Enchanting Eri Katha Rama!

Thiruninravur Eri Katha Ramar Temple

The mention of Thiruninravur immediately brings to mind the magnificent Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple and the divine Hridayaleeswarar Temple. (The Articles on Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple and Hridayaleeswarar Temple on Aalayam Kanden can be accessed by clicking the links).

But equally if not more enchanting is the Eri Katha Ramar Temple that is tucked away in a lane opposite to the Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple. The temple is practically unknown to the tourists who flock the two other temples. But for the locals who show this temple some love and the discerning traveller who takes time out to check for other interesting sites enroute, this temple is practically empty.

There is no signage either outside or in the temple. Also there is no gopuram or large vimanam to draw attention. But when one takes the effort to enter, they are sure to be awestruck in many ways than one.

History of the temple:

This temple is said to be older than the Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple. It is found on the banks of the Thirunindravur Lake (Thiruninravur Eri) originally known as Varuna Pushkarni. It is believed that this lake was flooded in a storm and the bunds were in the verge of breaking when the villagers prayed to Lord Rama. Lord Rama is said to have created a fence of arrows around the lake that prevented it from breaking whereby the village was saved. The villagers showed their gratitude by building a temple on the banks of the lake for Lord Rama.

Varuna Pushkarni at Eri Katha Ramar Temple Thiruninravur

The Purshkarni is right behind the temple and one look at its massive expanse gives an idea of what would have been the damage if the bund had been breached. Even a couple of years ago, they say,that the Pushkarni used to be full of water and the annual Theerthavari used to be conducted on Panguni Sravanam.

The massive expanse of the Varuna Pushkarni

Apart from this, the annual Brahmotsavam and Rama Navami festivals are celebrated with a lot of festivity.

One of the noteworthy episodes connected with the temple is associated with the birth of Mudaliyandan a disciple and associate of Saint Ramanuja. Saint Ramanuja's sister Nachiyarammal and her husband Vathoola Kula Thilaka Sri Anantha Narayana Dikshithar who stayed in the nearby Nazarathpettai were on a pilgrimage to Tirumala to worship Lord Venkateswara to seek the boon of childbirth. As night fell, they rested at the Eri Katha Ramar temple at Thiruninravur.

During the night, Lord Rama is said to have appeared in the dream of Sri Anantha Narayana Dikshithar promising that a son who was an amsam of Lord Rama would be born to them. When the son was born, they named him Dasarathi, after Sri Rama. Dasarathi became a disciple, devotee and associate of his maternal uncle, Sri Ramanuja and since his demeanor was such as Vishwaksena, (Senai Mudhalvar), he came to be known as Mudaliyandan.

The temple:

On entering the temple, the first shrine is that of Anjaneya as usual. Just outside the Anjaneya shrine, is a stone pillar with Sanku Chakra and the image of Anjaneya which seems to be from the original temple.

Hanuman Shrine at the Eri Katha Ramar Temple, Thiruninravur

The stone pillars with images depicting various Avatars of Lord Vishnu have been poorly plastered with concrete.

Kalki Avatar?

In the Artha Mandapa, is a very unique depiction of Lord Anjaneya. Carrying Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders, with the demoness Lankini under his foot, carrying a mace and shield in his arms, this very unique idol of Sri Anjaneya is said to be found only in Naimisaranyam apart from here.

Lord Hanuman carrying Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders
with Lankini under his foot

One is able to go around the idol and obtain the darshan of the feet of Lord Rama and Lakshmana too.

Padha Darisanam of Sri Rama and Lakshmana

We are now ready to witness the most awesome of all sights. The more than eight feet tall Kothandarama, with two arms, holding bow and arrow, flanked by the weaponless Lakshmana to his left, whose right hand is held in such a way as if he was holding a horizontal bow, and the gracious Sita Devi holding a Lotus in her hand.

The sanctum Sanctorum - just to give the size of the Lord against humans!

No picture can do justice to the beauty of the Lord within the sanctum sanctorum, let alone a poor mobile phone picture! The beauty of this Rama, has to be seen to be enjoyed! It is also interesting to note that these images are not made of stone, but of stucco, which probably is yet another reason that they look so captivating!

The magnificent Eri Katha Rama at Thiruninravur

At the moment, the temple is in need of patronage, especially rice for aradhanam and oil and ghee for lamps. Monetary support is also most welcome.

How to get here:

Thiruninravur is about 32 kms from Chennai and can be accessed by road, bus or suburban train. The temple is few feet away from the Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple. 

Temple timings:

Morning - 8.30 - 11.30 am

Evening - 5.30-7 pm

Shri Narayana Bhattar who is the Bhattacharyar at the temple is currently unwell. Therefore, Shri Venugopal Bhattar who is taking care of the Anjaneyar Sannadhi at Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple is also taking care of this temple. So in case you find the temple closed, you may reach out to him at the Anjaneyar sannadhi or at his house on Car street.

Contact Details:

Venugopal Bhattar - 78457 85715/ 98408 37689

If you happen to be in Thiruninravur, please take time to visit the Eri Katha Ramar Temple too!

Ennai Petra Thaayar!

Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur

Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple at Thiruninravur, near Chennai is one of the 108 Divya Desams. Here the Goddess has a unique name" Ennai Petra Thaayar" (mother who gave birth to me)! How did she get that name?

Lord Samudrarajan (King of the Ocean) was longing for a child and his deep desire was that Goddess Mahalakshmi should be born as his daughter. He prayed to her for many years after which the Goddess appeared before him and granted his wish.

On one fine day, he found a beautiful girl child in the middle of a lotus flower in the ocean. Ecstatic he exclaimed " Ennai Petra Thaaye" (Mother who gave birth to me!). The child was named Ennai Petra Thaayar by which she is known till date.

The place itself derives its name from Goddess Mahalakshmi - Thiru means Lakshmi and Ninravur is the place where she stays forever.

The little girl grew up into a beautiful young lady and it was time to get her married. But Samudrarajan was not willing to part with his daughter whom he had got after praying for so many years and so when Sriman Narayana came asking for her hand in marriage, he laid a condition that he should become "Veetoda Mappillai" (Ghar Jamaai) and stay in the in-laws house for which the Lord agreed. As it is her house, the Goddess gets all the pooja and Saathupadi first, after which it is the Lord's turn.

The seven feet Bhaktavatsala perumal is a delight to watch. In Kalyana Thirukolam (wedding attire), and with the words " Maam Ekam Charanam Vraja" (Take refuge in me alone) written on his right hand (Incidentally the only other lord who has this inscription on his hand is Lord Uppiliappan in Kumbakonam), and a welcoming smile, you can keep looking at him all day long.

The Divya Desams are those where the Azhwars visited and sung hymns in praise of the Lord. When Tirumangaiazhwar came to Tiruninravur he did not sing any paasuram about Bhakthavatsala perumal. He then went to Tirukkadalmallai (Mamallapuram) to worship Sthalasayana Perumal.

Bhakthavatsala, anxious for his devotee to sing about him, appeared to the Azhwar in Tirukkadalmallai as Bhakthavatsala Perumal and it is there that the pasuram about Tiruninravur was sung! Such was the relationship between the Lord and his beloved devotee !!

Coming to the picture above, this is a unique feature of the Tiruninravur temple. As the name suggests, this is the temple for wealth, prosperity and all the Aishwaryams in the world. There is a matrix drawn in front of the Ennai Petra Thaayar Sannathi as you see in the picture, which has specific numbers. By drawing this matrix in your pooja room and placing one rupee coins on each of the squares, and praying for nine days, your wishes are granted.

Procedure for Pooja:

The Yantra is drawn in the pooja room on a flat surface using Kolam Powder. Stickers are also available in the temple if one wishes to use it. Pooja is done for nine days by placing one rupee coins in each of the boxes, applying sandal paste and Kumkum on them, and flowers as well. The coins of the previous day are then removed and stored safely and new one rupee coins are used the next day. Once the nine days of pooja
is complete, (it is preferable to start the pooja on a friday or new moon day) the 81 coins along with Thambulam for nine sumangalis is taken to the temple. The battar places the coins at the Thaayaar's feet and performs archana. The first Thambulam is then give to the Goddess. After that, he gives the coins back to the devotee who then deposits the coins in the Hundi outside the shrine. The remaining thambulams are given to other women in the temple.

I have tried it myself and it really works:)