Sri Adikesava Swamy Temple (also called Ramanujar Temple)
Sriperumbudur is the Birthplace of a philosopher and proponent of the Visishtadvaita philosophy Sri Ramanujacharya. There is a Big Vishnu temple in Sriperumbudur. The temple deity is ‘Sri Adikesava Swamy’ who is known for his consideration towards the devotees who are in dire need of God’s blessings and he is to bless all the devotees.
Sriperumpudur
Sriperumbudur is in the district of Thirvallur of Tamilnadu State which is 40 Kilometers southwest of Chennai on the National Highway – 4. As the deity is ‘Sri Adikeshava Swamy’, this place is known as ‘Sriperumbudur‘.
Click here for the temple location on Google Maps
Sthalapurana
There was an interesting Sthalapurana about the temple and God. There was a Maharshi by the name of Kesava who is the devotee of Lord Mahavishnu. One day Maharshi reached this place and realized through his Sixth sense that, this place was apt for performing Penance.
He built an Ashram here worshipped Sri Mahavishnu and started Penance. One day Sri Mahavishnu pleased with his Penance, appeared before him and blessed Maharshi with a boon.
After seeing the Lord, Maharshi felt very happy and requested that God-
“I was pleased with your Darshan and what else I want”.
Pleased with Maharshi’s reply, Sri Mahavishnu realized the Bhakti towards him and he knew the desire of Maharshi and said-
“I was pleased with your devotion, and Lord blessed that, you can have my Darshan every day”
Mahavishnu turned into the deity form of Sri Adikeshava Swamy. The Maharshi Kesava installed the idol of Sri Adikeshava Swamy and performed Pujas daily during his lifetime.
Some Historical Evidences
It is known from the Historical Evidences that, the Temple was constructed during the 9th Century. Sri Ramanujacharya was born in 1017 AD and lived for 102 years. The kings of Chola and Pallavas built various parts of the temple. After that, the Kings of Vijayanagara renovated the temple. Sri Krishna Devaraya the king of the Vijayanagara Empire visited this temple and performed pujas.
Temple Description
In Sriperumbudur, Sri Adikesava Swamy temple is towards the west and it was built in a large area. The Mandapa is in the main entrance of the temple. The main Entrance has Raja Gopuram. The Raja Gopuram is consisting of Five Tiers at the top we can see Seven Gopura Kalasams. There are Balipeetham, Dwajasthambam and Garudalwar Mandapams in front of the main temple in temple premises.
4 Mandapas
The main Temple consists of four mandapas i.e. Mukhamandapa, Arthamandapa, Antarala and Garbhagruha. In Maha mandapa, there is a shrine of Sri Ramanujacharya. At the entrance of Antarala we can find the idols of two dwarapalakas namely Jaya and Vijaya. In main sanctum sanctorum, we find the idol of Sri Adikesava Swamy having four hands with Shank, Chakra, Gadha and Abhayahastam.
In temple premises, to the north side of the main temple, there is a separate temple for Deveri of Sri Adikesavaswamy. In this temple, we can see the Goddess of Sri Yetiraja Valli Ammavaru with four hands. In two hands we can see two Lotus flowers and in the other two hands, we can see Abhaya and Varada pose. In addition to the main deities, we can also see Sri Rama, Sri Anjaneya Swamy, Utsava Murthies, Sri Andal and Alwars, and Swami Manavala Mamuni.
There is a Pushkarini near the temple. It is believed that a dip in the pushkarini will cure all illnesses.
At the opposite of the Main temple, we can see the Birthplace of Sri Ramanujacharya. There is a large Mandapam built in his memory. In this Mandapam, we can see the idol of Sri Ramanujacharya. It is believed that, if meditated in this Mandapam one can excel in education and scientific temperament.
Sevas and Utsavams
In the temple, every day Suprabhata seva, Viswaroopa Darshana seva, Tomala Seva, Sahasra Naamaarchana and Ekanta seva are performed. There are weekly and monthly rituals performed in the temple. Annual Brahmotsavams will be celebrated in the month of Vaisakha Masam for nine days in a grand manner.
Various Vahana sevas and Radhotsavam will be performed to the god during Brahmotsavams. Sri Ramanujacharya Jayanthi is being performed on a grand scale every year. Vaikunta ekadasi and Dhanurmasa utsavas are being performed every year.
Sriperumbudur is situated 40 kilometres from Chennai, 16 kilometres from Thiruvalluru, and 30 kilometres from Kanchipuram. Transport facilities are available from the above places.
A visit to ‘Sriperumbudur’ generates peace and joy for the devotees.
