Ramaswamy Temple

Cheranmahadevi

Ramaswamy temple is located close to the main road (Kalakaadu-Cheranmahadevi road proceeding further north through the Tamirabarani river bridge).  The landmark is the Cheranmahadevi Panchayat Office, which is located directly across. It is a small but old temple.  The absence of a gopuram at the entrance (a common feature in many of the temples visited) suggested that it may be an old temple.  At the entrance to the temple, a beautiful statue of Ramar hugging Hanuman on one of the pillars greets you! The presiding deity is Athinarayanar (“Moolavar” in the “Nindra Thirukolam” or standing posture) with Rama as the Uthsavar or mobile-lord.  The vimanam is “Ashtangam” (being present in Uthiramerur, Mannar Koil, Koodalazhagar, Thirukozhtiyoor, Parameswaravinnagaram or Vaikuntanathar Koil in Kanchipuram, Thiruneermalai, Aadhivaragar Temple in Kallidaikurichi, Ashtalakshmi Temple in Besant Nagar of Chennai). Athinarayanar is in “amarntha” or sitting posture at one level above ground and in “kidantha thirukolam” or reclined form in the second level above ground. In all the three levels, “moolavar” idol is “Suthai” or “stucco” indicating clearly that the temple is probably from a very early time-period when “Suthai” was the basic form on which idols were sculpted.  We reached the temple in the evening and the sun had started to set on the western horizon.  The first level of the temple can be accessed through steps located outside the temple and starting from the garden.  While these steps were relatively easy to climb (for us), it was not so from the first level to the second level (seniors may take note). To reach the second stage the steps were steep and non-uniform in height from one step to another and the knees can take a beating.  The view of the surrounding from the second level was not so special that it was worth the effort associated with climbing. There is a separate Sannidhi for Vedanarayanar in the “amarntha thirukkolam” outside the main sanctum.  This temple has a functioning Nandavanam. This temple can be reached from Tirunelveli by bus or private taxi. It is approximately 25km from Tirunelveli. Best visited during morning Puja hours.