Located 30kms North of Madras, and 4kms North East of Minjur in a small village away from the noise is the Ranganatha Swamy temple in Devadhanam, one that dates over a 1000 years to the rule of the Chalukya kings and situated on a large sand mound.
Temple History
Chalukya rulers who visited Srirangam wanted to recreate an idol, within their empire, similar to the sleeping Ranganatha in Srirangam. Hence, this temple is also referred to as Vada Srirangam (North Srirangam).
The name DevaDhanam
The village is believed to have been gifted by the Devas and hence the name Deva dhanam.
Lord in Bhoga Sayanam
Yet another story goes that tired of measuring the paddy during the harvest season, Lord Ranganatha is believed to have relaxed his head on the same grain measure ( One has seen a similar kind of story relating to the Sarangapani temple where Thirumazhisai Azhvaar enquires the sleeping Aravamudhan if he is tired after his long walk and requests the Lord to give him darshan).
Moolavar Idol made out of Saligramam
18feet long- 5ft high Lord Ranganatha is seen sleeping on the serpent bed with 3 folds formed by the 5 headed Adisesha., with the right hand of the Lord placed beneath his head and the left hand stretched forward.
The moolavar deity is made out of Saligrama stones. Even the jewels of the sleeping lord are of Saligrama stone, the only one of its kind in ranganatha temples. Hence, there is no Thirumanjanam for the Moolavar Lord, only oil anointment.
At the feet of Lord Ranganatha are Sri devi and Bhoo devi. Anjaneya is also seen with folded palms along with Maha Rishi Thumburu inside the sanctum.
Snake Hill behind the Sanctum
On the Western side of the temple behind the sanctum is a snake hill inside which is believed to reside a snake. The belief is that this snake protects the temple and the devotees who visit here.
Prarthana Sthalam
A visit to the temple is said to provide immediate job opportunities, help in marriages and progeny.
Festivals
Rama Navami, Panguni Uthiram, Vaikunta Ekadesi are celebrated here but there is no procession of the deities.
Quick Facts
Moolavar : Lord Ranganatha in Bhoga Sayanam facing East
Thaayar : Ranganayaki Thaayar
Time : 630am-12noon and 4pm-8pm
Priest : Sridhar Bhattar @ 97868 66895
How to reach the temple
Take a Sub-Urban train from Chennai Central and get down at Minjur (27kms- 45minutes) – Gummudipoondi section. From Minjur, take a share auto/ mini bus on the Eastern Side just outside the station to reach the temple in about 20-30minutes. Currently the 4 km road is in a very bad shape.
Bus 56D runs between Broadway ( Parrys Corner) and Minjur. It will take about 1 ½ hours to reach Minjur by bus from Chennai.
The temple is about 7kms South East of Ponneri (there are buses every hour or so from Ponneri)
Very Interesting. The Saligramam Ranganatha must have been a rare sight
ReplyDeleteCould you elaborate about this temple as i like to visit this temple.
DeleteThanks for reading and the comment.
ReplyDeletePrabhu
yes long time before we also went by train and auto
ReplyDeleteokay.
ReplyDeletePrabhu
Srirangam Ranganathar is almost 22 ft long and over 7 ft high. Either the Chalukya were bad at measurements or you got the facts wrong!
ReplyDeleteThat was very useful information, i am living near Minjur for over 18 years and i never knew such precious and heritage temple exist very near to my home.
ReplyDeleteI am sure to make a visit to the temple see its beauty.
Very Powerful God. Amazing beauty of the Lord & the Thayar. Seems to be real form of Vishnu & Lakshmi. Lord Hanuman & Chakrathalwar with Andal Gods are also marvellous. Good to visit the location as and when the time is available. Thiruvadi of the Lord cannot be imagined as blessings are directly being offered by the foot
ReplyDeleteI went this temple. It was very good. Renganathar idol is amazing. It is big than sri rangam idol. Temple is small god is very big.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot
ReplyDeleteGood informative
ReplyDeleteNice place we purchased on land this area but bus facility no
ReplyDeleteGood place
ReplyDeleteThis is my third visit to the temple. But trust I still feel like I m going for the First time every time I go for the darashanam.It's an amazing feel to see Lord Narayana the sleeping pose.Let Lord Venkateshwara bestow his blessings on all of us.Om Namoh Bhagawate Vasudevaya Namaha
ReplyDeleteVery good and informative planning to visit very soon
ReplyDeleteVery powerful temple when you see the god you can realize it.
ReplyDeleteI am going today
ReplyDeleteI am going to the temple today
ReplyDeleteGoing to the temple today
ReplyDeleteThis is my six times visit to the temple. But trust I still feel like I m going for the First time every time I go for the darashanam.It's an amazing feel to see Lord Narayana the sleeping pose.Let Lord Venkateshwara bestow his blessings on all of us.Om Namoh Bhagawate Vasudevaya Namaha
ReplyDeleteI am going today
ReplyDeleteI visited today very nice perumal but roads r not ok.but when we saw the perumal all the difficulties r gone
ReplyDeletePeace and happiness
ReplyDeleteI got fear while the first time I seen, because of lord Magha Vishnu sleeping pose, I never seen this kind of structure.
ReplyDeleteI went again to see lord Ranganathar blessing.
Thanks for providing all details and contact no. Vazhha vazhamudan
ReplyDeleteRanga,ranga
ReplyDeleteThere are many temple which is equal to famous temple like Srirangam. Etc., We have to spread through social media to all the people .
ReplyDeleteExcellent temple s day I visited this temple.really great.nice place but long distance.
ReplyDeleteQuite interesting. As in Namakkal, the Hillwhich is of Saligramam stone - a small piece dropped from Sanjeeva Malai when Lord Anjaneya was carrying and hurrying to save Sri Lakshman and where Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar is of Saligramam Stone, Sri Ranganathar in Boja Sayana is of Saligramam including all his Jewels. Thanks for sharing details of the Temple. At the next or earliest visit to Chennai, should visit the Vada Srirabgam Temple, with Lord Sri Ranganathar Blessings. Narayanon, N
ReplyDeleteI am very eager to see this Temple after the Lockdown. Awiting for Sri Rnagnatha Swamy darshan.
ReplyDeletesri narayana
ReplyDeleteSri ram