Friday, January 26, 2024

Ramar sannidhi existed in Chidambaram Natarajar temple (My talk in Galatta channel)

 In an interview to Galatta Channel, I spoke about Rama and his temples in Tamilnadu. In that context I quoted the Prabhandam verse of Kulashekara Alwar on Rama referring to the presence of Rama with Maruti (Hanuman) in that temple. This Prabhandam of ten verses enshrine the entire Valmiki Ramayana including the Uttara Kanda. The temple and its location was known as Chitrakootam in these verses and also in the inscriptions. 

Today there is the sannidhi of Govindaraja Swamy having the Moolavar on the bed of Adisesha and the Utsavar in standing position. Readers may recall the information about my book Ramanuja Itihasa in which the 12th chapter is about the removal of Govindaraja Swamy Sannidhi by Kulottunga -II and the transfer of the Utsava Murti to Tirupati. The Moolavar was thrown into the sea and not recovered till date. But the Utsavar was brought back by Achyuta Raya who built the sannidhi for Govindaraja in the same place in the Natarajar temple and re-consecrated the deity which can be read in this blog

A sannidhi for Rama also had existed when the Alwar visited the temple. It must have been removed by Kulottunga-II. I am talking these details in this interview and also about how the kshetra was Chitrakootam, in memory of Rama and how the Deekshitars arrived at that kshetra with Nataraja Swamy. I am putting forth a suggestion to consecrate Rama in Pattabhisheka appearance within this shrine as a way to get relief from the problems the Deekshitars are facing.



No comments: