Sri Erikatha Ramar Temple - Madhuranthakam

 

Eri Katha Ramar temple is located in the town of Madhuranthakam in the state of Tamilnadu.

The deity in the temple is 8 feet in height. Goddess Sita and Lakshmana are standing along with Lord Rama.

Lord Rama and Sita holding each other’s hands is a unique feature.

This temple has a 5 tier Rajagopuram. This temple was 1000 – 2000 years old.

It is one of the 108 Abhimana Kshetrams

The temple is also known by other names such as - Mathuranthaka Chaturvedi Mangalam, Vaikunda Varthanam, Thirumathurai, Thirumanthira Tirupathi, Karunagara Vilagam.

Thirumalisai Alvar attained siddhi (enlightenment) in this sthalam (place). Also, Sri Ramanujar was instructed by the Pancha Samskara Mantram at this place.

The Moolavar (presiding deity) of the temple is Rama, thus making this one of the oldest temples of Rama in South India.

During the British rule, in the year 1884, the lake used to overflow and the bunds used to give way. The area was flooded more frequently. Even after reinforcement, the bunds were giving way. The efforts taken by the collector of the district did not succeed. One day when the collector visited the temple, the archakas requested him to renovate the Thaayaar sannidhi. The collector told them that he would do the needful if the Thaayaar solved the problem concerning the lake and saved the people from the recurring risk of floods. Rainy season started, the lake was full then the collector was alerted that the bunds would give way any time. When the collector visited the lake late in the evening, he saw two young men holding bows in their hands. He also noted that their faces were radiant with 'Tejas'. He realized that they were none other than Ram and Lakshman. He fell at their feet and prayed that the bunds of the lake should never breach. From that minute onwards, the lake was intact despite heavy rains. The collector arranged for the renovating of the Thaayaar Sannidhi. Lord Sri Narayana, the sons of Lord Brahma wanted to know the ways and means of achieving salvation. Narayana gave them an image of himself in the shape of Karunakaramurti to meditate upon. He also told the place to meditate, which is Vibhandakasram in Bakularanyam, which is modern Madurantakam. In Krita Yuga, the sons of lord Brahma attained salvation by installing and worshipping Sri Karunakaramurti in the abode of the great sage Vibhandaka and attained salvation by worshipping him.

Lord Rama also visited Vibhandakasram and offered prayers to Karunakaramurti, while he was searching for Goddess Sita. When lord Rama was leaving, sage Vibhandaka asked lord Rama to visit the place while returning on his way back to Ayodhya. After the killing of Ravana, when Sri Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita were returning to Ayodhya, the Pushpaka Vimanam (divine flight) would not move when it reached Madurantakam. Then Goddess Sita reminded him, of the request of Sage Vibhandaka. Lord Rama by holding the hands of Goddess Sita got down the Pushpaka Vimanam (vehicle).

The major festival of the temple is the Rama Navami festival, which commemorates the birth of Rama. Ani Brahmostavam celebrated during the Tamil month of Aani (July - August) and Panchasamskaram festival to commemorate the sanctification of Ramanuja are other major festivals celebrated in the temple.

 

Temple Timings :

 

7.00 am to 12.00 pm

 

4.00 pm to 8.30 pm

 

Pooja Schedule :

 

7.30 am – Viswaroop Darshnam

8.00 am – Kalasandhi Pooja

11.30 am – Uchikala Pooja

6.00 pm – Sayaratchi Pooja

7.30 pm – Arthajamam Pooja

 

Vaikunta Ekadasi is an important festival celebrated in this temple.

 

How to reach the Temple

 

70 km from Chennai

 

50 kms from Kanchipuram

 

Nearby Temples :

 

Uthiramerur, Sri Balasubramanian Temple – 26 kms

Vallakottai, Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple – 51 kms

Kanchipuram, Sri Asthabhuja Perumal Temple – 52 kms

Kanchipuram, Sri Ekambareswarar Temple – 54 kms

Kanchipuram,Sri Kandaswamy Temple – 53 kms.