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SOUTH SUBURBS
NANDAMBAKKAM: Abounds in legend
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The temple for Lord Rama in Nandambakkam is one of the oldest in the city. The samprokshanam of the recently constructed rajagopuram is to be held on May 4.
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MANY PLACES in the Tamil country are associated with the Ramayana period and two of them — Thiruvanmiyur and Nandambakkam — form part of modern Chennai. Thiruvanmiyur is associated with Sage Valmiki, who wrote the Sanskrit Ramayana and is linked to the ancient Tamil Sangam period. Nandambakkam is the place where another sage, Bhringi, lived and did penance.
According to legend, Lord Rama on his way to Lanka, offered homage to Sage Bhringi, who was doing penance on a hill named after him. Sage Bhringi requested Lord Rama to stay with him. A garden was laid near the hill where Lord Rama spent his time, which came to be known as Nandavanam. This changed to Nandambakkam, in course of time.
The descendants of Vijayanagar rulers constructed a temple for Rama, Sita and Lakshmana, around 750 years ago, in the place where Lord Rama stayed. The original idols that the sage worshipped were installed in this temple. Shrines for Lord Srinivasa of Tirumala, Goddess Alarmelmangai Thayar, Nandavana Kannan, Ananda Anjaneyar, Azhwars and Acharyas were later installed and the temple became a big complex.
The special features of this temple are that it faces south and Sita is found sitting on Rama's lap. The temple is also called `Then Thirupathi of Thondai Mandalam'. The first samprokshanam was held in 1989 and the next 12 years later. In this period the Ananda Anjaneyar shirne was also constructed. To improve the temple and celebrate festivals, the Sri Srinivasa Sangam was formed. And later with public donations, a new Vasantha Mandapam was constructed with the idol of Sri Ranganatha. An eternal lamp burns in the mandapam with 288 ghee lamps around it. A flower garden with a mandapam has also been laid.
To the north of the Srinivasa Perumal shrine, is the Thirukkalyana Narayana Mandapam with images of Sri Kothandaramar, Sita and Lakshmana. Hanumath Jayanthi is celebrated on a grand scale and special darshan is arranged for devotees on all important occasions. Work on a five-tier rajagopuram, with seven kalasams, which was inaugurated last April has just been completed.
The height of this rajagopuram is about 67 feet. The samprokshanam for the rajagopuram and other recently constructed portions of the temple will take place on May 4.
Contact the Sri Srinivasa Sangam, 64/1, South Mada Street, Nandambakkam, ph. 22324257.
T. A. SRINIVASAN
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