Ranganathaswamy Temple Karamadai Coimbatore | Karamadai Aranganathaswami

Ranganathaswamy Temple Karamadai Coimbatore | Karamadai  Aranganathaswami

 

Karamadai Ranganathaswamy temple is located in Karamadai, At the distance of 23 km from Coimbatore,in the Coimbatore–Mettuplayam highway,Tamilnadu, India.

 

Ranganathaswamy temple is dedicated to Vishnu, is worshipped as Ranganathaswamy and his consort Lakshmi as Ranganayaki in this temple.This temple is considered one among the 108 divya desam temples.

 

Karamadai Name Reason :  The place was once a forest with Karai trees and Karai Cows .A tribe named Thottiyars inhabited the region, whose main profession was herding cattle. Thats why the name of the place now called karamadai .

 

Karamadai Ranganathaswamy Temple Sthala Puranam :

 

The sthala puranam of Sri Karamadai Ranganatha Temple is Garudan,  the vechile of lord vishnu desired to see His wedding with Mother Mahalakshmi and expressed his desire to the Lord.  The Lord graced the wedding dharshan on Earth to Garuda and chose this place also to stay on.

 

At the place to bless the local people. As time passed, the stone statue of the deity went underground and was covered by a dense forest full of Kara trees. A cowboy from the Thottiya community hailing from the Karamadai area noticed.

 

 That one of his cows often disappeared into a specific spot within the thick under growth. The cow is also believed to have shed her milk voluntarily at that spot. Intrigued by the act of the cow, the cowboy decided to uncover the thick bushes.

 

When he attempted to cut them, blood suddenly started oozing from the spot. The bewildered cowboy then found a stone, resembling a Lingam. The same night, Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared in the cowboy’s dream and had asked him to apply Chandana Kaapu (sandalwood paste) over the stone.

 

On applying the sandalwood paste, the cowboy found the stone to be the divine and graceful Lord Ranganathar. The only temple where the Lord was originally revealed in the Lingam form and later identified as a Lord Ranganathar. 

 

A temple was constructed for the Lord where shrines were also constructed for Shri Ranganayaki Thayar and Andal. The Lord graced them in the form of a Kshathirya (Warrior) . The scar of the axe is said to appear on the top portion of the Suymabu even to this day.

 

The unique feature of this temple is other Ranganatha Murthis, here one can have only the darshan of the face of the Lord.  Hence unlike the other Vishnu temples, the Utsava Murthy is not in front of the Moolavar in the sanctorum as it would hide the small Murthy of Moolavar.

 

Utsavar is kept in a separate shrine in front of the Moolavar.  The Lord is also believed to be growing in size over centuries.  The Lord is believed to be in three incarnations here- Venkatesa Achuthan, Venkatesa Perumal and Aranganathar. 

 

Originlly the shrine of the Thayar was in a nearby hill and hence She is called Bettathamman   (Amman on Hill in Kannada).

 

Karamadai Ranganathaswamy Temple Architecture :

 

Karamadai Ranganathaswamy temple had regarded as the second oldest temple in Coimbatore, The foremost Vishnu temple in Kongunadu.

 

Ranganathaswamy temple is constructed in the Tamil architecture. The temple occupies an area of 1 acre (0.40 ha) and is surrounded by granite walls. The seven tiered rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, has seven kalasam at the top.

 

Karamadai Ranganathaswamy temple  is original  build during the Chola ruler, Karikala Chozhan during the 10–11th centuries .Tirumalai Nayakar (1623–59 CE) expanded the temple during his regime and built the walls, rajagopuram and halls in the temple.

 

The Mysore King Krishnaraja Wodeyar(1940–1950) built a set of other halls in the temple. The northern temple tower was built during 1944, while the seven-tiered 80 ft (24 m) Eastern tower was built during 2013. Some of the old halls were also renovated during 2013.

 

Image of shrines in the Karamadai Ranganathar Temple :  

The sanctum houses the image of Ranganathaswamy, where the image is sported in standing, sitting and reclining posture, only the face of Ranganathar is seen in the temple.The Ardha mandapa is guarded by two Dvarapalas on either sides.

 

The shrine of Soundaravalli is located closed to the eastern gateway. There Mahamandapa houses the images of Vedanta Desikar, Manavala Mamunigal, Alvars, and Ramanuja. There are separate shrines for Rama housing Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman.

 

There are a number of smaller shrines and halls in the precincts of the temple. The temple showcases a sacred water pool known as the Brahma Theertham which is believed to be blessed by the Creator God that is Lord Brahma. Also, the temple has a sacred water pond named as Karuda Theertham.

 

The temple follows the Tenkalai tradition of worship. Four daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the fifteen-day annual Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Maasi (February–March), Vaikunta Ekadasi and Ramanuja Jayanti being the most prominent.

 

Karamadai Ranganathar Temple Sthala Tree :  Karai tree. 

 

Karamadai Ranganathar Temple Sthala Theertham :  There are several theerthams here- Brahma Theertham, Garuda Theertham and Ashta Theertham ( where there are eight Murthis in front of these eight theerthams .

 

Karamadai Ranganathar Temple Ramabanam : The unique feature of this temple is the Ramabanam kept in the sanctorum.  This is having the Ranganathar image on one side and the Sudarshana Chakram on the other side.  This is used to bless the devotees.

 

During the Masi festival, on the fifth day, it is taken in procession around the temple streets.  This is the only occasion when the Ramabanam is taken out of the temple. 

 

Ramanuja’s visit to Karamadai Ranganathar Temple :  Ramanuja have visited the temple on (1017–1137 CE), on his way from Srirangam to Thiru Narayanapuram (Melkote). 

 

Modern Time Railway Line :  A  British general was trying to build a railway line bisecting the temple .The people of the village prayed for divine intervention. It is believed that Vishnu appeared in the dream of the General, who later withdrew his plans to demolish the temple.

 

He also gifted a festive image of a horse to be used during the utsavar deity takes the street processions on this white horse.

 

Karamadai Ranganathar Temple Chariot function :  There are several functions in this temple, the most important one is the Chariot function held on the full moon day of Tamil month of Masi ( Feb-Mar ).

 

Till 20 years back, for this festival, special free train service used to be run from Coimbatore to Mettupalayam. There is a particular celebration called Kavala Seva which is done on the Chariot day. 

 

The devotees greet each other chanting the Lord’s name, offer prasadam made of sugar, fruit and honey, wash the feet of the Lord and hold lighted fire torches.

 

Karamadai Ranganathar Temple Pooja Timing :  

Ko Pooja – 5:45 am 

Kaalasanthi Pooja – 08:30 am 

Annathanam – 12:15 pm 

Utchi Kaala Thiruvaradhanam – 12:30 pm 

Raakaala Pooja – 08:00 pm 

Thiruvaradhanam – 08:30 pm

 

Karamadai Ranganathar Temple  Festivals  : 

Chithirai - Tamil New Year, Sri Ram Navami, Sri Ramanuja Jayanthi 

Vaikashi - Nammaalvar Thirunatchatram, Narashimma Jayanthi, Pattar Thirunatchatram 

Aani - Sri Chakkarathalvar Thirunatchatram 

Aadi - Thakshinaayanapunya Kaalam, Aandaal Thiruvaadipooram 

Purataashi - 5 Saturdays, 9 days navarathiri utchavam (Navarthri Festival ) 

Ipashi - Sanai Mudhaliyar Thirunatchatram, Manavaala maamunigan Thirunatchatram, Deepavali 

Karthigai - Thirumangai Aalvar Thirunatchatram, Thiru Karthigai Deepam 

Margazhi - 10 Days Utchavam, Vaikunda Aegathashi, 10 Nights Utchavam ( Vaikunda Ekadesi Festival ) 

Thai - Pongal, Kurathaalvar Thirunatchatram 

Maashi - Thiru Ther Festival (CAR festival) 12 Days 

Panguni - Sri Ranga Naachiyar Panguni Uthram

 

Best Time To Visit Karamadai Ranganathar Temple : Brahmmotsavam in Masi (February-March), Ramanuja Jayanthi, Vaikunda Ekadasi, and Navarathri have grandly celebrated festivals in the temple.

 

Karamadai Ranganathar Temple Address : Karamadai, Aranganathaswami temple, Sri Aranganathaswami Temple, Karamadai,Coimbatore - Mettupalayam NH Road, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India, Pincode - 641 104.

 

How to Reach Karamadai Ranganathar Temple :

 

By Road : Bus services are available from Coimbatore which is situated nearly 27 km away from the temple.

 

By Rail : coimbatore Railway Station is the Nearest Railway Station which is 16 km away ( Karamadai railway station is 7 kms from Mettupalayam towards Coimbatore).

 

By Air : Coimbatore Airport is the nearest Airport which is 20 km away.