Ramaswamy Cheranmahadevi

Ramaswamy, Cheranmahadevi

Vaishnavite Temples - Tirunelveli District

God

Maha Vishnu in standing, sitting and reclining posture in three tiers, facing east

Goddess

Mahalakshmi, facing east

Other Deities

Garudan, Anjaneya, Vinayaka

Ramaswamy Cheranmahadevi is a Vishnu Temple with the Lord in three postures in three tiers. Aadhi Narayanar is in a standing posture at the first ground level. Veetriruntha Perumal in sitting posture in the second level. Parkadalnathan reclining on top of the multiheaded snake Adisesha in the third level. This style of Vimaana is called Ashtanga Vimanam. Similar vimaanas are seen in Koodal Azhagar temple in Madurai and Parameswara Vinnagaram in Kanchipuram. There are 2 Prakarams in this grand old temple. The size of the Vimaana is very huge and is to be seen to be believed. Sadly this wonderful heritage was in a neglected state and disrepair for the past hundred years or more. The stucco images of the deities at different levels had all lost their paint and sheen. They had been painted originally with herbal paints. Media attention came to the rescue and around 2015 work was taken up, following standard practices, using herbal paints, and consecration was performed. The outer walls have also been renovated. The Vimaanam looked beautiful when we visited in November 2020.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Ramaswamy Cheranmahadevi is an ancient temple going back more than 1000 years. An 11th Century inscription records praise for Vaikanasas for lighting lamps. So committed were they that they pledged themselves to maintain a perpetual lamp at the temple. It also mentions that they were to be levied a penalty of double the quantity of ghee if they failed in their duty. There were several more gifts made for lighting the lamp, which clearly indicates that the daily routine was well taken care of. There is mention of land donation by the merchant guild for the maintenance of a security guard (Thiru Meiykaappu) at the temple. Also mentioned are the various festivals including Oonjal Utsav, Garuda Sevai, Brahmotsavam, Chariot Festival, and Thepotsavam. Recent renovations have left the inscriptions intact.

Legend

No information

Directions

Ramaswamy Cheranmahadevi is on the north side of Cheranmahadevi on the road going to the bridge across Tamiraparani river to join the Tirunelveli-Mukkudal-Kadayam-Tenkasi road.

Stay and Food

None locally except tea and snack shops. Closest is Tirunelveli or Ambasamudram depending on your travel plan.

Vaishnavite Temples

Tamilnadu Temples