UpdateBot at 23:26, 29 November 2021

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox Mandir
|name = Yeri Katha Ramar Temple
|image = Madhuranthakan2.jpg
|caption =
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|coordinates = {{coord|12|29|11|N|79|53|28|E|type:landmark_region:IN-TN|display=inline,title}}
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|country = India
|state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
|district = [[Chengalpattu district]]
|locale = [[Maduranthakam]]
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|festivals =
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'''Eri-Katha Raamar Temple''' is a [[Hindu]] temple dedicated to [[Lord Rama]] located in the town of [[Maduranthakam]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]].<ref name="Dubey">Dubey 1992, p. 52</ref> This is the ''sthalam'' (place) where Udayavar (the presiding deity) was named [[Ramanuja]]. The temple is also known by other names such as - Mathuranthaka Chaturvedi Mangalam, Vaikunda Varthanam, Thirumathurai, Thirumanthira Tirupathi, Karunagara Vilagam. [[Thirumalisai Alvar]] attained [[siddhi]] (enlightenment) in this ''sthalam'' (place). Also, Sri [[Ramanuja]]r was instructed the ''Pancha Samskara Mantram'' at this place.

==History==
The temple was built during the [[Pallava]] era, and is estimated to be 1600 years old. The Moolavar (presiding deity) of the temple is [[Lord Rama]], thus making this one of the oldest temples of lord Rama in South India. The temple has inscriptions indicating generous gifts from [[Chola]] king [[Parantaka I]].<ref name="epic">{{cite book|title=Indian Epic Values: Rāmāyaṇa and Its Impact : Proceedings of the 8th International Rāmāyaạ Conference|page=85|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EVnK3q48dL0C&dq=veeraraghava+perumal+temple&pg=PA86|publisher=Peeters Publishers|last1=K.V.|first1=Raman|last2=T.|first2=Padmaja|isbn=9789068317015|date=8 July 1991|ref=K.V.}}</ref> The place was once famous during the rule of [[Chola dynasty|Cholas]] who ruled this place as Maduranthaga Chaturvedi Mangalam after the Chola ruler Madurantaga Uttama Chola (973 -85 CE). It is believed that [[Gandaraditya]] donated the village to the Vedics (Chaturvedi - one who knows all four [[vedas]]) of the place and hence it came to be known as Chaturvedi Mangalam.

==The Temple==
The presiding deity of the temple is Rama with his consort [[Sita]] and his brother [[Lakshmana]]. The images are made of stucco as is the case in some of the temples like [[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram]]. The Moolavar is in a standing position facing east and is around {{convert|8|ft|m|0}} tall.

There are different shrines around the sanctum and one of them is that of Sita who is worshipped as Janakavalli.<ref name=Madhavan>[[#Madhavan|Madhavan 2007]], pp. 85-89</ref>

==The Legend of Erikatha Ramar and Janakavalli Thayar of the temple==
This temple is situated near the Madhuranthakam lake shore. The temple also houses an image of Karunakaramurthi.<ref name=Meena>{{cite book|title=Temples in South India|last=V.|first=Meena|publisher=Harikumar Arts|location=Kanniyakumari|year=1974|edition=1st|page=48}}</ref>

During the period between 1795 and 1799 the Collector of [[Chingleput District]] was a British officer called Colonel Lionel Blaze. During his collectorship, Blaze had witnessed two breaches to the huge tank. The enormity of the problem can be appreciated only when we know of the massive size of the tank. Having an area of {{convert|13|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2}} and a depth of {{convert|21|ft|m|0}}, the breaching of the tank following torrential downpour was any official's nightmare. Wanting to take preemptive action in the year 1798 the Collector camped in Madurantakam. During his sojourn the Collector was exploring ways and means to undertake urgent repairs of the breaches if and when they happened. During the course of his inspections, he happened to see a large collection of granite and other stones in the precincts of the Rama temple. The Collector mentioned to his subordinates that these could be put to use in restoration of the bunds. Hearing this the temple priests submitted that the stones were meant for constructing a separate shrine for Janakavalli Thayar and since there was paucity of funds the construction could not commence.<ref name=Madhavan/>

