Kothandaramar Madurantakam

Madurantakam Vaishnavite Temples

God

Kothandaramar (Eri Katha Ramar), facing east

Goddess

Janagavalli Thaayar (Vagularanya Vasini), facing east

Other Deities

Chakrathazhwar, Vedanta Desikar, Ramanujar, Periya Nambigal, Lakshminarayana Perumal, Garuda, Rama Baktha Anjaneya

Kothandaramar Madurantakam is a large and ancient temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram facing east. A large temple tank is in front of the temple. A separate shrine for Rama Baktha anjaneya is on the north side of the tank and facing the Rajagopuram. The temple is also known as Mathuranthaka Chaturvedi Mangalam, Vaikunda Varthanam, Thirumathurai, Thirumanthira Tirupathi and Karunagara Vilagam. Thirumazhisai Azhvar attained siddhi here. The great Saint Ramanujar was initiated into the Pancha Samskara Mantram by Periya Nambi at this place. The lord was also given the name of Ramanujar here. The main deity made of Stucco, is 8 feet tall and majestic looking. In 1793, the then Collector Colonel Blaze built the Shrine for Janagavalli Thaayar after a miraculous vision.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Suganadhi (Kiliyar), Bashyakara Thadaagam, Sree Rama Pushkarini

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Magizham (Mimusops elengi)

Vimaanam – Pushpaga Vimaanam

History

The Cholas who ruled this place called it Maduranthaga Chaturvedi Mangalam after the Chola ruler Madurantaga Uttama Chola (973-85 CE). It is said 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 was built during the Pallava era. The temple has inscriptions of gifts from Chola King Parantaka I (907-955 CE).

Mythology

When Collector Colonel Blaze wanted to use the stones meant for the goddess shrine for controlling the frequent breaches in the huge adjoining lake the priests protested. In the night when heavy rains were lashing and the lake was up to the brim the colonel saw a vision of two warriors with bow and arrow guarding the tank bund and it did not breach. He then went on to construct the shrine.

Directions

Kothandaramar Madurantakam is in the center of town, adjoining and visible from the bypass.

Stay and Food

Madurantakam has one or two small restaurants for food. We would recommend the restaurants on the highway depending on the direction you are going.

Vaishnavite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples