There are a few Hindu temples dedicated to Shivite, Vaishnavite and Amman deities in Pappanklam. An old temple for Lord Rama known as Sri Ramaswamy Temple is located in the midst of the village. As per culvert inscriptions this temple dates back to 12th century and was built by Pandiya King Maravarman I.
The Sthala Purana indicates that Sri Ramabhiran while searching for his wife Sitadevi, came to Pappankulam in South Tamilnadu. He was standing on a rock in the river Gadana nadhi and was to wage a war with hunter Sambagan who was hiding there. At that time, Lord Siva appeared in the form of a Jothi (fire) at Madavarvilagam and indirectly helped Sri Rama to locate the hunter where he is hiding. Rama recognised this indication from Lord Shiva. Sri Rama called Lord Shiva as 'Karutheesar' since Lord Shiva indirectly helped him in his fight with hunter Sambagan. One can see even today, Sri Rama's foot prints and the chakkra (wheel) got engraved on the same rock at the gadana river on which Sri Rama stood and this rock is being called as 'சக்கரப்பாறை'. The place where Sri Rama took shelter under a tamarind tree on the banks of the gadana river is the location of the present temple.
This temple has no Gopura at the entrance but has other details required for a Hindu temple viz. dwajasthamba, bali peeda etc. On entering the temple, one can see the dwajasthampa, bali peeda and the Garuda sannadhi facing the main deity Lord Rama. A long Mandapa or hall pillared on either side with beautiful stone carvings of different images of Yazhis and Anjaneya. These images were of traditional stucco images painted in beautiful and attractive vivid colors to with stand longer life in its beauty from natural deterioration. (Stucco is a material made of an aggregate, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as decorative coating for walls and ceilings and as a sculptural and artistic material in architecture.).
The paintings are also drawn using special herbals. Inside the temple precincts, some of the scenaries of 108 Divya Desams, different manifestations of Lord Vishnu, images of Alwars drawn during Pandya kings can be seen. After Pandya dynasty, during Nayakars rule, these paintings were preserved with much more care and made it an Art Gallery.
The entrance to the temple with no Gopura
The long hall (Mandapa)
As per details available, the Maha Samprokshanam (Kumbhabhishekam) for this temple was performed some 200 years back. Hence it was decided to perform Maha Samprokshanam for this temple without any more delay. The Tirupani Committee constituted for this mega event decided to perform Maha Samprokshanam for the temple on 29th May 2015 and invitations were distributed.
The entire temple has undergone a see-through change, thoroughly renovated, looked more beautiful and clean, created a very Divinely admosphere to the devotees.
| The mandap after renovation |
TTheThehe main deities for Sri Rama, Sitadevi, Lakshman and Anjaneya and Alwars were adorned with stucco paintings with vivid colors.
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| ஸ்ரீ கருடன் சன்னதி |
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| ஸ்ரீ நவநீத கிருஷ்ணன் சன்னதி |
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| ஸ்ரீ அழ்வார்கள் |
The Vahanas used for taking the deities in procession around the village during festival time were neatly cleaned and polished and wore a shining look as if it were made of gold.
Huge pandals erected in front of the temple, inside the temple for yaga sala and they were beautifully decorated with vivid colorful creations and attracted everybody.
Pandal at Yaga Sala...
Police bandhobast arrangements were made for the gathered devotees to have a peaceful darshan of Lord Rama during this grand event.
The entire village wore a festive look and the devotees throng the temple non stop on these days. Pappankulam nativity devotees who are settled in far away places gathered in large numbers to participate in this particular mega temple festival and one can visualise how they are dedicated to their nativity in times when great things are happening there. Elaborate accommodations and food arrangements (Anna dhanams) were made throughout the festival days for the devotees. Local residents also accommodated the guests who have come to participate in the festivities, in their homes.
On the previous two days night of the Kumbhabhishekam day, Velukkudi U.V. Sri Krishnan Swamy did a Upanyasam on Ramayana - Sundara Kandam in praise of Lord Sri Rama. Large gathering of devotees witnessed the Upanyasam very attentively and sought the Blessings of Sri Rama.
On the Kumbhabhishekam day morning, the Head priest and other prime sevaks carrying the sacred water in kalasams went to the upper deck of the temple to offer vedic poojas before Maha Samprokshanam.
The main deities with full pomp and gaiety alankars made of beautiful and colorful garlands were taken round inside the temple with chanting of vedic hymns and mangala vadhyams performing kirthanaas.
It was a great boon for the devotees to have darshan of Tirumala Tirupati Brahamyedhyadhi Ilaya Kovil Kelvi Appan Govinda Ramanuja Sri Jeer II on whose benign presence the Maha Samprokshanam was performed.
After performing Maha Samprokshanam, poojas were conducted at the yaha sala and poorna ahuthi was taken, acknowledging thereby the festivities nearing to a successful finish.
Extensive festivities coverages were carried out by the media - local news paper and prominent TV channels viz. Sri Sankara TV and SVBC.
On the day's evening, Garuda Seva was performed for Lord Rama in a very grand manner. The deity was beautifully decorated with different kind of flowers and garlands ready to take around in procession along the streets of Pappankulam in the midst playing nagaswarams, drum beats and chanting of vedic hymns. It was such a beautiful darshan for all those who were present there at that time to have a glimpse of Lord Rama bedecked in a Garuda Vahana and this divine sight cannot be erased from the minds of the devotees that easily and will linger in their memory forever.
Last but not the least, it is worth mentioning here that The Kumbhabhisheka Tiruppani Committee comprising of great men, philanthropists, devotees, sevaks who are the nativities of Pappankulam have done a tremendous service in meticulously planning the activities, discussing it with other members, sourcing the fund, following up the activities at the site with the facilitators to finish the task on time etc. without whose cooperation it would have been difficult to make it very successful.
"Shree-rama rama rameti
rame raame mano-rame
Saha-sranaama tat tulyam
raama-naama varaa-nane
Shree-rama rama rameti
rame raame mano-rame
Saha-sranaama tat tulyam
raama-naama varaa-nane
Shree-rama rama rameti
rame raame mano-rame
Saha-sranaama tat tulyam
raama-naama varaa-nane
Sree Raama-naama varaa-nana om nama iti
This Rama mantra is a portion taken from Vishnu sahasra nama stotra itself. Keep chanting this mantra. Uttering the name Rama once is equal to reciting the whole of Vishnu Sahasranama stotra.
இன்னும் தொடரும்.........
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| வணக்கம் |
