This article is the fifth in the series of articles about the temples of Sri Rama ,which are older than Ayodhya Ram temple.
There are scores of Rama Temples in India, especially in South India,which are quite ancient and the time scale of these temples go beyond our known scale of Time. I am writing about such temples,which can be dated in our limited understanding of Time.For instance many temples, like Sri Rangam temple,Tamil Nadu is recorded in literature as older than Rama Avatar. There are I such temples. I am furnishing a list of Three temples which were in existence before 4025 BC. ( Citation. Sakkottai Krishnaswami Aiyangar (1911). Ancient India: Collected Essays on the Literary and Political History of Southern India. pp. 403–404. )This date is the birth date of Poigai Azhwar,a great Saint of Si Vaishnava system of Bhakti.I have selected these temples because the Murthis in these temples are praised by Poigai Azhwar in his work,which forms a part of Nalayira Divya Prabhandham,collection of Hymns addressed to Sri Vishnu.I have selected these temples because they have a Sanctum of Sri Rama.As the date of birth of Poigai Azhwar is 4025 BC,these temples should have existed before 4025 BC.
The Temples are,
Srirangam Renganatha Temple.Though the Presiding Deity is Sri Vishnu as Ranganatha,Sri Rama has a separate Sanctum.
Tirupati Balaji temple
Ulakalandha Perumal temple, Thirukkoilur.Sri Rama has a Sanctum here.
Ulakalandha Perumal temple ,Thirukkoilur.
Thirupathi Balaji temple.
Tirumala Rama idol is one of the deities in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh. While the temple is dedicated to worship of lord Vishnu as Venkateswara, it contains the idols of some of Vishnu’s other avatars: Rama and Krishna. The idol is usually accompanied by his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana. Tirupati Rama
Avatars of Vishnu are reported in all the four yugas,Aeons,Satya,Treta,Dwapara and Kaliyuga.
Of these Avatars only the Kalki Avatar is due towards the close of the present Kaliyug.
Kaliyug runs for 4,37,000 years.
We are now in Kali (3102 +2017 ) 5119.
Kaliyug started in 3102 BC..
Kolhapur Mahalaksmi, Padmavathy?
The Venkateswara of Thirupathi or Balaji is not mentioned as an Avatar that had taken place in the Satya, Treta .
So it should be assigned to Kaliyug.
Balaji Tirupati,Srivathsam is visible.
But the Kalki Avatar of Vishnu is slated towards the end of Kaliyug.
As we are in Kali 5119 , The Avatar of Venkateswara should have been after 3102 BC.
Does this information stand the test of History?
Mahalakshmi who was later to marry lord Venkateswara of Thirupathi ,as Padmavathy was from Kolhapur and she traveled to south, Andhra.
‘Lakshmi was angered by Vishnu’s action of placating Bhrigu who had kicked her place in Vishnu’s body and thus insulted her. She abandoned her heavenly abode and resided in Karavirapur (Kolhapur) on earth. After her departure, a forlorn Vishnu followed suit and took abode in an ant-hill under a tamarind tree, beside a pushkarini on the Venkata hill, meditating for the return of Lakshmi, without food or sleep…
A while later, a King named Akasa Raja who belonged to the Lunar race, came to rule over Tondamandalam. The childless Akasa Raja performed a sacrifice to gain an heir. As part of the sacrifice, he was ploughing the fields. The plough struck a lotus, which had an infant girl in it. Upon the advice of a divine voice that the girl would be a harbinger of fortune, the king adopted the girl and named her Padmavati, since she was found in a lotus (padma). The princess grew up into a beautiful maiden and was attended by a host of maids….. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venkateswara ).
This can be interpreted as the king from Kolhapur came to Thirumala with Mahalaksmi.
One may note that Kollamma worship was practiced in Kolhapur znd Yellamma worship is in Andhra Pradesh.
Now, Kolhapur region was ruled by Rashtrakuta/Shilhara Dynasty.
This information is corroborated by the conquest of Rajaraja cholan and Rejendra Cholan of the Kolhapur area as well in addition to the Thirumala Region.
The inscriptions found in the Thirumala temple walls confirm Tamil presence and these inscriptions also mention King Krishna Devaraya who was an ardent devotee of Venkateswara.
