Nandhambakkam Sri Kothandaramar Temple - Chennai

Address

Nandhambakkam Sri Kothandaramar Temple – Chennai

Ramar Koil St, Nandambakkam,

Chennai district,

Tamil Nadu 600089

Moolavar

Srinivasa Perumal

Amman

Sri Alarmelmangai Thayar

Introduction

Kothandaramaswami Temple is located at Nandambakkam, a suburb of Chennai, India. Dedicated to Rama, the spot is associated with the legendary sage Bhrigu. Nandhambakkam is located on the Mount Poonamallee Road just about 2 kms from Guindy Kathipara junction of Chennai city. This temple is located just 100 meters from the main road on the opposite side of Chennai Trade Center.

Puranic Significance

The temple was built by the Prime Minister Sanjeevi Rayar of Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara kingdom about 750 years before. There are no inscriptions available and the mandapam pillars and ceiling are very old. The kings, initially, built shrines for Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. Later shrines were built for Srinivasa, Alwars, Hanuman, and other deities.

During that period, an ancient sage called Bringi Rishi was performing penance in this part of the country. He was doing penance from the hill nearby. The hill got its name as Bringi Malai (Bringi Hill) as sage Bringi was staying there for years. The name later corrupted to become Parangi Malai which is presently called as St. Thomas Mount.

Knowing that Sri Rama is passing through his place here, Bringi Rishi went and invited Sri Rama to stay with him for few days before proceeding. Sri Rama agreed to be the guest of Bringi Rishi and stayed here. Bringi Rishi created a small Nandhavanam (means garden) for the comfort of Sri Rama and the place came to be known as Nandhavanam itself, which later changed as Nandhambakkam. The neighboring place to Nandhambakkam is called Ramapuram, which is said to have got its name after Sri Rama’s stay here. This story of this place is said to be mentioned in the ‘Aaranya Kaandam’ of ‘Kamba Ramayanam’ (Ramayana written in Thamizh by ancient poet Kambar).

Beliefs

It is believed that those who worship at this temple will be cured of all diseases and blessed with peace & prosperity.

Special Features

Later, an ancient Vishnu devotee called Thirukkachi Nambi wished to construct a temple for Sri Rama at this place and made a small temple for the Lord. During Krishna Devaraaya’s Rule one of his territory heads called ‘Sanjeevi Raayar’ renovated this temple and made it bigger. Sri Rama here is seen along with Lakshmana, Bharatha and Chathrugna in Pattaabishega posture. Sri Sita Devi is seen sitting on Sri Rama’s lap and looks so beautiful. All are seen facing south. Sri Anjaneyar is seen facing the Lord towards north. In the same place, Sri Srinivasa Perumal is seen facing the east. There is a beautiful Nandhavanam (garden) outside the sanctum on the southern side. Sri Krishna is seen here as a child inside the garden. He is called Nandhavana Kannan here.

There is another shrine for Sri Anjaneyar (Sri Hanuman) on the prakaaram. Here Sri Anjaneyar is very tall in the standing posture. There is a beautiful temple pond opposite to this temple. This is called ‘Bringi Rishi Theertham’, which is very large in size and needs maintenance.