A dream that led to Devadanam
The temple of Lord Ranganatha ... getting the attention it needed
TAMIL NADU is a land that abounds in temples. For the hundreds that are well known, there are an equal number of temples that lie in total anonymity, despite their erstwhile grandeur. One such is the many-centuries-old Ranganatha temple in Devadanam village, Ponneri taluk, Tiruvallur. A good 90-minute drive from the city of Chennai takes us to this little village, beyond Minjur.
Saroja Sadasivam, from a leading business house here, had a vivid dream in 1983. She dreamt of a supine Ranganatha Swamy in a derelict temple, totally neglected, beseeching her for attention. The eighteen and a half feet stone idol, lying on a giant Adiseshan, was actually sweating copiously in her dream, telling her that it had had no oil application for very many years, and so could not bear the heat. From the very next day she began the search for this temple, and in the process, visited scores of them. Two years later, on a chance suggestion, she visited Devadanam, and found the then undeveloped village and temple to be the one in her vision. The deity was all covered in dirt, and the temple completely weed-ridden, and broken down. From then, till now, almost 20 years later, constant effort and a great deal of money has been spent, with the temple finally ready for Kumbabhishekham on May 23.
The Lord has a `padi' or measure under His head, almost like a pillow, with His right hand placed over it. This is to measure the returns from the huge acreage belonging to the temple, says the priest, giving a clear idea of the power enjoyed by this temple centuries ago. Brahma, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, along with Tumburu and Anjaneya complete the stone idols in the sanctum sanctorum. The Lord has a perfectly chiselled face, with flaring nostrils.
Ancient panchaloha utsavamurti idols include the Chakrathazhwar. Abishekham is done only for the small stone figure of Ranganatha, with the moolavar having `thaila kaapu' (anointment with oil). Vaikunta ekadesi is of special significance.
Small shrines house a beautiful Lakshmi (Ranganayaki) and a graceful standing Andal. A separate shrine for Chakrathazhwar is getting ready. The entrance houses Garuda, near the newly installed `Dwajasthambam,' which cost about Rs. 2 lakhs. According to an elderly village resident, about 60 years ago, this temple was popular with regular worship and festivals conducted. He recalls even `devadasis 'dancing on special days, both in procession and at the temple. It is said that the Brahmins here had been ill-treated and their homes burnt, leading to the consequent dereliction of the temple.
The time has now come for this deity, said to be one of the largest idols in Tamil Nadu, to be active again.
Text and photos by RUPA GOPAL
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