THEDHANVANTARI TEMPLE RAMANATHAPURAM, COIMBATORE-TAMILNADU--COMPILED Dear friends,
Today my posting is about the Dhanvantari Temple inCoimbatore which is located within the Arya Vaidya Chikitsalayalam &Research Institute (AVCRI) compound in Ramanathapuram. The temple is dedicated to Dhanvantari; the Hindu deityassociated with Ayurveda and considered the source of all Ayurvedic knowledge.The temple is known for its peaceful atmosphere and is a rare temple dedicatedto Dhanvantari in South India. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 2-8-2025. Here's some basic informationabout the temple. Location: The temple is situated at No 136/137, Trichy Road,Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore, Coimbatore - 641045. Dedication: It is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, who isbelieved to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Significance: It is one of the few temples in the worlddedicated to Dhanvantari. Temple Features: The temple is known for its peaceful andserene atmosphere. Daily Rituals: Daily rituals are performed for the health andwell-being of patients, including chanting mantras and rhythmic drum beatsaccording to the Arya Vaidya Chikitsalayalam & Research Institute (AVCRI)website. Other Deities: Besides Dhanvantari, the temple also housesshrines for Ganesha,Ayyappa, Shiva, Hanuman, and the Navagrahas. Dress Code: Traditional and formal clothing is recommended,and photographyis not permitted inside the temple. Nearby: The temple is located near the Olumpus Stop and thenearest railway station is Pilamedu, about 2 km away. Mantra-Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaaya Dhanvantaraye Amrutha-Kalasa-Hasthaaya Sarvaamaya-Vinaashanaaya Tri-Lokya-Naathaaya Shri Mahaavishnave Namaha || Introduction The precincts of the Ayurveda Trust Complex, Where theChikitsalayam is located, is sanctified by a Dhanwanthari Temple, A rare one ofits kind in South India, Devotedto Dhanwanthari, The Patron deity and Source of all Ayurveda Knowledge.Tn this temple rituals are performed every day for the health and well-being of the patients. In addition, other deities like Ganesha, Ayyappa,Shiva, Hanuman, and the Navagrahas are also propitiated here. Thepresence of the temple and the performance of the rituals, the chanting ofincantations or Mantras, the rhythmic drum beats all add to the healingatmosphere on this campus. Though the inpatients are not allowed to move around duringthe main treatment, theycan certainly visit the temple on the first few days and the last few days of theirstay at the campus. Further,the “PRASAD” [Sandalwood paste and flowers] from the temple will be brought to patients daily to the occupancy of the patientsevery morning. Sree Dhanwanthari Of the celebrated 22 avatars as described in SrimatBhagawatam, the lord of Life & Medicines is mentioned to be the 12th. This temple stands proud amidst oneof the rare temples in the whole world that is devoted to Lord Dhanwanthari. Who is lord Dhanwanthari ? Why is he so important inAyurveda ? Lord Dhanvantari, the father of Ayurveda and God of health,was the first divine incarnation to impart Ayurveda wisdom and knowledge tohumans. Lord Dhanvantari is an outstanding personality in the history ofAyurveda. Being the physician of the Gods, an extraordinary surgeon is anincarnation of Lord Vishnu, and an expert in Ayurveda, he is worshipped all over India, particularly in South India,as the God of Medicine, especially on Dhanvantari Jayanti. Lord Dhanvantari isrepresented as a four-armed deity holding a pot ofAmrita (ambrosia- nectar of immortality) in one hand and a Shankha (conch) inanother, with the other two hands holding medicinal herbs and left hand thelord holds atta (leech). What is the legendabout God Dhanwantari? It is told in the scriptures how Dhanvantari, anincarnation of Lord Vishnu and the god of Ayurveda, emerged with the nectar ofimmortality. in the ancient scriptures that, “One whoremembers the name of Dhanvantari can bedisease freed”. The most frequently told story about lord Dhanvantari is that he first appeared during thechurning of cosmic ocean of milk. When the ocean was churned by the devas and asuras in search of theelixir of life, Dhanvantari, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, came out of itholding a bowl of nectar in his hands. The churning of the ocean of milk is afamous episode in the Puranas that represents lot of spiritual endeavour of aperson to achieve control of all world desires, a philosophy that echoesthrough the teachings and tradition of Ayurveda. The Bala Kanda of theRamayana and Bhagavat Purana, feature stories of Dhanvantari, the god ofAyurveda, and his miraculous deeds. starts the storylike this: Indra, the king of devas, when riding on his elephant, hecame across the sage Durvasa. Seeing Indra, sage Durvasa offeredhim a special garland that had been blessed by Sri, another manifestation of Laxmi, theGoddess of wealth. Indra accepted the garland without much concern and putit on the trunk of his elephant who in turn tossed it onto the floor. Sage Durvasa known for his reddish eyes and quick temper, wasvery annoyed by this way of Indra’sdisrespect, and in anger , He cursed Indra and all the devas withreddish eyes, filled with anger, a scenario that reflects