Ramanujacharya, the saint-philosopher, who propounded the Vishistadvaitha philosophy had fled Srirangam in Tamil Nadu. He took refuge at Thonnur, a small village near Melkote in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district. Many scholars give different versions about how long he stayed there, but it seems that he had a lengthy sojourn here going by many events and legends connected with him. Bittideva, the Jain King of the Hoysala dynasty, was attracted by Ramanujacharya's teachings and became a Vaishnavite and called himself Vishnuvardhana. It is said that Thonnur became the second capital of Hoysalas during this period.
The two temples that capture the attention of visitors here are the Nambi Narayanaswamy Temple and the Venugopalaswamy Temple. Legend has it that the temple of Nambi Narayanaswamy got this name as Lord Narayana graced Nambi, a disciple. This temple was constructed in the 12 th century AD during the regime of Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Cholas at Talakadu. According to an inscription, Suragi Nagaiah, one of the generals of King Vishnuvardhana, built this shrine. The temple has a Navaranga, a Maharanga Mantapa, a Ardha Mantapa, a Shukanaasi, a Garbha Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) and a big Paataalankana.
While all images of Narayana have a Chakra and Shanka on their right and left hands, it is uniquely opposite in the case of Nambi Narayanaswamy. To the right of Narayanaswamy, there is an image of Lakshmi. Gadha (Mace) and Padma are found on the upper hands. The nine-foot high main deity is flanked by Sridevi and Bhudevi on the right and left sides respectively. The images of Narayanaswamy, Sridevi and Bhudevi are carved out of a single stone.
In Navaranga, among other pillars, four are in softstone. The remaining are in granite. Ornate designs of flowers and beads are carved on these pillars. According to experts, the four similar softstone pillars were forerunners to the pillars found in Belur and Halebeedu temples. The images of astadikpaalakaas are also found here. The Ardhamantapa has the padukaas of Ramanujacharya. The Vimana of the shrine is in Dravidian style and built of mortar.
Fifty pillars adorn the Maharanga Mantapa. The Paataalankana has 40 octagonal-faced pillars. 45 feet high Garudagamba lies in front of this shrine. Some scholars are of the opinion that the Paataalankana and the Maharangamantapa are subsequent additions.
18 feet tall presiding deity Lord Perumal in the temple built by Acharya Sri Ramanuja appears majestically holding the conch in the right hand and the discus in the left. The idol of Sri Ramanuja, as Adisesha is in the Lord Narasimha temple. The Acharya also built a vast lake here which never goes dry. The temple with its minute architecture and beauty is under the administration of the Department of Archeological Survey of India.
There are several inscriptions dating back to the 11th Century AD that describe the contributions made by different rulers of that period to the upkeep and maintenance of the temple and the conduct of various festivals during the year.
A 12th Century AD inscription in Tamil with Grantha Characters refers to a gift of 5Gadyanas of gold paid into treasury by Kunraara Deva Perumal Bhattar for maintaining a perpetual lamp at Lakshmi Narayana from out of the interest accrued upon the endowment.
Centuries ago, this place was referred to as Yadava Narayana Chaturvedi Mangalam. Inscriptions refer to Veera Narasimha, the Hoysala ruler leading his kingdom with Dorasamudram as his capital and granting 64 gadayaanas to the people of Thondanur Agrahara for undertaking any repairs to the temple.
When at Thondanur, visit Yoga Narasimha Temple. Also, visit Thiru Narayana Temple at Melkote, about 20kms from here.
The two temples that capture the attention of visitors here are the Nambi Narayanaswamy Temple and the Venugopalaswamy Temple. Legend has it that the temple of Nambi Narayanaswamy got this name as Lord Narayana graced Nambi, a disciple. This temple was constructed in the 12 th century AD during the regime of Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Cholas at Talakadu. According to an inscription, Suragi Nagaiah, one of the generals of King Vishnuvardhana, built this shrine. The temple has a Navaranga, a Maharanga Mantapa, a Ardha Mantapa, a Shukanaasi, a Garbha Griha (Sanctum Sanctorum) and a big Paataalankana.
While all images of Narayana have a Chakra and Shanka on their right and left hands, it is uniquely opposite in the case of Nambi Narayanaswamy. To the right of Narayanaswamy, there is an image of Lakshmi. Gadha (Mace) and Padma are found on the upper hands. The nine-foot high main deity is flanked by Sridevi and Bhudevi on the right and left sides respectively. The images of Narayanaswamy, Sridevi and Bhudevi are carved out of a single stone.
In Navaranga, among other pillars, four are in softstone. The remaining are in granite. Ornate designs of flowers and beads are carved on these pillars. According to experts, the four similar softstone pillars were forerunners to the pillars found in Belur and Halebeedu temples. The images of astadikpaalakaas are also found here. The Ardhamantapa has the padukaas of Ramanujacharya. The Vimana of the shrine is in Dravidian style and built of mortar.
Fifty pillars adorn the Maharanga Mantapa. The Paataalankana has 40 octagonal-faced pillars. 45 feet high Garudagamba lies in front of this shrine. Some scholars are of the opinion that the Paataalankana and the Maharangamantapa are subsequent additions.
18 feet tall presiding deity Lord Perumal in the temple built by Acharya Sri Ramanuja appears majestically holding the conch in the right hand and the discus in the left. The idol of Sri Ramanuja, as Adisesha is in the Lord Narasimha temple. The Acharya also built a vast lake here which never goes dry. The temple with its minute architecture and beauty is under the administration of the Department of Archeological Survey of India.
There are several inscriptions dating back to the 11th Century AD that describe the contributions made by different rulers of that period to the upkeep and maintenance of the temple and the conduct of various festivals during the year.
A 12th Century AD inscription in Tamil with Grantha Characters refers to a gift of 5Gadyanas of gold paid into treasury by Kunraara Deva Perumal Bhattar for maintaining a perpetual lamp at Lakshmi Narayana from out of the interest accrued upon the endowment.
Centuries ago, this place was referred to as Yadava Narayana Chaturvedi Mangalam. Inscriptions refer to Veera Narasimha, the Hoysala ruler leading his kingdom with Dorasamudram as his capital and granting 64 gadayaanas to the people of Thondanur Agrahara for undertaking any repairs to the temple.
Temple Timings:
09:30am - 05:30pm.Location:
Tondanur is just 8 kms from Pandavpura in Mandya District, Karnataka. Pandavpura is linked to the Bangalore-Mysore Highway. Also, Tondanur is just 20 kms from Melkote. While travelling from Melkote to Pandavpura, Tondanur is a diversion on the right side.Contact:
Seshadri Bhattar @ 97418 19202.When at Thondanur, visit Yoga Narasimha Temple. Also, visit Thiru Narayana Temple at Melkote, about 20kms from here.
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