Hearing this the Collector is said to have remarked that where was the need for a separate shrine when more urgent work like repairing the [[:wikt:bund|bund]]s was crying for resources. He also asked the priests jestingly as to why the Lord was not able to save the tank each year? The priests replied saying that the Lord was always known to answer a sincere prayer from the heart.<ref name="Pollet">Pollet 1995, p. 85</ref> The rains came and it poured. Within a few days the tank was full to the brim and a breach seemed imminent. That night a worried Collector camped near the tank hoping against hope that the bunds would hold. As he was inspecting, Colonel Blaze saw a miraculous sight. He saw two warriors bearing bow and quiver guarding the bunds. The British officer went on his knees and prayed, for he knew it was none other than Lord Rama and his divine brother [[Lakshmana]]. It was indeed strange that nobody else who was a part of the Collector's retinue saw the Lord. After a while the vision evanesced and the rain stopped. The grateful Collector undertook the building of the shrine for Janakavalli thayar and Lord Rama in the temple came to be known as the Erikatha Ramar (Rama who saved the tank (Eri)). The edict with the Collector's name citing him as a benefactor can be seen even today in the Madurantakam temple.<ref name="epic"/>

== Ramanujar ==
[[File:Madhuranthakan3.jpg|Place where Ramanujar was given the ''Pancha Samskaram'' (Divine syllable)|right|200px|thumb]]

This is the place under the Magizha tree, where Sri [[Ramanuja]]r was given "Pancha Samskaram" (initiation) by his teacher Peria Nambigal, <ref name="Dubey"/> following which [[Maduranthakam]] was given the name "Dvayam Vilindha Tirupathi". As per the legend, upon receiving Kanchi Varadarajar's divine order through Tirukachi Nambi, the Vaishnava saint Ramanuja set forth for [[Srirangam]] to become the disciple of Peria Nambigal. Peria Nambigal was on his way to [[Kanchipuram]] to install Ramanuja as the successor of Sri [[Yamunacharya|Aalanvandar]]. Ramanuja wanted to meet Periya Nambi and he started from Kanchipuram, while Periya Nambi started from Srirangam. They are believed to have met in Maduranthakam temple, in the lake precincts. In the month of ''Avani'', on the ''Sukla Panchami'', Peria Nambigal gave the ''Samasrayanam'' or ''Pancha Samskaram'' called ''Dvaya Mantropadesam'' (divine syllable). The festival is celebrated every year. Ramanuja is believed to have obtained Pancha Samskaram from Periya Nambi in the four pillared hall around the sanctum. This is the only place where Ramanujar can be seen as a ''Grihastha'' (family man).

The major festival of the temple is the [[Rama Navami]] festival, which commemorates the birth of Rama. Ani Brahmostavam celebrated during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil month]] of ''Aani'' (July - August) and Panchasamskaram festival to commemorate the sanctification of Ramanuja are other major festivals celebrated in the temple.<ref name=Madhavan/>

== Transport ==
[[Maduranthakam]] is on the Trichy-Chennai highway (NH45) at a distance of 89 km from [[Chennai]] and 25 km from [[Chengalpattu]]. There are several buses travelling to Maduranthakam from Chennai. Maduranthakam also has its own railway station, with suburban trains going towards [[Melmaruvathur]] stopping here.

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book|title=Rays and ways of Indian culture|last=Dubey|first=S.P.|publisher=M D Publications Pvt. Ltd|isbn=81-85880-98-0|year=1996|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pSMLz85WO1QC&dq=eri+katha+ramar&pg=PA52}}
* {{cite book|title=Indian epic values: Rāmāyaṇa and its impact : proceedings of the 8th|last=Pollet|first=Gilbert |publisher=Peeters Press & Department of Oriental Studies|isbn=90-6831-701-6|year=1995|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EVnK3q48dL0C&dq=eri+katha+ramar&pg=PA85}}
* {{cite book|title=Vishnu temples of South India, Volume two|last=Madhavan|first=Chitra|year=2008|publisher=Chitra Madhavan|isbn=978-81-908445-1-2|ref=Madhavan}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Eri-Katha Ramar Temple}}
* http://www.madhuranthakam.ramanujartemples.net/

[[Category:Hindu temples in Kanchipuram district]]
[[Category:Abhimana temples of Vishnu]]

Eri-Katha Ramar Temple - Revision history

UpdateBot at 23:26, 29 November 2021