the deep narrativesfound in Hindu mythology, to be devoid of all strengththereafter. Taking advantage of this situation, the Asura demons attacked the devas and killedmany of them, and slowlystarted capturing control over the universe. Unable to toleratethis, Indra and other devas sought Brahma's help. Brahma suggested bringing their difficultsituation to the knowledge of LordVishnu, who in turn advised them to seek an alliance with the Asuras to churn the ocean of milk togetherfor the nectar of immortality. Devas agreed onlybecause Lord Vishnu told them that he would support them and make sure that they alone would get the nectar torecover their strength further on to defeat Asuras. So now the churningepisode begins. . .Usingthe mountain Mandara as the rod and Vasuki the serpent as the cord, both devasand asuras proceeded to churn the oceanof milk. The churning was so difficult that various things started emerging outof that, including Lord Dhanvantari who emerged from the ocean with the elixirof life. Firstamongst was the deadly visha called halahala which only lord shiva couldswallow without being affected, even by the potent venom that the serpentVasuki, used as a churning rope during the churning of the ocean, could release.The visha halahala settled in that lord shiva’s throat as per the legend. The churning continued, with the serpent Vasuki being used asthe rope. Lord Dhanvantari emergedfrom the ocean next row, holding in his hands the precious gifts of health andimmortality, symbols that highlight his significance in Hindu mythology and thetradition of Ayurveda. Dhanvantari wasyoung, and strongly built, with a broad chest, strong arms, curly hairs, and abluish-black complexion. As he emerged, he was holding a conch, leeches,healing herbs, a sankha and chakra, and the long-sought pot of amrita (ambrosia). The asuras guessed the right moment and realized that the pot contained the nectar ofimmortality and snatchedaway the pot from his hand at the right moment. Snatching the pot away, They started quarrelling amongstthemselves about who will take the nectar first and have it to attainimmortality. Seeing them busy fighting, lord Vishnu tricked them. Heappeared as Mohini, a beautiful woman who fascinated the asuras, recovered thenectar from them, and distributed it only amongst the devas. As soonas the devas drank it, they wereenergized and defeated the demons. Afterworshipping Lord Vishnu and Shri Laxmi, they resumed their position in theheavens. At the time of the churning, Lord Vishnuforetold that Lord Dhanvantari would appear again in the world to teach thescience of Ayurveda. Seeing humanity suffering from ailments, he pleadedwith Lord Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda, to descend into the material worldand teach Ayurveda to the human race according to ancient Hindu scriptures. Another legend In another legend, Lord Dhanvantari is said to haveincarnated as the son of King Dirghatamas of Kasi and Queen Sudha. The king wasperforming severe austerities and offerings to the Lord with the hopes that he would be blessed with a son.Pleased with his devotion, Lord Dhanwanthari was born in the royal house ofKashi. He Learned Ayurvedafrom Lord Indra himself and became an expert. He taught Ayurveda,emphasizing the importance of Dhanvantari Jayanti to his disciples. and the science of healing techniques to hisdisciples and from there to the suffering humanity. Architecture. The temple's architecture follows Kerala temple styles, featuring asanctum sanctorum with a double-storeyed structure and a wide verandah withwooden pillars. The main deity, Lord Dhanwanthari, is depicted with four armsholding a conch, wheel, pot of nectar, and a leech, symbolizing the essence ofAyurveda. Key Architectural Features of Sree Dhanvanthari Temple are 1) Dravidian Style Gopuram (Tower): Theentrance is typically marked by an ornate gopuram, featuring intricate carvingsof deities, mythical creatures, and floral designs. This is a hallmark of SouthIndian temples. Mandapam (Pillared Hall): The temple likely includes apillared hall used for gatherings and rituals. The pillars often showcasedetailed sculptures and motifs. Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum): The innermost chamber housesthe main deity, Lord Dhanwanthari, the Hindu god of medicine. The sanctum isusually simple, focusing attention on the idol. Vimana (Temple Tower above Sanctum): Above the sanctum, thereis often a small, ornate tower called a vimana, decorated with iconographyrelevant to the deity. Prakaram (Circumambulatory Path): The temple has a pathwayfor devotees to walk around the sanctum, symbolizing reverence and devotion. Sacred Pond or Tank: Many South Indian temples feature awater tank or pond, used for ritual purification. Decorative Elements: Expect to see vibrant sculptures, oillamps, and possibly murals or frescoes depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. Architectural SummaryTable Feature Description Style Kerala templearchitecture Sanctum Sanctorum Double-storeyed,wooden pillars, wide verandah Main Deity Orientation West-facingLord Dhanwanthari Iconography Conch,wheel, nectar pot, leech (Ayurveda) Auxiliary Shrines Ganesha,Ayyappa, Shiva, Hanuman, Navagraha Rituals Kerala-stylepoojas, yagas, homams History Speaking of AVP