Sri Ramanaadheswarar Temple is a Shiva Temple in the Porur area of Chennai. Legends claim the presiding deity was installed and worshiped by Rama, and hence, he is called Ramanaadheswarar. His consort is Goddess Sivakami Sundari.
This Temple is also famous as a Guru Sthalam, where devotees worship Shiva himself as the powerful planetary lord Guru.
Sri Ramanaadheswarar Temple Legend
This Temple, as the name suggests, is closely associated with Rama and the epic Ramayana.
According to mythology, once, this place was a forest where Rama rested under an Amla tree (Indian gooseberry) while going in search of his lost wife, Sita. Unaware that a Shiva Lingam was there under the ground, his foot happened to touch the Lingam’s head. Though unintentional, it was still a sacrilege which inflicted an affliction on Rama.
Realizing what happened and understanding the gravity of his act, Rama atoned for it with a 48-day severe penance, during which he survived only on 1 Amla fruit. Pleased with Rama’s devotion and penance, Shiva emerged from the earth in his stupendous Vishwaroopa form along with his consort Parvati and blessed Rama with the success of his endeavor.
Overwhelmed by Shiva’s Darshan and blessings, Rama took him as his Guru, installed the Lingam there itself as Ramanatha or Ramanaadheeswarar, and worshiped him with reverence. Rama is also said to have received Shiva’s guidance on Sita’s whereabouts and how to get there and accordingly proceeded towards Lanka to get her back.
The famous Shiva Temple of Rameshwaram is celebrated as the place where Rama worshiped Shiva. As Rama did Shiva worship here also, this Temple is revered as Uttara Rameshwaram, the Rameshwaram of the North. (Porur in Chennai lies to the north of Rameshwaram Island). Holy texts consider this Temple as holy as Rameshwaram and say that those who are unable to visit Rameshwaram can pray to the Lord here and receive equivalent blessings. There are also claims that this Porur itself was called Uttara Rameshwaram in the olden days.
It is also said that it was here that Rama received Shiva’s guidance, and accordingly, he went to Lanka, where Sita was kept imprisoned, fought a war with Ravana, and got her back. Hence, this place became Porur (the Tamil word ‘Por’ means War), from where Rama went to wage a war.
Further, Rama worshiped Shiva here as his Guru, so people started regarding it as the holy place of the Guru, or Guru Sthalam. Guru is also one of the highly influential Navagraha, the nine planets. So, this temple is also revered as the abode of planetary lord Jupiter (Guru) and is counted among the Navagraha Temples in and around Chennai. Here, devotees worship Shiva himself as Guru Bhagavan.
Temple History and Architecture
According to historical accounts and beliefs, the Chola King Kulothunga II built Sri Ramanaadheswarar Temple; some also think this ancient structure was erected in 700 CE. This East-facing Temple has a 5-tiered Rajagopuram, the entrance tower. Inside, we can see the Bali Peetam, the raised platform for offerings like rice and water, and Nandi, the bull mount in the main hall, Maha Mandapam. The sanctum is in the Thoongaanai Maadam style of the Cholas, with a Gajaprashta Vimana (tower) and has 2 Dwarapalakas, the guards at the entrance.
The presiding deity, Ramanaadheswarar, is in the sanctum in the form of a large Siva Lingam. He is regarded as Swayambu, a non-man-made, self-manifested idol. Near the Lingam, we also find a big Trishul, Shiva’s mighty trident weapon. His consort is Goddess Sivakami Sundari, housed in a separate south-facing shrine. She has 4 arms and is standing.
While the fierce Shiva aspect Kala Bhairavar is in a separate shrine, we can also worship Ganesha as Santhana Vijaya Ganapati, Muruga as Subramanya with consorts Valli and Deivanai, Saneeshwarar, planet Saturn, and Chandikeswarar in the Temple premises. There are also images of Brahma, Vishnu, Durga, Dakshinamoorthy, and Ganesha in the niche around the sanctum.
We see Navagraha, the 9 planetary lords, with their consorts here, which is uncommon. Though this Temple is a Guru Sthalam, Guru is not worshiped in a separate shrine and only forms part of the Navagraha. This is because the presiding deity Shiva himself is revered as Guru here.
As it was Rama, considered a Vishnu Avatar who consecrated and worshiped Shiva here, we find many Divine images and symbols in this Shiva Temple and the tower, usually found only in Vishnu Temples. They also offer Theertham, the holy water, and Shataari, which carry the impression of Vishnu’s feet to the devotees, a practice exclusive to the Vishnu Temples. They have also installed Rama Padam, Rama’s footprints here. Brahma worship is rare in Temples, but we can revere him under the holy Neem tree here.
Amla and Neem trees are regarded as Sacred here.
Festivals and Benefits of Worship
The Temple celebrates Maha Shivaratri, an occasion highly sacred for Shiva worship, with much devotion and enthusiasm. Karthigai Somavaram, Pradosham, Panguni Uthiram, Navaratri, and Guru Peyarchi (planet Jupiter transit) are some other occasions observed with piety here.
Praying to the Lord and Goddess here is believed to bestow their blessings for welfare. People also offer special prayers here to mitigate the adverse effects of Guru’s affliction. They perform Guru Dosha Nivarana Pooja, which devotees believe can protect them from any ill effects and earn Guru’s grace.
