Unamancheri Sri Kothandaramar Temple (Ramar Temple) – Chengalpattu

Address

172, Indira Gandhi Street,

Unamancheri,

Chengalpattu district,

Tamil Nadu 600048

Moolavar

Sri Kothanda ramar

Amman

Sri Sita.

Introduction

Sri Kothandaramar temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu, located in the Unamancheri, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu. Unamanchri was a part of Shiva and Vishnu temples west and east side of GST Road from Old Perungalathur to Chettipunyam. Here the presiding deity is called as Sri Kothanda Ramar and Mother is called as Sri Sita.

Puranic Significance

As per purana this place was called as Unam Maikkum Cholai. The same has corrupted to the present name of Unamancheri. It is believed that the temple is more than 1000 years old. There is no evidence to prove its antiquity. From the style of the structures the temple belongs to 15th to 16th century Vijayanagara period (May be reconstructed). From the bas relief Vijayanagara Dynasty’s emblem of boar, dragger, Sun and Moon, on the Ardha mandapam wall, it is clear indicates that ardha mandapa and Mukha mandapam was built during Vijayanagara period.

As per the legend, The Vijayanagara King Krishna Devaraya’s Brother Achyuta Deva Raya was born with disability / handicapped. Ramar came in his dream and asked him to come to this temple and offer his prayer. So Achyuta Deva Raya came to this place, created the temple tank and worshiped Lord Rama and Sita. After some time he was cured from his disability. Hence as a part of thanks giving, Achyuta Deva Raya, extended the temple with ardha mandapam, Mukha mandapam etc, Hence this place is called as Unam + Maikkum + Cholai People with disability worships Rama to get cured and people prays for Child boon. People applied turmeric powder on Kalinga Narthanar and pray for child boon.

The temple is facing east with Garuda / Deepa Sthambam, Balipeedam and Garudan. The temple tank is on the back side of the temple. Mahavishnu in sayana posture is on the top of the sanctum sanctorum entrance instead of Gajalakshmi. In Sanctum sanctorum Ramar is Pattabhisheka posture, Sita is on the right side of Ramar and Lakshmanan is on the left side. Bharathan, Sathrukkan (both are in Anjali hastam) and Hanuman are also in the sanctum. The Hanuman is with faces on the front and back. (It was told that during Pattabhishekam, Ramar asked to show his face to Visitors / Guests who attends also. Hence he has the face on the back side also). The Utsavar Kothanda Ramar has 9 moles on his body which was shown by Bhattacharya.

Special Features

Stucco images of Ramar with Sita and Laskhmanan are on the top of the front mandapam. The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. A single tier Nagara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. There is no Koshtam around the sanctum sanctorum. Since the floor is concreted around the sanctum sanctorum, the style / type of adhisthana is not known.

The Pillars has the bas reliefs of Donors, Kalinga Narthanar, Clowns, Floral designs, animals, Hanuman, Lady warrior, Rishis, Peacock with snake, Garudan, lotus medallions etc,. The inner ardha mandapam ceiling has the bas relief of Solar / Lunar eclipse of Snake swallowing Sun / Moon, fish, crane lizard, birds etc,.