Sri Vrudhikeshwarar Temple, Unamancheri, Tambaram

 

 

 

Moolavar:Sri Vrudhikeshwarar
Amman: Sri Vridhambikai

A beautiful temple built during the period of Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagara empire 16th century located in Unamancheri a small village located near Tambaram.

As per the legend, a physically challenged king visited the Ramar temple of this village which is hardly at a distance of about 200-300 meters from the Vrudhikeshwarar temple, and, he got rid of his limp with the blessing of the deity. Hence, the village is called as Unamancheri (the Tamil word Unam refers to limp here).

The Shiva temple is facing east and has a huge lingam in the sanctum by the name Sri.Vrudhikeshwarar Ambal Sri Vridhambikai is facing south and both sanctums are in the inner prakaram connected by a maha mandapam. The pillars in the maha mandapam have many interesting sculptures. At the entrance of this entrance, the murthies of Ganesh and Subramanya along with Valli-Devasena are found. The entry to the tenple is from the south side. Nandi mandap and bali peedam are towards the east and there is no Dhwajasthambam found here. Signifying that no major Brahmotsavam happens in this place.

On the ghostam you can see Nardana Ganapati, Dakshinamurit, Vishnu, Brahma and Vishnu  Durgai. All these murthies seems to installed in later years as  they do not seem to belong to the original period. Lord Bhairav and Navagrahas along with their respective vaahans are also found in this temple.

You can see the fish and snake symbol on the roof representing that this is parihara sthalam and the fish representing that Pandya rulers have constructed this much before the Vijayanagar empire.

Now coming to the Ramar temple which was built by by Achyuta Raya, the brother of the famous Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagar Kingdom, Although it is not rare, it is not common to find all the four brothers together in a single shrine. Rama is found in the form of Kothanda Rama. Rama has Sita on his right side and his brother Lakshman on his left side. Bharat and Shatrughna are found in either corners with their hands folded and placed towards their chest (namaskar posture).

In the sanctum, Hanuman is also found. He is found at a corner and faces towards Ram.

A must visit ancient temples in Unamancheri which truly shows that Shaivam and Vaishnavam coexisted in the same era.

Contact: The temple manager Lakshmanan can be reached at 9444813816 and Kurukal Naganathan can be reached at 8608784974.

The temple is opened by 7 am.

Location:
Sri Vrudhikeshwarar Temple, Unamancheri, Tambaram