Venkattampettai Sri AnanthaSayana Ramar and Venugopalaswamy Temple , Cuddalore

Address

Venkattampettai Sri AnanthaSayana Ramar and Venugopalaswamy Temple ,Vengadampettai, Kurinjipadi, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu- 607302 Phone : 94434 34024 ; 97500 28259

Diety

Venugopalaswamy Amman: Sri Andal

Introduction

Location: Venkattampettai, around 14 km east of Neyveli Township, 35 km southwest of Cuddalore (near Kurinjipadi), Tamil Nadu, India.
Historical Context: The temple’s roots trace back to the 15th century during the reign of Venkatapathy Nayakkar (1464-1478). It was later gifted to Anandarangam Pillai of Puducherry by French rulers. The place was named Venkatapuri in honor of Tirupati and later renamed Venkattampettai in honor of a princess who contributed to its renovation.

Puranic Significance

Deity Representation:
- Lord Sri Rama: Appears in His reclining form on Adisesha, with Mother Sita at His feet and Sri Anjaneya ready for His mission.
- The temple is unique as it is one of the rare temples where Lord Rama is depicted in a reclining posture, unlike the usual standing posture.
Legend:
- The renovation of the temple was halted when an idol of Rama was accidentally buried. A chieftain’s daughter, Venkadamma, completed the renovation and installed the deity.
- The temple also features the Mohini idol, representing Vishnu’s Mohini incarnation, in a nearby Vishnu temple in Pachapalayam.
- The temple embodies the stories of the three Yugas: Treta Yuga (Rama), Dwapara Yuga (Krishna), and Kali Yuga (current era).

Beliefs

Devotee Practices:
- Perform abishek (ritual bathing) to Lord Rama and Mother Sita.
- Offer vastras (clothing) and pray for favorable verdicts in court cases, mental peace, and blessings for marriage and children.

Special Features

Temple Architecture:
- Sprawling granite stone temple, dimensions: 236 x 129 feet.
- Features a 7-stage Rajagopuram (temple tower), a 50-foot high granite stone Unjal mandapam (swing hall), and a stand for the temple car.
- The temple complex spans over one acre, with the Theertham (sacred water body) about 1 km from the temple, showcasing the temple’s grandeur.
Deity Posture:
- Lord Sri Rama is depicted in a reclining posture (Sayana Kolam), which is rare compared to the standing posture seen in other temples.
- The deity is about 18 feet long, reclining on Adisesha, with Goddess Sita in a sitting posture. The beauty of Lord Rama’s face is compared to Lord Ranganatha.