In a picturesque village near Pondicherry, the grandeur of devotion takes shape with the unveiling of a monumental temple dedicated to Emadharman. The sanctum of this sacred space houses a colossal 30-foot-high idol of Emadharman, marking it as the tallest of its kind globally. The belief surrounding this temple is rooted in the idea that worshipping the departed through daily rituals and offerings can dispel misfortunes, ushering in a life of prosperity and happiness.
Prominent figures including Yashoda Behn, whose statue was installed by PM Modi, Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar, acclaimed actor Marimuthu and Shrimati, the wife of former Puducherry Chief Minister Narayanasamy, are among the revered idols worshipped within the temple premises.
The temple’s custodian highlighted an ancient scripture, Olaichuvadi, asserting that traditional visits to the deceased at Idukhat are restricted. To overcome this, the placement of deceased idols within the Emadarman temple, coupled with daily worship, is believed to bring affluence to the families.
A remarkable feature of the temple is the towering 30-foot statue of Emadarmaraja, where, since its installation and consecration, only natural deaths have occurred, shunning untimely demises. Unlike other revered sites like Kashi and Rameswaram, the Emadarmaraja temple in Thathalali offers facilities for worshipping ancestors through pindhas and darpanam.
Dating back nearly 400 years, the temple portrays Ematharmarajan seated on his divine vehicle, the buffalo, holding a love rope. Chitra Gupta, positioned beside him, points southward with a pen in hand. Surrounding the temple are Lord Vinayaka, Emad’s sister Andachi Amman and an Aiyanar shrine.
An iconic arched tower graces the Emad temple, with three tridents placed in alignment for Perumal, Emadharmarajan and Chitragupta. The temple’s outer ‘praharam’ features a painting depicting the punishments of Emad, as narrated in the Garuda Purana.
The inception of this sacred haven traces back 400 years, inspired by Ematharmarajan’s divine appearance in the dream of Nanjappadevar, a revered person of that region. He was directed to build a temple on the banks of the Noyyal River, offering a unique ‘O’-shaped land for the construction.
In a departure from customary practices, this temple excludes the breaking of coconuts, attributed to the belief that the deity breathes. Pujas commence with reverence to sister Andachi Amman, followed by Emadharma and Chitragupta. The temple’s grand celebration occurs annually during the full moon of the Chitrai month, featuring Chitrai Vani Pongal and a spectacular procession of one hundred and one idols.
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