At the Eri-katha Sri Rama temple of Madurantakam near Chennai city of Tamil Nadu,the festival of Rama Navami is a special one. Of all the temple festivals there, Sri Rama Navami is annually held in a grand manner with countless tradition-bound rituals which make this place an interesting one. Apart, unlike other Rama temples god Hanuman is not present in this temple He was on his way to Ayodhya to inform Bhatata about the successful arrival of Rama and others. Yet another unique feature is this temple has two festival idols - one that of Sr Rama and the other is Karunakara perumal to be used for some ritualistic reasons.
On that holy day, one of the festival idols (Utchavars) is adored with eye-catching different alankarams that last almost the whole day. With Vishwaroopa Darshan, the long celebrations and relevant rituals commence with devotion. Sri Rama, with rapt attention listens to the 218 verses of Sankshepa Ramayana (first chapter of Valmiki Ramayana covering his various forms), presented by the temple's Therthakar (mostly Therthakar belongs to the hereditary line attached to this temple). This ritual will normally last for two hours. Following this is Ekantha Sevai (first ritual in the seva) at 11 am. Temple priests perform Thirumanjanam in the presence of a large gathering. After two hours, Therthakar will present Gadyam by Vedanta Desika (Venkatesa Kavi), illustrating Sri Rama's handsome look and personality.
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Roughly around 4 pm Sri Rama displays his third decoration Thiruabarna Alankaram along with Vairamudi (diamond studded headgear). The Avathara aradhana includes Vairamudi sevai and others. For about an hour the deity will enjoy the chaste verses from Thiru Mozhi Prabandham composed by Kulasekara Azhwar.
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Above Image: Eri-katha Ramar temple, Madurantakam, Tamil Nadu. Sri Rama Navami Alangaram (decoration). Vairamudi alankaram,,,,
Following this event, the hereditary therthakar and the temple priest will present Raghuveera Gadyam. In this work Vedanta Desika praises the valor and mastery of Sri Rama. Muthu Khondai alangam marks the culmination of the long-drawn rituals associated with Rama Navami.
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Above Image: Eri-katha Ramar temple, Madurantakam, Tamil Nadu. Sri Rama Navami Alangaram (decoration). Sankshepa Ramayana Parayanam,.......
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Rama landed here with Sita and Lakshmana to see Sage Vibandaka rishi (Father of sage Rishya Singar who with King Dasaratha did Putra Kameshti Yagam) after this Sri Rama and others were born.
Legend has it after slaying demon king Ravana of Lanka (Sri Lanka) Sri Rama and other stayed at Rameswaram to pay his respect to Ravana who was an ardent Shiva Bhakta), To make the story short, as requested by Vibandaka rishi who wanted Sri Rama to give him darshan along with Sita after his successful victory in Lanka.
Sri Rama gave the learned rishi his long cherished darshan in Kalyana Kolam with his hand holding that of Sita. Hence the moolavar (Kothanda Ramar) at Eri-katha Rama temple is in Kalyana kolam (in wedding posture).
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Above Image: Eri-katha Ramar temple, Madurantakam, Tamil Nadu.Acharya Sri Ramanujar was initiated with Pancha Samskaram here on the temple premises by acharya Periya Nambi centuries ago..........
On the third day of the festival, Karukara perumal idol is taken in a procession to Nayana Giri parvatham- the hillock where Sri Rama is said to have descended with his Pushpaka Vimana.
https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2014/04/rama-navami-eri-katha-rama-madurantakam.html
https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2008/11/madurantakam-eri-kaatha-raamar.html
https://hindugallery.com/eri-katha-ramar-temple-mathuranthakam
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