The Maha Samprokshanam of Arulmigu Shri Kodhandaramar Temple, located at Pudhiya Erumaivetti Palayam in Tiruvallur District.near Chennai, will be conducted in a grand and auspicious manner on February 8 (Thai 25) between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
In this sacred spiritual ceremony,
Sri Sadagopa Ramanuja Periya Jeeyar Swamigal of Tirumala–Tirupati and
Sri Govinda Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamigal of Tirumala–Tirupati
will participate and offer Mangalasasana.
This temple functions under the administration of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, and for the past five generations, daily poojas and rituals are being performed in accordance with tradition by the descendants of the Tirumala Ananthapillai lineage.
Arrangements for the Maha Samprokshanam are being carried out by
Fit Person / Assistant Commissioner Thiru M. Sivagnanam, Hereditary Priest Thiru R. Venkata Krishnan,
Executive Officer Thiru M. Madhavan,
the Tirumala Ananthapillai lineage, and the village residents, among others.
Among the various avatars assumed by Shriman Narayana, the Shri Rama Avatar is regarded as supreme. Among the sacred temples where Lord Rama has manifested in Archavatara, Mahishasura Marthanam, known today as Erumaivetti Palayam, stands as a very ancient shrine of great significance and distinction.
Situated on a hill with 74 steps along the banks of the Kosasthalai River, this temple houses Shri Rama, who is seated with Mother Seetha on His left lap, manifesting as a Salagrama stone deity, along with Younger Brother Shri Lakshmana and Shri Hanuman.
This sacred site, with a history dating back nearly 2,000 years, was once a dense forest under the control of the demon Mahishan. At that time, Sage Karkkeya, seeking to protect the people from the demon’s atrocities, performed intense penance on this hill, praying to Shriman Narayana.
Heeding this plea for deliverance, during the period of exile, Lord Rama arrived at this place along with Mother Seetha.
When Seetha Devi went to bathe in the nearby river,
the demon Mahishan, enchanted by her beauty, attempted to violate her.
Distressed by this, the Divine Mother appealed to Lord Rama. To calm her, Rama seated her on His left thigh, embraced her, and relieved her fear.
At that time, Lord Rama, who appeared unarmed like a sage,
took a blade of darbha grass from His hand, snapped its tip, and hurled it.
That seemingly insignificant blade of grass, by the power of Rama’s will,
transformed into four great divine Sakthis and destroyed Mahishan.
As Mahishan was slain, the place came to be known as “Mahisha Marthanam”,
and in Tamil, “Erumaivetti Palayam.”
After subduing those divine energies that destroyed Mahishan, Lord Rama commanded them to remain stationed in the four directions of the forest
as guardian deities to protect the people.
Accordingly, even today, Angala Parameswari, Kattukai Kaathamma,
Ponniyamman, and Moukaalamman,
the four goddesses, continue to safeguard this village.
Witnessing this rare and divine form of Lord Rama, Sage Karkkeya humbly requested, “May You reside here and bless Your devotees.” As per the sage’s wish, Lord Rama manifested there along with His wife Seetha Devi, brother Lakshmana and Hanuman.
In later times, under the guidance of Sage Karkkeya, Chola King Vikrama Chola had the idols sculpted from the rare Salagrama stone brought from Nepal, and constructed this temple.
The Salagrama stone deity possesses immeasurable spiritual power.
It is believed that if one sincerely chants the name “Rama”even once at this sacred site,
it yields the merit equivalent to several lakh prayers.
A special form of worship that grants desired boons involves
adorning the Lord with blue garments and offering blue conch flowers
on three full moon days (Pournamis).
Devotees humbly request everyone to participate in this Maha Samprokshanam,
worship the glorious Shri Kodhandarama
and receive divine blessings and prosperity in this very birth.