Yogaramar Nedungunam

Yogaramar, Nedungunam

Vaishnavite Temples, Thiruvannamalai District

God

Yogaramar, facing east with Sita and Lakshmana

Goddess

Senkamalavalli Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Garudan, Sanjeevi Anjaneya, Kalyana Venkatesa Perumal, Chakrathazhwar, Vykanasacharyar, Vijayaraghava Perumal

Lord Rama is seen sitting here in Yoga posture without any weapons and listening to Hanuman as he recites scriptures. Lord Hanuman can only be seen by stepping inside as he is opposite Lord Rama. This is said to be a unique representation. The circumambulatory path is a few feet below the level of the Sanctum Sanctorum and one has to bend down and go in.

Yogaramar Nedungunam is a large east facing temple with 2 Prakarams. The outer Prakaram is entered through a large 7 tiered Rajagopuram. There is a large temple car stationed outside. Before you enter, on your right is the Temple Pond, though not clean. The inside walls of the large Rajagopuram has some beautiful carvings including scenes from Ramayana and Dasavatara on either sides. As you enter to your right is a large Mantapa with magnificent pillars with Yalis, ornamental and other carvings. On the left is another Mantapam. The east facing goddess shrine is in the outer Prakaram. The mantapa before the shrine has some wonderful carvings on the pillars including Krishna Leela and Krishnadeva Raya in praying posture. There are two beautiful Dwarapalakis on either side of the Goddess shrine. The processional deity of Vijaya Raghava Perumal is connected with her. The inner Prakaram is entered through another beautiful 5 tiered Gopuram. There are two Anjaneya idols one behind the other, one being found on the hill opposite. There are two large and magnificent Dwarapalakas on either side of the Sanctum Sanctorum. One of them has broken toes. The hill opposite is called Dheeerkachala Hill which is said to look like a human cum parrot face from a particular angle. On top of this hill is a set of footprints believed to be that of Lord Rama. There are two more temples in the area with Lord Rama in Yoga posture – one at Padavedu and another at Raghunathasamudram.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Sukha Theertham, Surya Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Yogaramar Nedungunam is said to go back to the Pallava period with later additions and developments done by the Vijayanagar Kings. Thirugnanasambandar (7th Century CE) is said to have visited this temple and accorded a reception here.

Legend

Lord Rama is believed to have stopped here to bless Sage Sukha Brahma who was his devotee and in deep penance towards him. In spite of his hurry to get back to Ayodhya after the war at Sri Lanka, Lord Rama stopped here emphasizing his noble qualities. Thus the name of the place is Nedum Gunam (of very high or noble qualities). Sage Sukha Brahma, who had the ability to take any form he wanted, once flew to Mount Kailash as a Parrot and tried to learn the secrets Lord Shiva was preaching to Parvati. He was cursed by her to be a parrot forever, however Lord Shiva countered by making him a human with a parrot face. The hill opposite strangely resembles the human parrot face when seen from an angle.

Directions

Yogaramar Nedungunam is 5 kilometers east of Chetpet on the Vandavasi Road.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest for food would be Chetpet or Vandavasi.

Vaishnavite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples