We were searching for older Rama temples. We identified the following:
1. Madurantagam - By Paarantaga
2. Thiruvallikeni Ramar sannidhi - Sung by Thirumangai Alwar
3. Thiruppullani - Darbasayana Ramar- refered by Thirumangai
4. Cheranmadevi - Ramaswamy temple, built by Rajendra.
5. Vadamadurai - Rama of Rajendra period.
We also saw 4 Rama temples mentioned in Inscriptions but lost forever.
1. Mnaimangalam -Thiruvayothidevar
2. Uthiramerur - Thiruvayothiprumanadigal
3. Alangudi - Ragavapperumanadigal
4. Ammangudi - Ramadevapperuman
I am very happy to inform you that -
There is a Rama temple belonging to Chola period still underworship though it had undergone many changes over time.
This place is called "Raman Koil"
This place had a big Rama temple in 1945. ASI had recorded the parts of 2 RRC inscriptions from the roof. They have not published the entire text but only the Gist in ARE 1944-45 ( No 20, 21)
Period RRC - RY last. Begins with the historical introduction. Records sale of land for providing offering.
This temple had shrunk and recently renovated.
according to locals there were another set of equally big Rama moortis kept aside in the temple.During renovation it was advised by pandits to keep them in the pond. Hence they dug a pit and kept them inside the pond. It seems another set of moortis pertaining to earlier period is also inside the pond.
Fortunately looks the images of old moortis are available with somebody in the village. I will get them and post.
Some villagers claim that both the current moorti and the one immersed are of the same period and one set was damaged at the time of making itself. They claim the current moolamoorthi is also very old. To me the current moorti seems to be very late. Vijay, Kathy madam - need help in fixing dates.
The hanuman moorti was originally outside and kept inside now.
Request members to tell the period of moola moorti.
What ever be the period of the moorti, the temple is the continuity of Chola period Ramar temple.
This village is 1Km away from the Senji panambakkam Railway station in Chennai Arakkonam route. By car - take the Tirupathi highway from Tiruvallore. fore Kadambathur Railway crossing take a right turn for 3 Kms in a mud road.
Dear Sir, There are 5 separate sannidhis in Thiruvallikeni. In that, the renganatha was sung by Mudal Alwar, ( think Bhudhat alwar) The other 4 are separately sung by Thirumangai.
Dear Vj, As i said - The old temple is lost to time and new modern one has come in it's place, The inscription is lost but forunately recorded. The moola moortis were also changed some times and the old one now safely under the lake.
But what matters is that - this temple is a continuity of a 1000 year old temple