Kasturi Ranganatha Perumal Temple, Erode

Entrance of the Kasthuri Rangantha Perumal temple

The Kasturi Ranganatha Perumal temple overlooks the Arudra Kapaleeswara Temple inside the fort area of Erode. It is said to have been built around the 10th century based on the inscriptions found here. It is interesting to note that the Swamy vimana in this temple, is shaped like a gopuram.

Legend:

The legend of the temple says that Durvasa Maharishi, once went to Vaikunta to have darshan of Lord Vishnu. He was delayed and reached beyond time. So the Dwarapalakas Jaya and Vijaya did not allow him to visit the Lord. Angered at being halted, Durvasa cursed them to be born in Earth. The two Dwarapalakas were frightened and sought a recourse to the curse. Durvasa said they could either be born as friends of the Lord for seven births or as enemies for three births before returning to Vaikunta. Jaya and Vijaya chose to be born as enemies for three births. So they took birth as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu, Ravana and Kumbakarna, Kamsa and Sishupala and were killed by the Lord in each birth. Here they are seen at his feet, inside of at the gate, after being rid of their curse. Lord Ranganatha is seen placing his right hand over the head of Sage Durvasa, asking him to stay calm and be rid of anger. He is holding Lord Brahma in his left hand.

Legend has it that pregnant women offered Kasthuri (a herbal medicine) to the Lord and prayed for safe deliveries and hence he came to be known as Kasturi Ranganatha Perumal. However, this ritual does not seem to continue any longer.

 

Kamalavalli Thayar at the Kasturi Ranganatha Perumal Temple

Deities at the temple:

The Moolavar Kasturi Ranganatha Perumal is found reclining on the Adisesha with Sridevi and Bhoodevi by his side. His right hand is extended to be placed over the head of Sage Durvasa who is found seated by the side and can only be seen while peeping into the sanctum. With his left hand, he is holding up Brahma, who is not seen rising from the navel of the Lord as is normally depicted.  Utsavar Kaliyuga Varadhar. 

The Goddess here is called Kamalavalli Thaayar. She looks so serene and welcoming. Devotees worship her with lotus flowers to have prayers of marriage and childbirth answered. There are  shrines for Andal, Chakkrathazhwar, Srinivasa Perumal and Venugopala Swamy with consorts. Hanuman in this temple is one among the 729 Hanumans that have been installed by Sri Vyasaraja, the previous incarnation of Guru Raghavendra Swamy. The stone on which he has been installed, is in the form of a linga and hence the Hanuman is popularly known as Linga Parai Anjaneya Swamy. Vilvam, which is normally the Sthalavriksham in Shiva temples is the Sthalavriksham here.

Inscriptions: 

Inscriptions at the Kasturi Ranganatha Perumal Temple

There are a number of inscriptions in this temple. They talk about various grants that were provided to the temple at different periods in time. A.R.16 of 1891 from the period of Tribuvanachakravarthigal Veerapandyadevar talks about Vaishnavakani granted to the temple of Pallikonda Nayanar of Moovendrachola Chaturvedimangalam.Another inscription talks about Erode as Poonthurai Nattu Kanchithundaththu Erode and the deity as Pallikondaruliya Perumal.

Inscription mentioning the paving of pathway by EVR Periyar's mother

Another inscription talks about mandapas in the temple having been renovated by Chinna Murari Naicker, son of Kondamalli Vengayya Naicker and Lakkapuram Muthukumara Goundar. The inscription in the picture above mentions the paving of the circumambulatory pathway with Cuddapah stones, by Chinnathayammal, wife of Mandi E. Venkata Naicker, son of Thamma Naicker and her aunt Chennammal. Chinnathayammal, incidentally is the mother of EV Ramasamy Naicker, popularly known as EeVeRa Periyar.  His father has made the crown and feet of the Lord in Silver ( they are really huge).He himself has also served as the administrative trustee of the temple.

A wonderful temple worth visiting if you are in the vicinity!!