| Uthiramerur Sundaravaradaraja Perumal | |
| Besides the presence of myriad temples, this town is of historical importance. Uthiramerur has the distinction of having been ruled by many dynasties: Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar kings and Pallavas. The kings contributed to the growth of the town and left an indelible imprint by building many temples each having a distinct identity of its own. The sculptures in the temples are identified with a particular period. Uthiramerur is supposed to be the name of a Goddess. In 750 AD, Nandivarma Pallavan donated this town to 1,200 Vedic scholars who settled down there. This temple town is also called Uthiramerur Chaturvedimangalam. | |
The temple town of Uthiramerur, situated between Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram, dates back to 750 AD.One of the famous temples here is Sundaravaradaraja Perumal temple which has three tiers. There are three main sanctum sanctorum, one on top of the other.
In the second tier, the God, Vaikunta Varadar, is in sitting posture, and in the third and top-most tier, he is in the sayana thirukolam (reclining posture) and is called Ananthasayanamurti.
Lord Anjaneya, with a gadhai in his hand, and left leg put forward, as if ready to leap, poses effulgently in a separate enclosure opposite the temple.
It is the general belief that keeping the right foot forward while walking denotes mangalakaram. But in this temple, Anjaneya is ready to take off putting his left foot forward, which is not a good omen. The temple priest has an interesting interpretation.
Anjaneya is ready to leave for Lanka to rescue Sita. Is he not setting foot in his enemy’s land? Ravana, who abducted Sita, should be vanquished and Sita should be rescued. Thus, to create havoc, he is putting his left foot forward to proceed to Lanka. Is Anjaneya not justified in this posture?
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