Kothandarama Perumal Temple—Madurantakam
The kothandaramar Temple is located on Madurantakam, Kanchipuram district.
In the epigraph of Chola king Parantaka I, the temple was called as Ayodhya
Perumal Temple and God as Ayoddipperumal. At present the temple is called
as Eri-Katha Ramar Temple (i.e., ‘The one who protected the tank’)
Originally Madurantakam was known *as Vaghularanyam* which means forest of
sweet smelling Vahula blossoms. Madu+rantakam, the village which had the
boundaries of giving pleasing happiness to heart because of sweet smelling
Vahula blossoms, so the village is called as Madurantakam. Another view
related with the name Madurantakam is “It is a spot possessing springs that
spout water as sweet as nectar”. It is also construed that Madurantaka was
the one of the titles of Chola king Parantaka I, it was named after him as
Madurantakam. Yet another view is that village was named after Madurantaka
Uttama Chola. However the occurrence of seventh regnal year lithic record
of Parantaka I at Kothandaramar Temple at Madurantakam ensures that the
village was named after Chola King Parantaka I, whereas Madurantaka Uttama
Chola lithic record is not found in the temple.
According to the legend connected with this temple, Lord Rama visited
the hermitage of sage *Vibhandaka *during his exile. The sage requested him
to return there on his way back to Ayodhya. When he was returning home on his
Pushpaka Vimana, it land at this place, to Rama’s puzzlement. Sita remained
him of the sage’s request. Lord Rama’s landing from the carriers, lending a
hand to Sita to help her down. This is the rare sight that one can see that
Rama holding Sita’s hand in this temple. This vision is *called
hastavalambana (i.e., hands held together).* Thus, the temple is called as
Ayodya Perumal Temple in ancient period which is evidenced from the
inscriptions and presently it is called Kodandarama Perumal temple which is
the other name of Ayodhya Perumal.
Another legend connected with this temple is the Brahmaputras (son of
Brahma) asked Lord Vishnu how to achieve salvation. He gave them an image
of himself in the form of Karnakaramurthy (All merciful) and advised them
to meditate upon it at a place called Vibhandakasram in Vaghularanyam,
which is the modern Madurantakam. As obeyed, the Brahmaputras installed the
image of Karnakaramurthy in the hermitage of Vibhandaka, who attained
salvation after worshipping the image. This took place in Krita yugam.
Thus, the idol of Karnakaramurthy is seen in the garbhagriha.
Inscriptions
The Kodandarama Perumal temple consists of five epigraphs, belongs to the
Chola period. The earliest inscription assigned to Parantaka I. The lithic
record of Parantakadeva dated in the seventh regnal year, on the south wall
of the Kodandarama shrine at Madurantakam registers a gift of land to the
temple of Ayodha Perumal.
The inscription dated in his third regnal year of Rajakesarivarman alias
Tribhuvana Chakravartin kulottunga Chola Deva on the west wall of the
central shrine in the Kodandarama Perumal Temple at Madurantakam refers to
the gift of areca nut garden for maintain two lamps. Another inscription on
the north wall of the central shrine in the Kodandarama Perumal Temple
pertaining to Parakesarivarman alias Tribhuvana Chakravartin Vikrama
Choladeva dated in his ninth regnal year mentions about the gift of money.
Yet another inscription of Vikrama Choladeva dated in his seventh regnal
year records that four padagam of temple land has been brought under the
cultivation by a certain lady for providing offering to God
Tiru-Ayoddipperumal.
Finally, a lithic record on a beam of the mandapa in front of the Amman
shrine states that the Amman (Tayar) shrine in the temple is gift of Lionel
Place, the Jahir collector of the East India Company.
The square garbagraha is adorned with Kodandarama Perumal bearing
bow, accompanied with his consort Sita and Lakshmana in standing posture.
[Genaral.Preface.No.1] The bronze images of Lord Rama, Karunakara, Sridevi
and Bhudevi is also seen in the garbhagaraha. The garbagraha is followed by
empty ardhamandapa [G.P.No.2]. The entrance of the ardhamandapa is flanked
with two dwarapalakas on either side. The ardhamandapa is followed by
mahamandapa [G.P.No.3] lead to the pillared verandah or inner prakara
[G.P.No.4]. The mahamandapa is followed by pillared mandapa called as
Gayathri mandapa [G.P.No.5]. The Gayathri mandapa is followed by open
pillared mukhamandapa enshrined with Garudalwar [G.P.No.6 & 6a] in standing
posture with anjali hasta facing towards god in the garbagraha. Open
pillared mandapa is followed by dwajasthampa [G.P.No.7] and balipitha
[G.P.No.8] and leads to the prakara [G.P.No.9]. South east corner of the
prakara is adorned with temple office [G.P.No.10], shrine for
Chakrathaalwar [G.P.No.11], shrine for Vedantha Desikar [G.P.No.12], shrine
for Alwars [G.P.No.13]. Southern side of the prakara leads to the
nathavanam (garden) adorned with Vasantha mandapa [G.P.No.14]. The south
western corner is adorned with separate shrine for Goddess Janakavalli
Thayar [G.P.No.15] with garbagraha, ardhamandapa and pillared Mukhamandapa.
The north western corner of the prakara is adorned with shrine for Andal
[G.P.No.18] with garbagraha and ardhamandapa. Sthalaviriksha tree (Vaghula
tree) [G.P.No.16] and small four pillared mandapa [G.P.No.17] where
Ramanujar was given Pancha Samskaram (initiation) by his teacher
Periyanambigal is seen closer to the Andal shrine. The north eastern side
of the prakara is adorned with shrine for Periya Nambi [G.P.No.19], Lakshmi
Narashimar [G.P.No.20] and mandapa [G.P.No.21] which leads to the main
entrance [G.P.No.22] with five tiers gopura. The temple is surrounded by
highly raised madhil adorned with Garudalwar on the four corners. The
temple tank [G.P.No.23] is situated outside gopura (Plate 1). Vahana
mandapa [G.P.No.25] is seen eastern side of the temple entrance. There is
shrine for Anjaneya [G.P.No.24] in the south eastern corner of the temple
tank.
Janakavalli Thayar Shrine
The note worthy feature of the place is the Madurantakam Tank which is
constructed across the river Kiliyar which rises in the hill at Wandewash.
Formerly there were two tanks and they were converted into one large tank
by Lionel Place, collector of the Chinglepet district in 1796. During the
period 1795-1999, a British officer named Colonel Lionel Place, was the
collector of Chenglepet district, who had witnessed the devastation caused
by two breaches to a huge water tank that still existed in Madurantakam.
With an area of 13 square miles and depth of 21 feet, the length of the
tank bound is 12,960 feet. As it is rain fed, the danger of a beach become
all too real during the monsoon season. Coveting to take preventative
action in 1798, collector Place decided to be prepared campaign in
Madurantakam to handle an emergency. During his campaign, he happened to
see a large collection of granite and other stones in the precincts of the
Rama Temple, he immediately instructed his subordinates to use them to
strengthen the tank walls. Hearing this the temple priest explained him
that the stones were actually meant for building a separate shrine for
Goddess Janakavalli Amman, but work had not start since there was a lack of
funds. On hearing this Collecter then asked in jest, “Why does your Lord,
who is not able to save the tank each year, need a separate shrine for his
consort?” The priest replied that the Lord “always answered a prayer from
the heart”. Soon after, the Collector left was saying that he definitely
would not be wanting in prayers to the Lord. Such was his desire to save
the tank.
The rain came and filled the tank to the brim, and a breach seemed
imminent. That night the worried Collector camped near the tank, hoping
that the walls would hold. Suddenly he saw an astonishing sight that two
warriors bearing bow and quiver of arrow, guarding the tank. The British
Collector Colonel Place, went down on his knees and prayed, he become
conscious that the figures were none other than Lord Rama and his brother
Lakshmana. When those who were accompanying him saw him on his knees, they
rushed to his side assuming he was ill. After a while the vision disappears
and the rain stopped. He described the amazing sight he had seen, to the
village people. And then Colonel Place took it upon himself to build a
shrine for Goddess Janakavalli Amman.
