SRI RAMA DARSHAN - MADURANTHAGAM

Eri Katha Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in the town of Madurantakam,Tamil Nadu, India. This is the stalam where Udayavar was named 'Ramanujar'. Ramanujar was instructed the Pancha Samskara Mantram. Mathuranthaka Chaturvedi Mangalam, Vaikunda Varthanam, Thirumathurai, Thirumanthira Tirupathi, Karunagara Vilagam are the other names of the stalam. Tirumisai Alwar got siddhi in this stalam.

This is the place under the Magizha tree, where Sri Ramanujar was given "Pancha Samskaram"(Sramasayanam) by his acharyan Peria Nambigal. That is when Maduranthakam was given the name "Dvayam Vilindha Tirupathi". Upon receiving Kanchi Varadarajar's divine order through Tirukachi Nambi, Ramanuja set to Srirangam to become the disciple of Peria Nambigal. He met him in Maduranthakam itself, in the lake precincts. Peria Nambigal was on his way to Kanchi to install Ramanuja as the successor of Sri Aalanvandar. In the month of Avani, on the Sukla Panchami, Peria Nambigal gave the Samasrayanam (Pancha Samskaram) Dvaya Mantropadesam. The festival is celebrated every year. This is the only place where Ramanujar can be seen as a Grihastha.

The main deity of the Eri Katha Ramar temple is Lord Rama. He is in standing position facing east in this temple. The height of the main idol is around 8 feet. In this temple Lord Rama is seen along with his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana. Lord Hanuman cannot be seen in this temple, which is rare.

This temple is on the banks of the huge Madurantakam lake. According to the legend, once Lord Rama saved the people of Thirunindravur from floods by protecting the bunds of the lake from breaching. Hence this god is known as Eri Katha Ramar (Rama who saved the tank). This god is known to fulfill the wishes of the devotees; however the temple is being maintained poorly for lack of funds.

At the entrance of the temple, you will see the Inscriptions on the wall showing the donations made by the British collector - Colonel Blaze. You will also see a small representation of the Colonel himself.

The walls of the temple are also inscribed with the devotional songs composed by Saint Tyagaraja, a great poet saint of south India, in praise of Lord Rama. There are separate shrines for Lakshmi Narasimhar, Periya Nambi and Ramanuja, Andal, Sudarshana and Vedanta Desika in this temple. A separate shrine for Shri Anjaneya is located on the opposite banks of the lake.

On the day of Sri Rama Navami Lord Rama is adorned  in five different attires- Lord with a Plait , Ekaantha Vastram , ThiruAabarana Alankaaram , Vaira Mudi Sevai and Muthu Kondai .  Vaikunda Ekadashi in December-January (Tamil Margazhi) is celebrated very grandly in this temple. The Utsavamurti (procession idol) of Lord Rama and Karunakara Perumal can also be seen in this temple. Karunakara Perumal is none other than Lord Vishnu with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. Lord Rama himself is said to have worshipped the Utsavamurti at Madurantakam.

Periya Nambi took Ramanuja to the Bakula tree of the temple and inducted him on the five sacraments ("Pancha Samskarams"), viz., "Tapam", "Pundram", "Namam", "Mantram" and "Yagam . Thus the Bakula tree became to the Vaishnavites what the Bodhi tree is to the Buddhists.

This temple is believed to be about 1500 years old. Uthama Chozhan, the ancestor of the great Chozha king Raja Raja Chozhan, is said to have played a role in the construction of this temple and is believed to have dedicated and given this temple to those learned Vedic Scholars (Vedham Othum Anthanar).

Sri Rama Navami is the best time to visit this temple of Madurantakam. Sri Rama Navami celebrations in the month of Panguni (March-April) last for 10 days. In the month of 'Ani' (June-July) the Brahmotsavam (Annual Celebrations) of Lord Rama are conducted.

The temple is open from 7.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. through out the year.

Moolavar : 

Kothanda Raamar(Kalyana Raamar) with a bow in Hand, East Facing Standing Posture

Goddess : Janaka Valli Thaayar Utsavar : 

1. Karunakara Perumal 

2. Raama 

Temple Time : 7.30 am-12 noon and 4.30 pm-8.30 pm 

Festival : Sri Raama Navami in Panguni, 

                  15 day Brahmotsavam in Aani, Bashyakaarar Jayanthi in Chitrai

Madurantakam by Buses : 

Every 5-10mts between Madras (Chennai) and Tindivanam / Villipuram / Trichy 

By Train  :

One may also take the Sub-Urban train to Chengalpet and then a 30 minute bus drive to Madurantakam (25kms from Chengalpet)is a good option. By Car With the 6 laning of the Chennai-Trichy highway, 

By Car :

One can reach Madurantakam from Chennai in an hour and half by car

Contact details-
Sri Eri Katha Ramar Temple,
Madurantakam, Kanchipuram district   
Phone: - +91- 4115 253887, 98429 09880, 93814 82008.

Accommodation:-

 
Eri Katha Ramar temple does not offer any accommodation. In Madurantakam also you may not find proper accommodation. So, it is advisable to stay in nearby cities like Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, etc where you will find all varieties of accommodation from budget hotels to luxury hotels according to your need and pocket.