A lesser known ancient temple in Chennai built at same time of Tirumala using the same stones .
One of the Prince in the lineage of the Krishna Deva Rayar was Achutha Rayar and he was born with disabilities.
As per legends Achutya Raya was born physically challenged. Lord Narayana
appeared in his dream and asked the king to come to Unamancheri. There the Lord gave the King Pattabhisheka darshan along with Sita, Lakshman, Bharat , Shatrughan and Hanuman. The Lord told the king to construct a pond and perform Pujas to Him. The king as instructed constructed a huge pond and started doing the pooja rituals , slowly his physical defects started to disappear. He further expanded the temple into a bigger temple.
The original name it seems was Unam maikkum solai ( meaning garden that destroys physical defects ). The priest said that this is the name in British records also.
Inside the temple Sri Ranganatha ( kula deivam of Lord Rama according to the priest ) has been carved above the sanctum sanctorum instead Gaja Lakshmi we see usually in many temples.
Sculptures of Sri Devi, Bhoo Devi, Nila Devi, Bibi Nachiyar and Malayala Nachiyar are there he said. On the roof we can find carvings of Rahu, Ketu, fish , crane , lizards and flower.
The seal of the Vijayanagar Empire – boar, dagger, sun and moon are seen outside the temple on the wall.
People with delayed marriage, progeny and with defects come to the temple and pray .
Outside the temple on a pillar is Kalinga Narthana Krishna , he showed us. People personally offer Puja to this sculpture for solving problems like delayed marriage and progeny.
When his father prayed to the lord – the almighty asked to come to Unam maitha Solai and look out for Lord Rama – Sita idols which was later found in a dense hermitage .
The Prince worshipped the idols found there of Sri Rama Pattahisrjakam – Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana , Bharat and Satrugana.
The Hanuman inside the temple here is two faced one facing Lord Rama and other towards Bhakta.
The temple previously had a small garba graha alone and a pond behind it.
The Abhishekam performed for the Lord Rama and Sita flow to the pond and the prince used to bath here. One day the disability is completely disappeared.
Later Prince Achuthan Rayar built a big temple and donated lot of lands
This temple and Tirumala is both built from same stone (brought from Hampi) and same king .
Thaipoosam is famous here – with the parvettai festival happens throughout the day and night. The Urchavar goes to a hillock nearby – Nallambakkam and returns the next day with much fanfare and lighting’s
TO REACH THERE:
From Tambaram: 13km via Perungalathur, Vandalur and then on Vandalur – Kelambakkam Road. Right turn at Unamancheri near Kolapakkam.
From Medavakkam: 21km on Medavakkam – Mambakkam Road, then turn towards Vandalur at Mambakkam. Left turn at Unamancheri near Kolapakkam.
Ranjus travel blog 