Karamadai Ranganathaswamy Temple- Coimbatore

Address

Coimbatore – Mettupalayam Road,

Karamadai,

Coimbatore district,

Tamil Nadu 641104

Moolavar

Ranganathaswamy

Amman

Lakshmi as Ranganayaki

Introduction

Ranganathaswamy temple (also called Karamadai Temple) in Karamadai, a town panchayat in Coimbatore district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the god Vishnu. It is located 23 km from Coimbatore in the Coimbatore – Mettuplayam highway. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Ranganathaswamy and his consort Lakshmi as Ranganayaki in this temple. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Puranic Significance

The temple is originally believed to have been built during the Chola Empire during the 10-11th centuries. Tirumalai Nayakar expanded the temple during his regime and built the walls, rajagopuram and halls in the temple. Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar built a set of other halls in the temple. Ramanuja, the expounder of Vaishnadvaita philosophy is believed to have visited the temple on his way to Melkote from Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple. The northern temple tower was built during 1944, while the seven-tiered 80 ft (24 m) Eastern tower was built during 2013. Some of the old halls were also renovated during 2013.

As per legend, the place was once a forest with Karai trees. A tribe named Kottariyar inhabited the region, whose main profession was herding cattle. One day a herdsman found that his cow was not giving him any milk and emptied all its milk in an anthill. He dug up the anthill, but was astonished to see blood coming out of it. After spiritual advice of a priest named Vedavyasabhattar, a temple was erected around the anthill. People were unsure of whether the deity was Shiva or Vishnu, but Vishnu appeared in the dreams of Pitchu Mandarayar, one of the inhabitants.

As per a modern time legend, a British general was trying to build a railway line bisecting the temple. The people of the village prayed for divine intervention. It is believed that Vishnu appeared in the dream of the General, who later withdrew his plans to demolish the temple. He also gifted a festive image of a horse to be used during divine procession.

Beliefs

People pray for prosperity and wealth. They perform Milk Abishek to Lord and also donate cows to the temple.

Special Features

Ranganathaswamy temple is constructed in the Tamil architecture. The temple occupies an area of 1 acre (0.40 ha) and is surrounded by granite walls. The seven tiered rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, has seven kalasam at the top. Unlike the sanctum houses the image of Ranganathaswamy, where the image is sported in standing, sitting and reclining posture, only the face of Ranganathar is seen in the temple. The Ardha mandapa is guarded by two Dwarapalas on either side. The shrine of Soundaravalli is located closed to the eastern gateway. There Mahamandapa houses the images of Vedanta Desikar, Manavala Maamunigal, Azhwars and Ramanuja. There are separate shrines for Rama housing Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. There are a number of smaller shrines and halls in the precincts of the temple. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu