Kothandaramar Chengalpet

Kothandaramar, Chengalpet

Vaishnavite Temples, Chengalpet Taluk

God

Kothandaramar, facing east

Goddess

Perundevithaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Dwarapalakas – Jayan, Vijayan. Garudan, Veera Anjaneya, Vinayaka, Naagar, Aandal, Venugopala with Rukmini & Sathyabhama, Varadar, Acharyas, Azhwars

Kothandaramar Chengalpet is a large and ancient east facing temple with a single large and spacious Prakaram The temple has a entrance gateway in the east. The presiding deity here is actually Varadaraja Perumal with his consorts, who are in a separate sanctum facing south. Lord Rama is seen sitting in a pedestal with Sita and Lakshmana standing by his sides. He is seen blessing Anjaneya with wisdom and realization. Also seated are Bharata and Shatrughana, brothers of Rama. Veera Anjaneya is unique here as he is seen subduing and holding Lord Saneeswara below him. He is seen standing with one hand blessing and the other one on his hip with a Lotus flower. An ornament gifted to the presiding deity during the golden jubilee of Her Majesty, the Queen of England adorns him. A temple tank is present north of the temple.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Pachai Kulam (Temple Tank)

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

The original temple of Varadaraja Perumal was built in 1041 CE. During armed invasions the deity of Pattabhi Rama temple located in the fort area was shifted here in 1768 by Thimmaraja Zamindar, the father of Chengalvarayan after whom Chengalpet was named. The temple later came to be known as Kothandaramar Chengalpet.

Legend

Saneeswara who was about to influence and control the life of Anjaneya for 7 and half years was requested by him to wait a while as he was on Lord Rama’s duty of building the bridge to Lanka. Upon his insistence he gave Saneewara place on top of his head and told him he could also assist Lord Rama by carrying stones on his head. Saneeswara found this a torment as he was sandwiched between the stone on Anjaneya’s head and his own. He requested space in his leg and Anjaneya thus subdued him by giving him the requested space and placing him under his feet. This is the reason for his name as ‘Sani Bhagawanai Adakkiya Veera Anjaneyar’ at Kothandaramar Chengalpet.

Directions

Kothandaramar Chengalpet is about 1.3 kilometers south west of Chengalpet Junction Railway Station.

Stay and Food

Chingleput has good options for food and stay.

Vaishnavite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples