CHENNAI: Sriperumbudur, close to Chennai, is well-known for being home to the Adikesava Perumal temple and also as the birthplace of the illustrious Srivaishnava preceptor (Acharya), Ramanujacharya who was born in 1017 AD.
A tall entrance gopuram leads to a spacious outer circumambulatory passage (prakaram) where an eye-catching mandapam with superbly carved granite pillars depicting the rearing horse motif and images of various forms of Vishnu is situated. This leads the main sanctum enshrining Adikesava Perumal in a standing pose, fl anked by Sri Devi and Bhu Devi.
Images of Vishvaksena, the Azhvars, Acharyas and Andal are enshrined close by. Adikesava Perumal is said to have been worshipped by Ramanujacharya.
A 16th Century inscription on the walls, specifi - cally mentions this fact. The famous sanctum for Ramanujacharya is situated close to the principal shrine. It has a separate circumambulatory passage, on the walls of which are Thanjavur style paintings depicting episodes in the eventful life of the Acharya.
The Ramanuja image in the sanctum, known as ‘Than Uganda Thirumeni’ in Tamil, is very special as it was made in his likeness in his lifetime. The disciples of Kanthadai Andan, son of Mudaliandan (one of the foremost disciples of Ramanuja) had the image consecrated here.
Rama enshrined in the outer prakaram is referred to in a 16th Century Vijayanagara inscription as Chakravarti Tirumagan. Along the compound wall runs a pillared veranda, where paintings of deities in famous Vishnu temples are seen. The temple has inscriptions of the Vijayanagara dynasty, recording donations for festivals and offerings to the deities and to Ramanujacharya. The most important festivals are the ten-day annual Brahmotsavam for Adikesava Perumal and also a ten-day festival for Ramanujacharya.