Ayodhya - Lord Rama's Temple
Over 100 temples exist in Ayodhya of which Hanuman Gadhi is very famous. It
is dedicated to Hanuman, the monkey-god. Treta Ka Mandir is another important
temple where Rama is believed to have performed a yajna (sacrifice). Kshireswara
Nath Temple is a very old temple and is supposed to have been built by Kaushalya,
mother of Rama. She is said to have constructed this temple for her daughter-in-law,
Sita (consort of Rama). Other temples you could visit include Kanak Bhavan and
Kala Rama Temple which house idols of Rama and Sita.
Though a thinly-populated town now, Ayodhya ranked amongst the six most important
Indian cities in the 6th century b.c. Sacred to the Hindus because it was Rama’s
birthplace, it continues to hog the limelightfor the same reason.
It caught global attention in 1992, when the Babri Masjid (it was, as claimed
by some people, built on the same spot where Rama was born) was demolished.
The demolition was followed by large-scale communal violence in most parts of
the country. The place is now a high-security zone.
Amongst the places of interest in the town are some Hindu temples and bathing
ghats (steps leading down to the river). Lakshman Ghat, and Swarga Dwara (Rama
Ghat) are important ghats. Besides these, there are some kunds (wells) which
serve as bathing spots.
Shrine of Lord Rama, Sri Kondandaramasvami Temple, Nandambakkam, South
India
A special sanctum in the Kodandaramasvami Temple houses the image of Lord Rama.
He is worshipped as the principal deity here. The mandapa in front of the Srinivasa
Perumal shrine contains the sanctums for Lakshmi and Andal on either side facing
east. The sanctum for Rama, also in this mandapa, is unique as it is constructed
facing south. The main stone image of Rama enshrined here is also an unusual
one. This is because He is placed here in a sitting posture holding Sita on
His lap, which is indicative of the coronation (pattabhisheka) ceremony. On
either side of Rama are His brothers Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. The
processional images or the utsava vigrahas is no less captivating. Here Lord
Rama is placed in a standing pose with Sita to His right and Lakshmana to His
left.
According to the traditional accounts of this temple, during the reign of the
Vijayanagara emperors seven neighboring villages of ekaadutaangal, Parangimalai,
Ramavaram, Sitapuram, Lakshmanapuram, Hanumantapuram and Sridevipuram were donated
to this temple for its upkeep and performance of rituals and festivals.
The Temple dedicated to Lord Rama is the representation of unusual image of
Lord and depict the legendary episodes from the Ramayana.
Three Unique Rama Temples, South India
Lord Rama is equally venerated in south India along with Lord Vishnu and Lord
Jagannatha. Hence several temples have also been erected, which house Lord Rama
as the superior deity. There are a large number of temples, both big and small
dedicated to Lord Rama in South India. Some of these, like the temples at Bhadrachaiam
(Andhra Pradesh) and Vaduvur (Tamil Nadu) are famous and draw a large number
of devotees. However, there are some Rama temples, stationed in small towns
and villages, which are not so well known, but are unique in their own way.
To this category belong the three Rama temples, each distinctive and exclusive,
found in the verdant villages of Ponvilainda Kalathur (P.V.Kalathur) and Ponpadirkudam
in Kanchipuram district. Ponvilainda Kalathur is approximately eight kilometers
from Chengalpattu town. Among these Rama temples mention may be made of Chaturbhuja
Rama swami Temple, Sri Kodandaramasvami (Pattabhirama) Temple and Darbhasayana
Seturama Temple.
Chaturbhuja Ramasvami Temple: - The Chaturbhuja Rama Temple is one of the trio
Rama Temples of South India. The significant aspect about the Temple is the
Chaturbhuja Rama icon. The legendary story depicts that the temple is several
hundred years old and house the stone images of the Rama, his consort Devi Sita,
Lakshmana. Hanuman is found here to be standing at the entrance of the sanctum,
offering respect to the Lord.
Sri Kodandaramasvami (Pattabhirama) Temple: - The icon of Lord Rama is tucked
in his human image. Here the lord has two arms, holding his bow and arrow. He
is also placed with his consort Devi Sita in the same pedestal. The significant
theme of the Rama icon in the Kodandaramasvami (Pattabhirama) Temple is the
pattabhisheka scene of the legend of Ramayana.
