Karamadai Ranganathaswamy Temple- Coimbatore

Address

Coimbatore – Mettupalayam Road,

Karamadai,

Coimbatore district,

Tamil Nadu 641104

Moolavar

Ranganathaswamy

Amman

Lakshmi as Ranganayaki

Introduction

Location: Karamadai, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, on the Coimbatore – Mettuplayam highway, 23 km from Coimbatore.

Dedication: The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped as Ranganathaswamy, and his consort Lakshmi as Ranganayaki.

Architectural Style: Built in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple has a seven-tiered Rajagopuram and granite walls.

Historical Significance:

Believed to have been built during the Chola Empire in the 10th-11th centuries.
Expanded by Tirumalai Nayakar who built the walls, rajagopuram, and halls.
Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar built additional halls in the temple.
The northern temple tower was constructed in 1944, and the eastern tower in 2013.
Ramanuja, the Vaishnadvaita philosopher, is believed to have visited the temple.

Puranic Legend:

The place was originally a forest with Karai trees, inhabited by the Kottariyar tribe, who herded cattle.
A herdsman discovered blood coming from an anthill after his cow’s milk was mysteriously emptied into it, leading to the establishment of the temple.
Vishnu is believed to have appeared in the dream of Pitchu Mandarayar, confirming the deity as Vishnu.

Modern Legend: During British rule, a railway line was planned to bisect the temple, but divine intervention occurred in the form of a dream where Vishnu appeared to the General. This led to the cancellation of the plans, and the General gifted a festive image of a horse used during the procession.

Beliefs: Devotees pray for prosperity and wealth, perform Milk Abishekam (milk offering) to Lord Ranganathaswamy, and donate cows to the temple.

Temple Structure:

The temple occupies 1 acre and has a seven-tiered Rajagopuram with seven kalasams at the top.
The sanctum houses the face of Ranganathar; he is not depicted in the typical postures of standing, sitting, or reclining.
The Ardha Mandapa is guarded by two Dwarapalas.
The shrine of Soundaravalli is near the eastern gateway.
The Mahamandapa houses images of Vedanta Desikar, Manavala Maamunigal, Azhwars, and Ramanuja.
Separate shrines for Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman.