330pm and 930pm.

How to reach

From Sirkazhi, take Karuvi- Thiru Kadaiyur- Tharagambadi route ( Sirkazhi-Karaikal-Nagai route)

From Mayiladuthurai, take Aakkur Junction-Thiru Kadaiyur- Tharagambadi route

Bus No. 27

From Mayiladuthurai, taxi to Ananthamangalam and back will cost Rs. 500.

Thondanur Parthasarathy Perumal Temple

Dwapara Yuga Idol installed by Yudhistra

Popularly referred to as ‘Veetrirundha Perumal’, Lord Parthasarathy is seen in a handsome Sitting Posture here at this temple

The Hoysala Style Chariot makes its way around the streets of Thondanur during the Brahmotsavam in Maasi

In the 11^th Century AD, an endowment of money was made by Udaya Pillai to God Veetrirundha Perumal, one of the three ancient Vishnu temples of Thondanur. From the interest received from this endowment, copper and silver vessels and other worship objects like Thaligai utensils, Tiruvadi, Kendi, Mani (bell) and Cup (Vettil) were made to the handsome Lord Parthasarathy seen in a grand sitting posture along with Sri and Bhoo Devi.

Gopalakrishnan Temple is located East of the Nambi Narayana Perumal temple in Thondanur. The moolavar idol of Lord Parthasarathy is believed to date back to the Dwapara Yuga and was installed by the Pandava King Yudhistra.

Consecrated by Ramanuja

Parthasarathy temple is one of the three ancient Vishnu temples of Thondanur that were consecrated during Ramanuja’s stay here at Thondanur before he made his way North to Melkote.

Out of the three Perumal temples of Thondanur, Lord Parthasarathy is rich in inscriptions dating back to early 11^th Century AD that gives us an indication of the name of this place, the kings ruling this place at that time, the way this Lord was referred to and the posture of this Lord. All the three Vishnu temples of Thondanur have been designated as a heritage monument and comes under the control of ASI.

Hoysala Rulers

In 1177AD, during the rule of Vira Ballaala Deva, a grant of Bhoganahalli Village along with its hamlet was made. In addition, the income from taxes on loom and houses was directed to the service of Veetrirundha Perumal. Another Hoysala ruler, Narasimha, granted villages of Bottahalli, Sirimakkanahalli and Maarurumhalli along with income from taxes – Olavaaru, Horavaaru and Hole-Sunka to Veetrirundha Perumal of Yadava Narayana Chaturvedi Mangalam.

Panguni Festival

In the 13^th Century AD, the people of Yadava Narayana Chaturvedi Mangalam gifted 20 Pons to organise festivals in Panguni here at the temple of Veetrirundha Perumal.

 

During the rule of Hoysala King, Jagadakomalla Narasimha Deva who ruled from Dorasamudra, there was construction and consecration of the temple of Veetrirundha Perumal and Goddess Lakshmi in 1157AD through a grant of Villages.

Names of the Lord

In the 11^th and 12^th Century AD, Lord Parthasarathy here at Thondanur was referred to as ‘Veetrirundha Perumal’ indicating his grand sitting posture.

In 1191AD, Hoysala Vira Ballala II made a gift to Lord Gopinathan, another name for Veetrirundha Perumal in those days. This Lord who was also referred to as ‘God Vennai Kutta’ was gifted 10Pon for supply of 2Naali of rice for food offerings. In the 13^th Century AD, this temple was referred to as the Krishna temple of Yadava Narayana Chaturvedi Mangalam. During this period, this temple was also referred to as Ainnurruva Vinnagaram.

Regular Thaligai for Lord Parthasarathy

One comes to know that there was regular early morning service of food offerings to Lord Parthasarathy through a gift made to the temple of 20Gadyaanas.  Ramanuja’s disciple gifted a village to Veetrirundha Perumal to ensure the daily food offerings to the Lord at this temple. In the 12^th Century AD, Kodai Andal Ammai gifted a share for maintaining lamp at this temple.

When at Thondanur, visit the Thonnur Kere ( the huge dam) built by Thondanur Nambi, the disciple of Ramanuja.

 

Festivals

5day Maasi Brahmotsavam including Chariot Festival

Gokulashtami

Thirumanjanam every Rohini

Quick Facts

Moolavar        : Lord Parthasarathy with Sri and Bhoo Devi

Utsavar           : Gopalakrishnan with Rukmini and Satyabhama

Time                :  830am-1 pm and 3pm-530pm

Contact           : Raghurama Bhattar @ 08236 251795 / 94493 72453

How to reach

Pandavapura is about 100kms from Bangalore on the Mandya- Srirangapatna- Mysore Highway. From Pandavapura, buses every one hour to Thondanur (Thonnur Kere) – take the Narayanapura bound bus.

Auto from Pandavapura bus stand will cost Rs. 100/-

Number of Share autos ply between Pandavapura and Thonnur – they will charge Rs. 7.  

Thiru Narayanapuram, Melkote is just around 20kms from here 

Yoga Narasimha Thondanur

Ramanuja seen in a one of its kind Sesha Roopam at this temple

The Magical Dhanda used to liberate Hoysala King Bitta Deva’s daughter can be seen to this day inside the Yoga Narasimha Sannidhi

Located 20kms North of Srirangapatna and just North of the Nambi Narayana Temple is the Yoga Narasimha Perumal temple in Thondanur, one whose idol is believed to have been installed by Prahalada in the Kretha Yuga. Hence, the idol here is said to date back about 5500years. One has to climb about 15steps to reach the temple. This temple is seen as a special Abhimana Sthalam of Ramanuja.

Ramanuja’s debate at this temple

After his exile from Srirangam, Ramanuja came first, here to Thondanur, before proceeding to Melkote.  

Here at Thondanur, Ramanuja’s disciple Thondanur Nambi, who also built the famous Thonnur kere (the huge dam North of this temple) brought the Hoysala King Bitta Deva and his daughter to Ramanuja.

The King’s daughter had been afflicted with Brahma Rakshasha and was not in a proper state of mind. Ramanuja directed the king to take his daughter to the huge Eri (Sarovar) known as ‘Pancha Apsara Thataka’. He asked the king’s daughter to bathe there and then invoke the blessings of Yoga Narasimha at the temple South of the dam. At the temple, the Archaka placed the Narasimha Dhanda on the daughter and to the king’s surprise she was instantly liberated from the illness. To this day, one sees Yoga Narasimha holding this magical Dhanda in his right hand.

Belief is that Lord Yoga Narasimha fulfils all the prayers of the devotees here at this temple. Once fulfilled, the devotees present a 10x6 Veshti to Yoga Narasimha and an Orange Veshti to Ramanuja at this temple as a thanks giving gesture. 

 

Spreading Vishishtaadvaitha in this region

When asked what he wanted, Ramanuja informed the king that he was here to propagate Vishistaadvaitha and that he would like the King to convert to a Vaishnavite.

Bitta Deva, much against the wishes of his people, became a Vaishnavite and changed his name to Vishnu Vardhan reasoning out to his people that in this Kali Yuga, Ramanuja was the avathara of Sesha (similar to how Lakshmana was in the Tretha Yuga).

An unhappy lot, the 1000 Jains of Thondanur wanted to confront Ramanuja in a debate. Outside the Yoga Narasimha Temple, after Ramanuja invoked the blessings of the Lord, he was thrown 1000 questions by the people of the kingdom. And in one go Ramanuja hit back at them with 1000 answers much to the delight of the people. Pleased with his answers, the Jains converted to Vaishnavism.

Moving from Thondanur, he later built/renovated the temples at Melkote, Gadag, Belur and Thalakkad. He also renovated the Amara Narayana temple at Eka Chakra Puram in Kaivara, a temple that relates to the legend of Hidumba Samhara.

Ramanuja in Sarpa Roopam

When the time had come for him to leave for Srirangam, the people of Thondanur, who had become fond of him, asked him to stay back here.

He told them that he would have to leave but would leave his powers here and installed his own idol here at Yoga Narasimha temple with Vaikanasa Agama Sastras and is seen even today in the Sarpa Roopa form. While in Melkote, he has an Abhimana status, in Srirangam he is seen in ‘Shareeram’ (body form) and in a Sthoola Roopam (Athma form) at Sriperambadur. Here in Thondanur at the Yoga Narasimha temple on the banks of the Thonnur Eri, Ramanuja is seen in a Sookshma Roopam (Atom) with conch and chakra.

A box used by Ramanuja in the 12th Century AD is still seen inside the temple. 

This temple too like the Lakshmi Narayana temple in Thondanur has a Chola Style Architecture but was built / renovated by Hoysala Kings. Hence there is no Raja Gopuram at the entrance.

Inscriptions

A couple of 12^th Century AD inscriptions at the temple refer to the assignment of 7ma of 30Kuli of taxable land to Lakshmi Narayana by the priests of Yoga Narasimha temple of Yadava Narayana Chaturvedi Mangalam.

A 2^nd inscription refers to the gift of 6Pon from out of interest for conducting festivals/ceremonies in the temple of Singa Perumal built by Chokkandai Pergadi.

Festivals

Narasimha Jayanthi

Ramanuja Utsavam

Swathi Thirumanjanam

Quick Facts

Moolavar :  Yoga Narasimha East facing Sitting Posture

Time         : 930am-530pm

Contact    : R Raghurama Bhattar @ 08236 251795

How to reach

Direct buses from Pandavapura Bus Stand (bus bound for Narayanapura) every one hour- will take 30minutes from Pandavapura. Auto from Pandavapura to Yoga Narasimha temple will cost Rs. 125.