Erode:

Erode, a town with a rich historical background currently serves as a district headquarters. Historically, it was a part of the Cera kingdom around 850 AD, having seen significant transformations over the centuries at the behest of various rulers.

During the early 15th century, Erode was under the rule of the Vijayanagar Empire, succeeded by Tirumalai Nayak, Hyder Ali, Tippu Sultan, and finally, the British. An inscription dating back to 1628 located in VOC park indicates that Chandramathi Mudaliar generously donated land for the construction of a 'Chatram,' hinting at his potential independent sovereignty.

Vijayanagar Influence

Erode's prolonged association with the Vijayanagar Empire profoundly impacted the town culturally, particularly evident in the worship of Sri Anjaneya. Numerous temples dedicated to Sri Anjaneya were established during this period, one such temple, where Sri Vyasaraja personally installed the main deity, can be found on Periyar Street in present-day Erode.

Rathri Chatram

Vyasatirtha, a prominent saint and advocate of Madhwacharya's Dvaita philosophy, lived between 1460 and 1539. Renowned as the royal guru of Sri Krishnadevaraya, he built 732 temples dedicated to Sri Anjaneya. He extensively traveled in the Kongu Nadu region, leaving behind several temples dedicated to Sri Anjaneya, including one at a site now known as ‘Rathri Chatram’ in Erode.

To know more about this Hanumath Devotee click here

Redevelopment of Chatram

Chatrams, built by kings and philanthropists, offered accommodation and food to pilgrims, akin to wayside inns. Sri Vyasaraja's installation of Sri Anjaneya transformed a place in Erode into a Chatram, providing essential facilities for pilgrims. Over time, with changing political climates and shifts in pilgrimage patterns, this location lost some of its significance until it was revitalized under the Mysore Wodeyars' rule.

Rathri Chatram Today

Today, Rathri Chatram operates under the Anantha Threertha Trust as a part of the Sri Pejawar Mutt from Udupi. The temple is home to Sri Mukhya Praana (Anjaneya Swamy) installed by Sri Vyasaraja, now known as ‘Kalyana Sri Anjaneya.’

There is Mrithiga Brindavanam of Sri Raghavendra Swamy along with Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar installed by Sri Sri Vishwa Prasanna Thirtharu of Sri Pejawara Math, Udupi on 05.02.2015.

Kalyana Sri Anjaneya Sannidhi

The temple's architecture features a beautifully carved wooden panel embellished with Ashta Lakshmi, leading to a front mandapam and garbhagraham. The utsava moorthi of Kalyana Sri Anjaneya resides in the front mandapam, while the garbhagraham houses a towering idol of Sri Anjaneya facing east.

Sri Kalyana Anjaneya

Sri Anjaneya is depicted as a full statue, standing with His hands in prayer. He adorns both hollow anklets called ‘Thandai’ and chain anklets known as ‘Nupur’ on His feet. An ornament is tied just below His right knee, with a large garland-like decoration near it. His traditional attire includes a Katcham-style dhoti secured by an ornamental waist belt. His folded hands wear a hollow wrist bracelet [Kankan] on the wrist and an upper bracelet [Keyur] on the upper arm. His shoulders are adorned with an ornament called ‘bhuja valaya,’ and two garlands rest on His chest. Additionally, a Yagyopavit with mujia embellishes His chest. His captivating face features chubby cheeks and long ears, drawing the devotee's gaze. Long ear pendants dangle from His ears. His neatly tied hair, or kesam, is fastened by a 'kesa bhanda,' resembling a crown. Finally, a bell-tipped tail crowns His head.

 

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SRI HANUMAN THINKS DIFFERENTLY, THINKS FAST
THINKS AHEAD AND ACTS FOR SURE

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Ed [June 2024]
Updates: [Jan 2025]

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