Thus Lord Rama in Madurantakam came known as “Eri katha Ramar” and the
temple as “Eri katha Ramar koil”. This is inscribed as the inscription on a
beam of the mandapa in front of the Amman shrine.
Ramanuja Pancha Samskaras (Plate 20)
This is the place where the great vaishnavite saint Ramanuja was received
initiation by his Guru Periya Nambigal. On the death of Sri Alavandar in
Srirangam, saint Periya Nambi went towards Kanchipuram in search of
Ramanuja to appoint as the successor. It so happened that two meet at
Madurantakam. It was under the Vaghula tree that Periya Nambi initiated
Ramanuja the five sacraments called Pancha Samskaras or Samasranyanam
called Mantropadesam(divine syllable) namely Taapam (branding the conch and
discuss on the shoulder), Pundram (donning the Lord’s feet on twelve parts
of the body), Naman (submitting to the guru), Mantram (learning sacred
‘strings’ of words and uttering them) and yagam (doing pujas to the God
everyday). At present there is a four pillared mandapa in this temple under
Vaghula tree where Ramanuja was given Pancha Samskaram. Thus is temple is
also called as “Dvayam Vilindha Tirupathy”
Kodandarama Perumal, Sita and Lakshmana (plate.3)
The sculptures of Kodandarama Perumal, Sita and lakshmana are enshrined in
the garbagraha. They are standing in padmapitha. Kritamakuta decorates
their head. Kodandarama and Lakshmana bearing bow in their left hand and
arrow in their right hand. Kodandarama is accompanied with his consort Sita
by holding her left hand. Sita holds parrot in her left hand and right hand
is in lola hasta.
Dwarapalakas (Plate4a)
The entrance of the ardhamandapa is flanked with two dwarapalakas on either
side. Dwarapalaka on the southern side stands in dwibhanga posture. The
Kritamakuta adorn his head. Off his four hands, the upper right Chakra and
left holds Sanka and the lower left palm is placed on the danda and the
lower right is in susi hasta. His legs were firmly footed on patra pitha He
wears kuntalas in his ears, haras in his neck a thick Yajnopavitha passes
through his knee. The wide opened eyes and the protruding teeth present a
ferocious look. The northern Dwarapala also stands in dwibhanga posture.
His head is adorned with Kritamakuta. Off his four hands, the upper right
Chakra and left holds Sanka and the lower right is palm placed on the danda
and the lower left is in susi hasta. His legs were firmly footed on patra
pitha He wears kuntalas in his ears, haras in his neck a thick Yajnopavitha
passes through his knee. The wide opened eyes and the protruding teeth
present a ferocious look.
Bronzes: Karunakara Perumal, Sridevi, Bhudevi (Plate 18a)
The bronze images of Karunakara Perumal, along with his consorts Sridevi
and Bhudeviare enshrined as uttchava deities. The bronze image of Perumal
is standing in a samabhanga posture on Padmapitha. He is wearing
kritamakuta. His Lower right hand is in abayahaasta and left in
varadhahasta. The upper hand holds sanka and the upper left hand holds
chakra. Sridevi and Bhudevi were enshrined in standing posture on
Padmapitha. They wears kritamakuta. Their one hand is in lola hasta and
other bears flower. They were decorated with ornaments.
Kodandarama Perumal, Sita, Lakshmana (Plate 18b)
The bronze inages of Kodandarama Perumal, Sita and lakshmana are enshrined
in the garbagraha. They are standing in padmapitha. Kritamakuta decorates
their head. Kodandarama and Lakshmana bearing bow in their left hand and
arrow in their right hand. Kodandarama is accompanied with his consort Sita
by holding her left hand. Sita holds parrot in her left hand and right hand
is in lola hasta.
