Adikesava Perumal temple, Sriperumpudur

Last updated

Adi Kesava temple
Sriperumbudur-Sri-Adikesava-Perumal-Temple-4.JPG
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
District Kanchipuram
Deity Adi Kesava
(Vishnu) Yathirajanatha Valli
(Lakshmi)
Location
Location Sriperumbudur
State Tamil Nadu
Country India
India Tamil Nadu location map.svg
Om symbol.svg
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates 12°58′06″N79°56′55″E / 12.96833°N 79.94861°E / 12.96833; 79.94861
Architecture
Type Dravidian architecture
Website
sriperumpudurramanujartemple.tnhrce.in

Adi Kesava Temple (also called Ramanujar Temple) is dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu located in Sriperumbudur, Kanchipuram district, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, Vishnu, who is worshipped as Adi Kesava, and his consort Lakshmi as Ethiraja Nadhavalli. The temple is believed to be the birthplace of Ramanuja, the exponent of Vishishtadvaita philosophy. The gold plated shrine in front of the hall of Ramanuja was built by the Maharaja of Mysore. It is considered one among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition.

Contents

The temple is open from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m and has six daily rituals at various times of the day. Various festivals are celebrated in the temple, with the Chitirai Brahmotsavam, Masi Pooram festival during February - March and Panguni Uthiram festival during March - April being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

Selvapillai on Ramanuja's lap Ramanuja embracing Lord Varadaraj.jpg
Selvapillai on Ramanuja's lap

Ramanuja (1017–1137 CE) was a Hindu theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete, born in a Tamil family at Sriperumbudur. [1] Vaishnavas see him as one of the most important acharyas (teacher) of their tradition, and as the leading expounder of Vishishtadvaita, one of the classical interpretations of the Vedic philosophy. [2] [3] [4] Ramanuja grew up under the tutelage of Tirumalai Nambi, who was working in Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. Once, a king wanted to punish Ramanuja. Ramanuja's disciple, Koorathalvar, helped Ramanuja escape and gave him a white cloth to wear. Ramanuja escaped, but the king punished Koorathalvar by blinding his eyes. Following the event, a festival is celebrated in the temple where Ramanuja appears in a white cloth for Koorathalvar. Once, a king took the idol of Narayanapuram to please his daughter. Ramanuja went to Delhi to recover the idol and the idol is believed to have fallen on his lap as a child by divine powers as a child. The Chella Pillai Utsavam is held every year commemorating the event. [5] As per another legend, a king tried to kill a tiger that was trying to attack a cow. In spite of his efforts, the cow was killed by the tiger and the king incurred the curse of the cow. To expiate himself from the sin, he did penance at his place. Adi Kesava is believed to have appeared for the king and relieved his curse. [5]

Architecture

Chittirai Kulam - the temple tank Sriperumbudur-Sri-Adikesava-Perumal-Temple-5.JPG
Chittirai Kulam - the temple tank

The temple is built in Dravidian architecture occupies around 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) and has two precincts. It is located in Sriperumbudur, a suburb in Chennai, the capital of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It has features from Chola and Vijayanagara architecture. There are inscriptions from the Vijayanagara Empire dating back to 1572 from the rule of Sriranga I (1572–1586 CE). There is another inscription from the period of Aliya Rama Raya (1542–1565) during 1556 indicating gifts of 36 villages to the temple. The vimana (roof of the sanctum) was gold plated in 1912 and is earliest South Indian temple to have the feature. The plate has the image of Sriramanuja inscribed on it. There is a copper plate recording the history of the gold plate in the temple. [6] The temple has a rectangular plan surrounded by 10 ft (3.0 m) high walls, pierced by a seven-tier gopuram , the gateway tower. The presiding deity is housed in the sanctum and is an image made of granite seen in standing posture. The shrine of Garuda facing Adi Kesava, the vahana of Vishnu, is located axial to the central shrine. The central shrine is approached through a worship hall and a narrow Ardha mandapam. The flagpost is located behind the shrine of Garuda, axial to the central shrine and the gateway tower. There are images of Alvars in the worship hall on both sides and the shrine of Yathiraja Nadhavalli is located on in the second precinct. This is one of the temples where Lakshmi takes the name of a devotee. [6] The gold plated hall in front of the shrine of Ramanuja was endowed by the Maharaja of Mysore. There are no separate Sorgavasal, the sacred entrance way opened during the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival. There is a Bhoodakal hall where the festive images of the presiding deity and is consort are housed during the festival. [5] During 2017, a canal was dug from Sriperumbudur lake to the Madapalli (kitchen) of the temple. The temple tank, Narasimha Kulam was also revived during 2017. [7]