in whose campus this temple is built wasfounded in 1943 by late AryaVaidyan P.V Rama Variar ,who was a humanitarian, philosopher andphysician par excellence. Deity appearance According to the ancient Sanskrit work Vishnudharamottara,Dhanvantari is a handsome individual and should usually be depicted with fourhands, with one of them carrying Amrita, the ambrosia of the gods. Dhanvantariis depicted as Vishnu with four hands, holding Shankha, Chakra, Jalauka (leech)and a pot containing rejuvenating nectar called amrita. He is often shown with a leechin his hand rather than the scriptures. Iconography &Deity Placement The main deity, Lord Dhanwanthari (the divine physician), isenshrined facing west—uncommonin many South Indian temples where east-facing placement is typical. The idol is depicted with four arms, holding a conch, wheel,pot of nectar, and a leech—each symbolizing an aspect of Ayurveda and healing. Auxiliary Shrines& Features The temple also houses shrines for other deities: Ganesha,Ayyappa, Shiva, Hanuman, and the Navagrahas (nine planetary gods). There is a dedicated Sai Baba Sannidhi within the templecomplex. The presence of trees, creepers, and medicinal plantsenhances the healing atmosphere and connects the temple to its Ayurvedic roots. Rituals. Rituals are performed daily, contributing to the healingatmosphere of the campus. Visitors often experience a serene ambiance, with thepresence of trees and plants enhancing the temple's environment. Kerala-style rituals and poojas (prayers) are performeddaily, including unique yagas (sacrificial rituals) like Maha Mrityunjaya Homam. Honouring Dhanvantari Lord Dhanvantari is honoured on the occasion of Dhanteras, which falls two days beforeDiwali, the Hindu festival of lights. On this day, people worshiphim and seek his blessings for good health and well-being. On this day, a Diya (lamp) facingnortheast is lit at the house's doorstep to greet Lord Dhanvantari andwish for good health and happiness in life. Lord Dhanvantari's blessings, afigure central to the tradition of Ayurveda, are believed to provide relieffrom ailments and promote overall wellness. Dhanvantari Jayanthi The birth of Lord Dhanvantari is mentioned in ShrimadBhagwat and puranas . Lord Dhanvantari emerged when both devas and asuras hadchurned the cosmic milky ocean. He came about with a vessel of ambrosia in his hands while churning . It is believed that he was born to protect living beings from untimelydeath, diseases, and sorrows. The word Dhanu symbolizes sorrow and Dhanvantri means thedestroyer of sorrows. The nationcelebrates Lord Dhanwantari's birth on the 13th lunar day in Aswini Month.Since he is considered as divinepropagator of Ayurveda and conferred with the virtues of granting health andwealth, Dhanvantari Jayanti was preferred for the celebration of Ayurveda Dayto nationalize this system of medicine. The National Ayurveda Day is celebratedevery year on the occasion of Dhanwantari Jayanti (Dhanteras), emphasizing thetradition of Ayurveda and its age-old practices for health and wellness since2016. Other festivals All festivals in other Vishnu/Dhanvantari temples arefollowed in this temple. Address and phonenumber of the temple Dhanwantari Temple Campus, 136/137 Trichy Road,Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu - 641045. [email protected] · +91422 2367238 · +91 422 2367220. Temple opening times The Dhanvantari Temple in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, located inRamanathapuram, is open daily from 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the morning and 5 PMto 8 PM daily. Dress Code: Traditional and formal clothing is recommended, according totemple information. Photography: Not allowed inside the temple. Dhanvantari Temple inTamilnadu In Tamilnadu there is Dhanwantari Temple at RanganathaswamyTemple, at SriRangam,Trichy. This oldest shrine dedicated toDhanvantari dates back to the 12th century in the courtyard of the SriRanganathaswamy Temple. Worship services are offered daily to thedeity. Devotees are offered with herbs as ‘Prasad’. Sri Dhanwantari Temple atCoimbatore is anotherpopular Lord Dhanvantari Temple in Tamilnadu. Located in the heart ofCoimbatore City in the Arya Vaidya Pharmacy Campus (Arya Vaidya Chikitsalayamand Research Institute), Sri Dhanwantari Mandir enshrines the God of Life andMedicine, Lord Dhanvantari as the presiding deity. Dhanvantari temple in NorthIndia Though he is worshipped as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu,there are very few temples in India which are dedicated toDhanvantari and none in North India except for a single statue in the CentralCouncil for Research in Ayurveda in New Delhi and another one in an ashram inHaridwar. However, there are temples dedicated to him in Kerala andTamil Nadu, where Ayurveda is still patronized and preached. Additional Notes Sree Dhanwanthari Temple is especially known for the peacefulatmosphere and the healing rituals conducted for health and wellness. The temple often uses traditional materials like granite andfeatures bright, colourful exteriors typical of temples in Tamil Nadu. The temple follows classicKerala temple architecture, which is rare in Coimbatore. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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