17th November 2019.
This Nedungum Sri Yoga Ramar Temple’s visit was a part of Thirumukkudal Temples Visit scheduled on 16th and 17th of November 2019. After Singavaram Sri Ranganathar dharshan our plan was to visit Nedungunam and Devikapuram. It was around 11.30 hrs when we reached Nedungunam and had the dharshan of Sri Yoga Ramar. The place was called as Nedungundram and the same was corrupted to the present name of Nedungunam. Nedungunam signifies the high or noble qualities of Rama.
Moolavar : Sri Yoga Ramar / Sri Ramachandra Perumal
Urchavar : Sri Vijaya Raghava Perumal
Consort : Sri Sengamala Valli
Some of the salient features of this temple are….
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipedam and Dwajasthambam are after the 1st level Rajagopuram and before 5 tier second level Rajagopuram called Kili Gopuram, named in honoured of Sukabrahma Maharishi. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandpam and muka mandapam. Garudan is in the mukha mandapam. Moolavar Sri Ramar is in sitting posture. His right hand is near the chest with chin mudra. Eyes are closed in yoga state. Rama do not hold any weapons. On the right, Lakshman is with bow and arrow. Sita is on the left side in sitting posture. Hanuman is sitting at the feet of Rama, reading out the “Brahma sutra” from the manuscript holding in his hands. There is a circumambulatory path below the sanctum sanctorum. It was told that the opposite hill is called as Dheergachala and looks like a parrot head.
The Urchavar Sri Vijaya Raghava Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. There are two sets of Urchavars ( The old set was stolen and recovered back ). The koshtas are empty. In prakaram Chakkarathalwar, Kalyana Venkatesa Perumal, Sanjeevihanuman and Thayar Sengamala Valli. Alwars are in Arthamandapam. There is a special sannadhi for Vykanasacharyar who founded the Vykanasa Agama. The Rajagopuram entrance side walls has the bas-reliefs of scenes from epic Ramayana and Dhasavathara of Vishnu. Vali fighting with Sukreevan, Rama shoots Vali through 7 trees etc are intricately carved as bas-reliefs.
There are two Vijayanagara period mandapas with beautiful yazhi pillars, called Kili mandapa named in honour of Sukabrahma Maharishi and another one is the Muthu mandapam named after a Devadasi for her excellent devotion and performance to this temple. It was told that Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple and Devadasi Muthu had given a performance.
ARCHITECTURE
The sanctum sanctorum is on a upana and the adhisthana contains padmam, Silambu Kumudam, Kabotham and patti. The bitti or the sanctum walls are supported with pilasters and kumbha pancharas are shown in between pilasters. Koshtas are like sannadhis. The prastharam is of kabotha style with Yazhivari over the prastharam. The Kabotha has the karnakood. Various reliefs of Vishnu's, Hanuman, Dancers are in kudus. A single tier stucco vimana is over the prastharam.
The mandapa are built during Vijayanagara period with their specialty yazhi pillars. The kodungai looks beautiful.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the temple exists since 7th Century and built during Pallava period. It was told that the Saivaite saint Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple. In appreciating the devotion and excellent performance of a Devadasi Muthu, daughter of Manickam was honoured by naming the mandapam as Muthu mandapam and in addition to this 3 kuzhi land in Kolambadi a part of Chetpet was gifted to her.
Vijayanagara period inscriptions are found on the walls of the sanctum and mandapam. It was told that the temple was reconstructed during Vijayanagara period.
The inscriptions are available from 16th century Vijayanagara period. A 16th Century Veera Achutha Deva Raya a village was given to this temple to conduct festival. A 17th Century inscription speaks about donation of land to a doctor. Another Vijayanagara King Venkatapathi Deva Raya period inscription mentions about taxing of a new residence of this place.
LEGEND:
As per the legend the parrot faced Sukabrahma Maharishi had done penance at this place on lord Rama. Rama was pleased by the penance of Sukabrahma and gave dharshan on the way to Ayothya after killing Ravana at Sri Lanka. Stayed at this place for a day along with Sukabrahma Maharishi.
FESTIVAL
Apart from regular poojas, a 10 days Ramanavami Bramotsavam, Garuda Seva on Vaikasi Visakam and Adi Pavitrotsavam are celebrated in a grand manner.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
Badri Bhattacharyar may be contacted on his mobile +916380947204 and + 919445215776 for further details.
Trustee +9194871 20139.
Email: contact@nedungunamramar.com.
HOW TO REACH:
Nedungunam is about 55 KM from Thiruvannamalai, 24 KM from Arani, 4.8 KM from Chetpet, 25 KM from Vandavasi and 590 KM from Tindivanam.
The nearest Railway Junction is Tindivanam.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
Vishnu's Dhasavathara
Yoga Rama
Dwarapalakas
Vali & Sukreevan fight
epic Ramayana scene
Vishnu's Dhasavathara
Rama & Sita with Lakshmana
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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