Darbhasayana Seturama Temple: - The bronze image of Lord Rama is the chief
attraction of this temple. The stone icon of Lord Rama was made just like the
Rama image in the temple at Tirupullani. The image of the Lord here conforms
to the Darbhasayana episode of Ramayana. The episode is related to the penance
of Rama, in order to impress Samudra raja so that he can cross the sea safely
to Lanka.
These trio Rama Temples although small in structure are significant among the
Rama temples. The legendary stories associated with it enhanced the mythological
splendor of these temples.
Bhadrachalam Rama Temple
Bhadrachalam is famous throughout India for its temple of Sri Seetaramachandra
Swamy. Bhadrachalam is a census town in Khammam district which falls in the
Telangana region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Bhadrachalam shrine
is a site of pilgrimage for Hindus. It is situated on the bank of the river
Godavari (southern Ganges).
Truprayar Rama Temple
Like the neighboring states in Kerala also the number of temples dedicated
to Rama are very few. One of them is the famous Truprayar temple. This temple
is about 20 km from the town of Trichur. It is between Kodungallor and Guruvayur.,.
The river flowing through this village is called Truprayar Puzha.
Tulsi Manas (Rama) Temple, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Tulsi Manas temple is one of the most famous temples of Varanasi. 7 kilometres
from the Station. It is also an important tourist attraction of the holy city.
The Tulsi Manas temple is located near the famous Durga temple. It was built
in white marble in the year 1964. The temple has been made more charming by
the magnificent landscaping around it.
The Tulsi Manas temple is dedicated to lord Rama. It is believed to be built
at the same place where Tulsidas wrote the famous Indian epic, Ram Charita Manas.
The walls of the Tulsi Manas temple are engraved with verses and scenes from
the Ram Charita Manas, the Hindi version of the Ramayana.
Hazara Rama Temple, Hampi
Introduction Hazara Rama Temple Hampi was dedicated to Lord Rama. This temple
boasts of and is proud of many fine bas reliefs depicting and portraying scenes
from Ramayana and Mahanavami festival. The Hazara Rama Temple is believed to
have been the private place of worship of the Royal family. The temple is famous
for its many Ramayana panels.
Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi in India is the only temple in Hampi where there
are boldly chiseled bas-reliefs on the exterior walls. Being narrative in nature,
the bas reliefs have the Ramayana epic is carved in detail on them.
There are five continuous sculptures that cover the outside of the enclosure
wall. The panels show and display processions of horses, elephants, attendants,
soldiers, musicians and wrestlers witnessed by a few seated royal figures around
the temple. The power of the rulers and the might of their fighting forces paraded
annually at the time of the Dusshera festival are represented in the panels.
Hazara Rama Temple, Karnataka is a fabulous masterpiece of the ancient architecture
of the Vijayanagara's sculptors. There is a beautiful path that connects the
Zenena Enclosure with the Royal Enclosure. This path passes along the temple
courtyard. There is another path from Danaik's Enclosure and Underground Shiva
Temple that connects and joins this path at its northeastern corner.
Tiruvangadu
The Tiruvangad Rama temple located in Telicheri, north of Kozhikkode in Northern
Kerala is one of the three well known Rama temples in the state, the other two
being Triprayar and Tiruvilvamala. This temple differs from the other two in
that it has a prominent flagstaff used in annual festivals, while the other
two do not.
The sanskritized name for this site is Swetaranyam - or the white forest, as
in TiruveNkadu in Tamilnadu. Swetaranyam in Tamilnadu houses the famous Shivastalam
dedicated to Swetaranyeswarar, Nataraja and Aghora Virabhadrar and the planet
Mercury.