Worship practices and festivals

Sriperumbudur-Sri-Adikesava-Perumal-Temple-1.JPG
Sriperumbudur-Sri-Adikesava-Perumal-Temple-2.JPG
Images of the temple towers

The temple is open from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Ushathkalam at 8 a.m., Kalasanthi at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 7:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both adi kesavan and his consort yathiraja natha valli. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. [5]

Various festivals are celebrated in the temple, with the Chitirai Brahmotsavam, Masi Pooram festival during February - March and Panguni Uthiram festival during March - April being the most prominent. During Chittirai Brahmotsavam, the temple car housing the festival deities of Adikesava and Yathiraja natha valli is drawn around the steerts of Sriperumbudur. The festival car was not operational for the 25 years preceding 2003 and was resumed from 2003. The festival is followed by Thiruavadara Utsavam of Ramanuja, the birthday festival of the saint. [8] The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple, Thirunindravur</span> Vishnu temple in Chennai

Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple is a Hindu temple, located at Thirunindravur, a western suburb of Chennai, India. It is dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Bhaktavatsala Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Ennai Petra Thayar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirukkadigai</span> Vishnu temple in Vellore

Thirukkadigai or Sholingapuram in Sholinghur, a village in Vellore district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Lakshmi Narasimhar, and his consort Lakshmi as Thirumamagal. There are three separate shrines in the form of Narasimha, Bhaktavatsala Perumal and Hanuman (Anjaneya). They are situated on the larger hill, at the base of the larger hill and on the smaller hill respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azhagiya Manavala Perumal Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Azhagiya Manavalan Perumal Temple in Uraiyur, a suburb Tiruchirappalli in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Azhagiya Manavalan and his consort Lakshmi as Kamalavalli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devaadi Raja Perumal temple</span> Vishnu temple in Mayiladuthurai

The Devaadi Raja Perumal temple in Therazhundur, a village in Mayiladuthurai district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Amaruviappan, and his consort Lakshmi as Sengamalavalli Thayar. The original structure of the temple was built by the Karikala Chola during the 1st century CE, with later additions from the Cholas during the 11th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hara Saabha Vimocchana Perumal Temple</span> Hindu temple in Thanjavur

Hara Saabha Vimochana Perumal Temple in Thirukandiyur, a village in the outskirts of Thiruvayaru in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Hara Saabha Vimochana Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Kamalavalli Nachiyar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple</span> Hindu temple in Ramanathapuram

The Adi Jagannatha Temple is a South Indian Hindu temple in Thiruppullani, a village in the outskirts of Ramanathapuram in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is believed that Rama used grass ('pul' in Tamil as a pillow to sleep and hence the village attained the name Thiruppullani. Constructed in the Cholan style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Adi Jagannatha and his consort Lakshmi as Padmasini.

Sri Prasanna Venkata Narasimha Perumal is a Hindu temple in Saidapet, Chennai, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to Venkateswara, an incarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu. It was constructed during the 12th century, but, according to historical records and inscriptions found within the temple, may consist of elements dating back more than 1000 years. The temple was constructed during the era when the South India was under the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devanathaswamy temple, Thiruvanthipuram</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu

Devanatha Hemabhujavalli Temple is a Hindu temple in Thiruvanthipuram, a village in the outskirts of Cuddalore in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, dedicated to the god Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Devanatha and Lakshmi as Hemabhujavalli. Though the presiding deity is Devanatha and Hemabhujavalli, the temple is known for Hayagriva, the ninth avatara of Vishnu in the Dashavatara of Vishnu and a god of knowledge. The temple is the only historical temple in South India to have a shrine of Hayagriva on hilltop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saranathan temple</span> Hindu temple of god Vishnu in Thirucherai, India

The Saranathan Temple in Thirucherai, a village on the outskirts of Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Saranathan and his consort Lakshmi as Saranayaki. It is believed that Saranathan appeared for Kaveri, the river goddess, who performed penance at this place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagannathaswamy Temple, Keelaperumpallam</span> Navagraha temple in Tamil Nadu

The Naganatha Swamy Temple or Kethu Sthalam is a Hindu temple in the village of Keelaperumpallam, 2 kilometres from Poompuhar. The presiding deity is Ketu, a shadow planet. However, the main idol in the temple is that of Naganatha Swamy or Shiva. The temple has a flat rajagopuram surrounded by two prakaram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thiruvanpurushothamam</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu

The Purushotama Perumal Temple is located in Thirunangur, a village in the outskirts of Sirkazhi in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, and is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Purushottaman and his consort Lakshmi as Purushottama Nayagi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thiruvaikunda Vinnagaram</span> Vishnu temple in Thirunangur

Thiruvaikunda Vinnagaram or Vaikunta Nathan Perumal Temple is dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu located in Tirunangur, a village in the outskirts of Sirkazhi in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vaikuntanathan and his consort Lakshmi as Vaikuntavalli.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parimala Ranganatha Perumal temple</span> Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu in Thiruvilandur, India

Parimala Ranganathar Perumal Temples or Tiruindaloor is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, located in Thiruvilandur of Mayiladuthurai, a town in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham by the 12 poet saints, or the Alvars. This temple is along Kaveri and is one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pachaimalai Subramanya Swamy Temple</span> Temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Pachaimalai Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple, also known as the Pachaimalai Balamurugan Temple, is one of the two major hill temples located in Gobichettipalayam, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to the Lord Murugan. The temple is constructed in the Tamil style of architecture and is located on top of a small hillock in the outskirts of the town of Gobichettipalayam near Pudupalayam, Tamil Nadu. Here, Kartikeya is venerated as Balamurugan or Subramanya Swamy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adikesava Perumal temple, Mylapore</span> Hindu temple in Chennai

Adi Kesava Temple is dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu located in Mylapore, Chennai, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed in the Tamil style of architecture, dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Adi Kesava Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Mayuravalli Thayar. The temple is believed to be the birthplace of Peyalvar, an Alvar saint. It is considered one among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Padalathri Narasimhar Temple</span> Hindu temple

Padalathri Narasimhar Temple or Narasimhar Temple is dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu (Narasimha) located in Singaperumal Koil, near Chennai City, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Constructed as rock-cut architecture, dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Narasimhar, and his consort Lakshmi as Ahobilavalli, the temple was built by the Pallavas during the 8th century. Earlier in Kanchipuram district, it is now under Chengalpattu district. The temple is Classified one among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vedarajan temple, Thirunagari</span> Vishnu temple

Vedarajan Temple in Thirunagari, a village in Mayiladuthurai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vedarajan and his consort Lakshmi as Amruthavalli. The temple is believed to be the birthplace of Thirumangai Alvar, one of the twelve Alvar saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kolanjiappar temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Kolanjiappar temple in Manavalanallur, a village on the outskirts of Virudhachalam in Cuddalore district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Murugan. Constructed in the Dravidian architecture, the temple is located in the Virudhachalam - Manavalanallur Road. The legend of the temple is associated with Saivite saint Sundarar and the Vriddhagiriswarar temple ad Virudhachalam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranganathaswamy temple, Karamadai</span> Hindu temple in Coimbatore

Ranganathaswamy temple in Karamadai, a town panchayat in Coimbatore district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is located 23 km from Coimbatore in the Coimbatore–Mettuplayam highway. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Ranganathaswamy and his consort Lakshmi as Ranganayaki in this temple. It is considered one among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate tradition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nithyakalyana Perumal temple</span> Hindu temple

Nithyakalayana Perumal temple in Thiruvidandai, a village in Chennai, Chengalpattu district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Varaha, the boar avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Tamil style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Nithyakalayana Perumal (Varaha) and his consort Lakshmi as Komalavalli Thayar. The original structure of the temple was built by the Pallavas during the 7th century CE, with later additions from the Cholas during the 11th century.

References

  1. ↑ "Sri Ramanuja's gift to the Lord". The Hindu. India. 24 December 2012.
  2. ↑ Bartley, C. J. (2002). The Theology of Rāmānuja: Realism and religion. Routledge Curzon. p. 1.
  3. ↑ Carman, John Braisted (1974). The Theology of Rāmānuja: An essay in interreligious understanding. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. p. 24.
  4. ↑ Carman, John B. (1994). Majesty and Meekness: A Comparative Study of Contrast and Harmony in the Concept of God. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 80. ISBN   9780802806932.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Sri Adhi Kesavaperumal temple". Dinamalar. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 Anantharaman, Ambujam (2006). Temples of South India. East West Books (Madras). pp. 1–7. ISBN   978-81-88661-42-8.
  7. ↑ S., Prabhu (31 March 2017). "Birthplace getting a facelift". The Hindu. Chennai. ProQuest   1882372928 . Retrieved 18 June 2022– via Proquest.
  8. ↑ T.A., Srinivasan (25 April 2003). "New temple car for Ramanuja". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 2 November 2003. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.