K Rajaram IRS 21925
On Sun, 21 Sept 2025 at 11:54, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty <
[email protected]> wrote:
> *KODANDA RAMASWAMY TEMPLE ,HIREMAGALUR,CHIKAMAGALUR DISTRICT, *
>
> *KARNATAKA STATE- **COMPILED*
>
> Introduction
>
> Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple is a highly revered Hindu shrine in Hiremagalur
> in the Chickamagalur district. Located on the banks of river
> Tungabhadra, this beautiful shrine is dedicated to Lord Rama, an
> incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Housing life-size statues of Lord Rama, his
> brother Laxmana, and Devi Sita, the temple celebrates their life before
> exile. The magnificent idols have been sculpted from a single rock. Each
> feature including their ornaments has been chiselled in stone painstakingly.
>
> The temple is visited by devotees throughout the year and also hosts an annual
> celebration known as "Jatra” in February.
>
> Legend
>
> The temple celebrates the life of Lord Rama and his marriage to Devi Sita.
>
> According to the *Skanda Purana*, Lord Rama shattered Lord Parasuram's
> bow. It was a symbolic act of shattering his pride, and haughtiness. Lord
> Parasuram accosted Lord Rama and realised his mistake.
>
> The awakened sage Parasuram in all humility stated that *he had skipped
> his wedding thinking as if it were a simple Ksahatriya wedding. He begged
> Sri Rama to grant him darshan in Kalyana Kolam*.
>
> Lord Rama granted him his wish, Kalyana Seve, by placing Sita to his right
> and Lakshmana to his left. In honour of this, and Parasurama's penance, the
> location has given the name Bhargavapuri.
>
> Legends say that the place was the residence of nine siddhas who performed
> penance near a pond in the village known as *Siddha Pushkarni* .
>
> History
>
> The temple is *State protected* and appears to have been created in three
> stages, with its garbhagrha and sukhanasi buildings in the Hoysala style.
>
> The remaining sections are Dravidian-style extensions. This 14th-century
> navaranga is what it is today. However, the mukhamandapa can date to the
> sixteenth century. The vestibule and garbhagruha’s outside walls are raised
> on a square basement with six cornices. Brick and mortar are used to
> construct the navaranga and mukhamandapa’s outside walls. The vestibule
> projection is visible.
>
> The Navagraha shrine as we see it today was constructed in the 14th
> century AD, the Mukhamanatapa was built in the 16th century, and the
> splendid entrance was set up in the 17th century.
>
> Architecture
>
> Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple is renowned to be the largest in the region. The
> temple is built in the Hoysala style, although the Garbhagriha and Sukanasi
> sections are built in the Dravidian style. It has three Gopurams supported
> by columns with depictions of Rama, Laksmana, and Krishna.
>
> The central tower of the temple faces east while the other two towers
> face north and south. Being the entrance, the central tower is built in
> five tiers. The mandapa is supported over 32 pillars and features
> magnificent sculptures. Brackets or corbels have been used for the roof of
> the central part.
>
> *Lord Rama’s beloved friend Lord Hanuman is missing from most depictions*
> however
> a separate temple has been dedicated to him. A statue of Lord Ganesha in
> a dancing pose adorns the Mandapam.
>
> Main Deities
>
> Idols of Lord Ram, Laxman, and Devi Sita preside in the Garbhagriha.
> Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple is the only temple where Devi Sita is towards the
> right of the lord. The temple deity is called Kodandarama, or Rama holding
> his bow, named "kodanda." The main deity is also in marriage arrangement
> (vivaha) or Kalyana-rama, as Sita is to Rama's right, as opposed to the
> more common arrangement where she appears to his left. The temple is likely
> the oldest surviving, and continuously operating temple dedicated to Rama.
>
> In the garbhagrha on a common pedestal, 1.5 ft high, there are idols of
> Kodandarama with Sita to his right and Lakshmana to his left. Rama and
> Lakshmana carry the arrows in their right hands and strung bows in their
> left hands. Typically, an idol of Hanuman accompanies images of Rama, but
> according to legend, the scene depicted of the presiding deity is situated
> at a time before Rama and Hanuman have met. *The image of Hanuman was
> likely added to the pedestal for ritual sanctification purposes as worship
> of Rama is inappropriate without Hanuman.*
>
> Sub deities
>
> The temple's main attraction is Pakara, which is an enclosed area with
> images of Madhava, Sugriva, *Yoganarasimha and Muddukrishna*.
