I had visited this temple last year after visting the Avaniyapuram Narashimha temple. This is one of the biggest and ancient temple near Vandavasi. It has a very tall gopuram entrance and a small gopuram inside prakaram,  again a big prakaram, pillers with carvings of various deities, small hanuman sannidi, beautiful mandapam…A rare Sri Ramar temple with Rama sitting in yoga position. Gigantic Dwarapalakas are amazing to see  the beauty of statuette . 

NEDUNGUNAM YOGA RAMAR TEMPLE

Click here to see the snaps 

Article in Hindu by Sri . R. S. RAGHAVAN

 After Vibhishana Pattabhishekam in Sri Lanka, Rama is returning to Ayodhya along with Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and other varanas. He notices on the banks of the Kaliyar, Sukha Brahman, a saint in the form of a parrot, offering prayers to Him. The Lord alights from His chariot and just stands before the saint whose joy knows no bounds. The place where Sri Rama blessed the saint came to be known as Nedungunam, meaning noble quality. Although He was in a hurry to go to Ayodhya to save Bharata, Rama did not fail to pay heed to the prayers of a devotee.

Inside the temple Garuda and dwarapalakas reflect artistic excellence. In the sanctum santorum, we are greeted by Lord Rama in sitting position with chin mudra, Sita on his left which is a unique feature. Without His much celebrated Kothandam, He is santha murthi, a rare form. To his right stands Sri Lakshmana. Here Rama assumes the role of Guru, as Anjaneya the greatest devotee is seated listening to his Lord in rapt attention. Here Rama is known as Vijaya Raghavan, thereby signifying Rama’s victory over Ravana. The utsava murtis (two) are holding chakra and conch in their upper hands with the lower right hand showing the abhaya mudra.

 

Vaikanasa the preceptor of Vaikanasa agama is seen with four disciples in a corner. There are two idols of Anjaneya one of which was found in a nearby hill.

Travel information.

Nedungunam is located between Vandavasi to polur road.  Direct buses from Chennai available or reach Vandavasi and catch the bus towards Polur and getdown at 25th Km and  from Chennai its 140th Km.  Bus route from chennai 104 (i think Polur) and 148 Chennai to Vandavasi from CMBT or Tambaram.

Photos & Writeup © Ramesha J S