THONDANUR- ramanujar


Yes Thondanur  means immediately you can go to flash back mode to our Udayavar's  era and time. A Shivate king Koluthunga Chola was ruling the South at that time. He was a staunch Shivate.  He had an evil Minster named Nalluran. He did not like our Vaishnavism growing, so he poisoned the ears of the King and told him that he should take it in writing from all the Religious head that Shiva is greatest of all. Particularly he did not like our Udayavar's  and Our Vaishtaadwaithams growth. Then some how news reached  Udayavar's camp that kings men are coming take him to Kings court. Sensing trouble Our Koorath Alwan convinces Ramanujacharya to undertake  Pilgrimage. Saying this  Koorath Alwan  and our Ramanujacharya exchanged their clothes. Then Kings man took away  Koorath Alwan  and rest is history.  Meanwhile our Udayavar traveled along the river Cauvery's course and ultimately reached Thondanur in Melnadu ( Present day Karnataka ) One of the Pradhana Shishiya named Thondanur Nambi his disciple was happy to play host to his beloved Acharya . But problem was lot of disciple had also come  along with Our beloved Acharya , Nambi was not  rich. Then knowing this our Acharya Valal Sent word to Katalaivari and Kongupratti and they donated 1000 Gold coins, with this daily Bhagavath Aradhanam and Thadi Aradhanam was held nicely. At that time Hoysala was ruled by Bitti Deva and he was a follower of Jainism. Once Nambi went to Palace and found it was gloomy. Then he asked Raja what is the problem. For that he told his daughter is processed by Brahmarakshas and even my Jain Guru's could not do anything. For that Nambi told My guru is here and he will cure. For that Bitti Deva told if that miracle happens he will  become the followers of Udayavar. Then Udayavar went to palace, he was welcomed by the King and queen Then the princess came and did act  of mad woman. Then Ramujar Sprinkled the Holy water from his kamandalam. Then she fainted and when she regained consciousness , she was turned a new leaf. Such is the mahima of our Udayavar. Then seeing this King and queen bowed to our Acharya and asked him to accept as disciples, Our Acharya accepted them and He did a Namakranam to King as Vishnuvardhan.( In memory of this great event, the king built five Vaishnava temples Channiga Narayana temple at Belur, Nambi Narayana temple at Thondanur, Keerthi Narayana temple at Talakad, Veera Narayana temple at Gadag and Chelva Narayana temple at Melkote. These temples are lasting monuments of Karnataka culture and architecture. Ramanuja built many other temples too in Thondanur). 
 
Then seeing this Jain Acharyas told Ramanuja has done some Vasiyam and they wanted to have a debate. Then 12000 Jains debated with our Udayavar, Then Our Ramanuja asked his disciple to put a screen and he took a form a 1000 headed Adhisheshan and defeated this Jains.  ( even today you will find the Statue of Udayavar in Nambi Narayana temple and also Narasimha Temple. Here there are three temples, they are Nambi Narayana Temple. ( It is one the Pancha Narayana KSHéTRAM established by Bhagavath Ramanuja.  the Moolavar is  18 feet height and he is holding Shanku and Chakra in reverse order      ( We could not take picture as it is under Archeological Survey of India , May be in near future you can see the Picture) . it is said he did   Pancha Samasakara to Thondanur Nambi, then a Narasimha Temple and Gopala Krishna Temple. Then near by you can see a vast big lake which was built by our Udayavar with his own hand.