>
> Images of Vedanta Desika, Ramanujacharya, Deshika, are also found. The
> images belong to the pre-Hoysala and Chalukya period. Depictions from
> Vishnu’s scriptures can be seen on the Sukanasi and Garbhagriha's exteriors.
>
> But after Rama, Balarama and Krishna are engraved, with the Buddha missing
> in the prakara. This is common in many Sri Vaishnava representations of
> dashavataras *as they give prominence to Balarama*, here measuring 4 ft.
> with four hands and in a pre-Hoysala style, resembling Badami Chalukya
> workmanship.
>
> The outer-walls of the garbhagrha and sukansi have, besides pilasters and
> turrets, two rows of figures representing mostly Vishnu and his Avatars
> such as Hayagriva, Narasimha, Lakshminarayana, Venugopala, Kalinga-Mardana
> and Govardhanadhari. There are also figures of Lakshmi, Hanuman, Garuda and
> Ganapati. *There is a beautiful murti on the Gopuram near the entrance of
> Agni bhagavan with two heads, seven tongues and three legs*. A yatra of
> Kodandarama temple is held for one day during February–March each year. The
> temple had a pond nearby which is now dry.
>
> Festival
>
> Rama Navami is a prominent Hindu event held in this city.
>
> Temple tank
>
> Devotees bathe in Siddha Pushkarini, which is believed to contain
> anti-venomous properties and is highly efficient in curing snake bites.
>
> Temple Timings
>
> 7:30 am – 12:30 am 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
>
> Interesting facts about Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple
>
> The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama's life before his exile to the forest.
>
> It is believed the temple has been built in the precise place where Lord
> Rama anointed Sugriva as the new primate king.
>
> Sugriva bows in front of Lord Rama in place of Lord Hanuman, unlike in
> other Lord Rama temples.
>
> Opposite Shiva Temple is a 9-foot-tall stone pillar with a top that
> resembles a trident.
>
> *It is the only temple where Kannada stotras and mantras are chanted.*
>
> Things to keep in mind while visiting Temple
>
> Before entering the temple, please leave all electronic devices such as
> cell phones, calculators, cameras, and shoes.
>
> Place your offerings in the Hundi at the temple premises.
>
> Enter the temple premises in decent attire and maintain hygiene.
>
> *Ancient traditions are practised at the temple, hence be respectful of
> the beliefs of other pilgrims.*
>
> Administration
>
> It is a private temple . Managed and maintained by Sri Hiremagalur Kannan
> and his family.
>
> Nearby attractions
>
> Shiva temple with a beautiful image of Saraswathi and an eight-legged bull
> is nearby. One can also visit a temple dedicated to Parasurama in the
> vicinity.
>
> According to Puranic tradition and folklore, the spot where Janamejaya
> performed the "Sarpa Yagna" (serpent sacrifice) is near the temple.
>
> How to reach the Temple
>
> Being only 5 km from Chikmagalur, Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple is easily
> accessible by most means of transport.
>
> By Rail: The nearest railway station is in Kadur. It is around 40
> kilometres away and you can reach the temple by local bus or private cab.
>
> By Road: The major cities and towns are well connected to Chikmagalur.
> State-owned and luxury premium buses ply from various locations. You can
> also book a taxi or cab from top car rental companies in Chikmagalur to
> reach the temple.
>
> By Air: Mangalore International Airport is 146 km away from the town.
> Alternatively, Bangalore International Airport is 248 km away. You can book
> a taxi or cab to reach the temple.
>
> Address of temple and office
>
> Shri Kodandaramachandra Swamy Temple Hiremagalur Chikmagalur – 577102
>
> *Kodandarama Devasthana Bangalore*
>
> Double Rd, Sampangi Rama Nagara, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560027.Contact Number
> 040
> 2225 3555
>
> Timings 7:30 am–8:30 pm
>
> Compiled and posted by R. Gopalakrishnan (former ITS 7024) on 21-09-2025
>
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