It may be worth mentioning that Vishnu was worshipped as Maayon or Thirumaal and the early Sangam works mention Thirumala as Vada Venkatam as the border…
‘Raja Raja Chola I (or Rajaraja Chola I) was a renowned king who ruled over the Chola kingdom of southern India between 985 and 1014 CE. During his reign, the Cholas expanded beyond South India with their domains stretching from Sri Lanka in the south to Kalinga in the north. Raja Raja Chola also launched several naval campaigns that resulted in the capture of the Malabar Coast as well as the Maldives and Sri Lanka..
Rajendra led Chola campaigns from 1002 CE. These include the conquest of the Rashtrakutas and the campaigns against the Western Chalukyas. He conquered the Chalukyan territories of Yedatore (a large part of the Raichur district between the Krishna and the Tungabhadra), Banavasi in the north-west of Mysore and capital Manyakheta. Rajendra erected a Siva temple at Bhatkal. In 1004 CE, he captured Talakad and overthrew the Western Ganga dynasty which had ruled over Mysore for almost 1000 years.[He also conquered Kollipakkai, located to the north of Hyderabad in present-day Telangana. An excerpt from an inscription in Tamil from Kolar states:’
The evidence of the Kolhapur connection to Thirumala is corroborated from different sources confirm thecso called legend.
Legend of Padmavathi .
Padmavathi legend is to be interpreted as an allegory for the movement of Mahalaksmi from Kolhapur to Thirupathi.
In as much as this is clarified the so called legend of Venkatewara must also be true as he is mzrried to Padmavathi.I am looking into historical sources of VenKateswara and shall write.
It is,with the present evidence,safe to postulate that Lord Venkateswara is not a myth but is history..
The sanctum of Thirupathi Venakateswara, Balaji contains the Idol of Lord Venkateswara and two more Idols of Srinivasa.
Such is the imposing and divine presence of Lord Balaji with His stunning looks, we often miss what else is present in His Sanctum!
Vishnu’s Discus.gif
There are three idols of Lord Balaji, Srinivasa.
They are,
replica of Sanctum Sanctorum(Garba Griha) of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple depicting SriDevi BhuDevi Sametha Malayappa Swamy-Left, Lord Venkateswara Main Deity(Dhruva beram)-Center, Bhoga Srinivasa-Center bottom, Ugra Srinivasa, Sita Lakshmana Sametha Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, Rukhmini- Right. Image credit wiki
1.Sri Bhoga Srinivasa,
2) Ugra Srinivasa,
Legend has it that fire broke out in the village destroying houses during Brahmotsavam at Tirumala in the 14th century A.D. When prayers were offered to the God, a@ vision appeared to a devotee with a message from Lord Srinivasa himself. With the change in times, the Ugra Srinivasa idol could no longer remain the processibon idol and a new idol would be found as utsava murti (Malayappa swami). The Ugra Srinivasa idol is no longer brought out of the temple after sunrise and it is believed that sunrays touching the idol would spark fire in the temple complex.
3) Koluvu Srinivasa,
4) Sri Malayappa,
5) Sri Krishna,
6)Srirama, Sita, Lakshmana and Sugreeva and
7) Sri Chakrattalvar. ‘
It is rare to find seven idols in a Garbha Gruha.
Three of Srinivasa are found.
Srinivasa is an Avatar of Vishnu.
Vishnu,though according to functions is Kshatria,because He protects like a father,the term Vishnu is from Jishnu,meaning one who supports,The Vishnu Purana is classified as Sattvic , not Rajasic as protection is the function of a King with Compassion,Kshama,the ability to forgive.
Yet in Thirupati we find Bhoga Srinivasa given the first place.
Bhoga means enjoyment.
In Srinivasa avatar ,His specific purpose has been to shower Kshama and Blessings and He enjoys it.
Hence Bhoga Srinivasa gets the priority.
Ugra,Srinivasa represents His aspect of unforgiving anger.
Many are not aware of this aspect of Lod Balaji,Srinivasa.
As much as He is known for His munificence,He does not forgive a forget a slight nor goes any of the dues to Him by the Devotees,uncollected.
If one has dues to Him ,like a vow taken to visit Thirupati or forgets to offer money if one has taken a vow to do so.
Normally the signal he is not pleased with you in fulfilling your vow to Him, is your getting inexplicable stomach ailments.
The solution is to fulfill your vow.
Then, as a Father He would ignore your omission and shower you with His Grace.
This,I have experienced personally and also from others.
These do not have any scientific or even religious explanation.
Period.
As to me ,if my issue is resolved it is more than enough, I do not waste my time how and why the problem is solved.
Not very rational,
Isn’t it?
That is way the things are.
‘Koluvu Srnivasa is Utsava Murthy.
I am researching into the presence of Rama,Sita,Sugreeva and Chakkarathalvar in the Sanctum.
They,in my opinion, have a historical connection.
Shall write.
‘
Bhoga Srinivasa Murti:
Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Idol is a true copy of the Dhruva Bera(Main Deity) except that the Sanku and Chakra are permanently fixed in the case of Bhoga Srinivasa. Sri Bhoga Srinivasa gets Abhishekam every morning unlike the Dhruva Bera to which Abhishekam is performed only on Fridays.
Ekanta Seva is performed to Sri Bhoga Srinivasa. During Ekanta Seva, Sri Bhoga Srinivasa is placed in a Silver Cradle in the Sayana Madapam and offered milk to Sri Bhoga Srinivasa. Sandalwood paste is also offered to him every night. Ekanta Seva is performed to Sri Bhoga Srinivasa for all months in a year except Dhanurmasam in which Ekanta Seva is performed to Sri Krishna.
This idol is made of Silver and was consecrated by the donar, the Pallava Queen, Samavai in 966A.D. The donor’s consecration is recorded in an Epigraph on the northern wall of the Temple Prakaram which is perhaps the earliest inscription in the temple.
Koluvu Srinivasa or Bali Bera:
Every day after the morning Thomala Seva, a darbar called Koluvu is held in the Tirumamani Mantapam where the deity is brought and is seated in a silver chair with a gold umbrella above him. This idol officiates for the main idol during this function and hence his name is Koluvu Srinivasa.
He is akin to the guardian deity and supervises the temple household, and keeps himself posted with all the affairs and revenue of the temple. The Panchangam or the Calendar of the day is also read out before Koluvu Srinivasa Every Day.
Sri Malayappa or Utsava Murthi:
The first mention of this deity under the name “Malai Kuniya Ninra Perumal” is found in an Epigraph about the year 1339AD. The idol is in a Standing Pose and is a replica of the Dhruva Bera(Main Deity). The two upper arms hold the Sanku and Chakra, the lower right arm is in the Varada hasta pose and the left arm in Katyavalambite pose. This image has a very rich treasury of precious gems and jewels made of Platinum and Gold.
The idol of Lord Malayappa is about three feet height and stands on a lotus pedestal on a platform about 14inch height. To right is the idol of Sridevi about 30inch height. Sridevi left hand is in the Kataka hasta pose, the right is in the Gajakarna pose. To left is the idol of Bhudevi which is in standind pose. Bhudevi left hand is in the Gajakarna pose, the right is in the Kataka hasta pose.
In the order of preferences the idols that represents the Dhruva Bera’
Description of Thirupathi Balaji’S Grabha Gruha is from the following link and quoted portions are from this source.
Temples where the shadow of the Murthi falls on the wall in the sanctum, where there is no source of Light.
The Idols change colors once in every one and a half hour,once in fourteen days.
Where Snakes perform pooja.
Crocodile guards the temple.
Where lord Subrahmanya idol sweats on the Kanda Sashti day.
Tirumala hill resembling the profile of the Presiding deity, Lord Venkateswara, Balaji.
and
The idol of Lord Balaji of Tirupati has a temperature of 110 F early in the Morning around 4.30 am when the Abhishekam is perfomed and He sweats!
‘The idol of the Balaji always maintains a temperature of around 110*F. The Thirumala Hills is in cold climate at a height of about 3000 feet. ABHISHEGAM(sacred bath) is done early in the morning around 4.30AM to the idol with Cold Water,Cold Milk as well as other DRAVYAMS. But immediately after the sacred bath fine particles of water,appear on the body of the idol just like sweating.The ARCHAKAS,PUROHITS, gently swap the sweating by pressing a silken cloth on the body of the idol.On allThursdays, when the ornaments put on the idol of Balaji are removed just before the commencement of the sacred bath they are found to be very warm.’
I cross checked the information with the traditional archakas who perform this ritual to Lord Balaji at Tirupati.
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