Chaturbhuja Ramasvami Temple, South India
Chaturbhuja Rama swami Temple is one of the three significant temples dedicated
to Lord Rama. On the lush outskirts of the tiny village of Ponpadirkudam is
stationed the small temple for Chaturbhuja Ramasvami. As the legendary stories
depicts, the temple is several hundred years old. The sanctum-sanctorum (garbha-griha)
or the principal chamber of this shrine, which faces east, houses the stone
images of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman. The principal deity here is Lord
Rama, who is seated in the altar with his consort Sita. The principal attraction
about this temple is the icon of Lord Rama. The icon of Rama here is particularly
unique as he has four hands. Due to this posture he is called Chaturbhuja. The
temple is also named after the name of the deity. In His upper left hand He
holds the sankha (conch) and in the upper right hand, the chakra (discus). The
lower right hand is in abhaya hasta, affording protection to the devotee while
the left hand is in varada or boon-giving pose. This exquisite image of Rama
with a benevolent smile, seated in ardha-padmasana with His bent left leg resting
on the seat and right leg placed in front is truly fascinating.
Eri Katha Rama Temple, Tiruninravur, South India
Eri Katha Rama Temple is one of the significant temples dedicated to Lord Sri
Rama. Since the popular deity worshipped in most of the temples is Lord Vishnu,
Lord Rama ceased to achieve equal veneration like Lord Vishnu. The place Tiruninravur,
apart from being popular as the abode of famous Vishnu temples, is also well
known as the home to another very ancient temple dedicated to Lord Rama. The
Rama temple of Tiruninravur is known as Kaiunakaramurti and Daasharathi and
fondly referred to as Eri Katha Rama. This small shrine is also facing, east.
It is located in a very scenic spot about half a kilometer west of the Bhaktavatsala
Perumal temple, with the holy tank known as Kshira Pushkarini on one side and
bordered by the vast lake named Varuna Pushkarini on another.
Kothandarmaswamy temple - Dhanushkodi
Kothandarmaswamy temple is 18km from Rameswaram
The island Dhanuskodi was hit by the 1964 cyclone, yet the Kothandarmaswamy
temple survived. It contains Moolava & urchava deityies of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana,
Hanuman and Vibishana.
Here Vibishnana surrenderd before Rama.
Gandamadanaparavtham
Gandamadanaparavtham Rama Temple is 3km from Rameswaram
Here Lord Rama's feet is placed on a chakra known as Rama paatham.
Kodanda Rama Temple
End of the Virupaksha Bazaar, a small pathway leading north along the riverbank
takes you to the Kodanda Rama Temple. This temple faces Chakrathirtha, which
is considered to be the most sacred bathing ghat in the river.The rectangular
"Garbha Griha" of the temple contains large standing figures of Sri
Rama, Sita and Lakshmana each nearly 15 feet in height in black stone.
Pattabhirama Temple
Pattabhirama Temple is situated in the city of Hampi. The east-facing sanctum
is a tri-tala vimana with an antarala, ardha-mantapa and maha-mantapa. The large
and square maha-mantapa is a finely proportioned seven aisled structure with
tall and slender composite pillars of various types. To the east of the ardha-mantapa
is the usual covered pradakshina-prakara enclosing the garbha-griha and the
antarala.
Malayavantha Raghunatha Temple
Malayavanta Raghunatha Temple, on Malayavanta Hill on the road to Kampli. At
this place Rama and Lakshmana spend four months of the rainy season after installing
Sugriva on the throne. In the main temple, deities of Rama and Lakshmana are
sitting, Sita is standing next to them, and a kneeling Hanuman is carved on
a boulder on their right side. There deities Rama and Lakshmana in a sitting
posture; they’re worrying about the kidnapped Sita.
Nearby Madhuvan is there. After finding Sita, the monkeys stopped here and
enjoyed royal gardens full of honey and fruit. Today there is a small Hanuman
temple here.
Karaikal Rama Temple
Karaikal is around 20km from Nagapatinum. Rama temple is a small one. Main
deity (Moolavar) Varadharaja with Sridevi and Boodevi. Urchava deity Kothandarama
with Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman. Ramanavami festival is very famous here.
Kumbakonam Rama Temple (Ramaswamy temple)
Kumbakonam Rama Temple is 2Km from kumbakonam.
Moolava Rama and Sita are in sitting position. Bharata and Satrughna are in
standing position.
Hanuman holding a Veena.
In mandapam there are several exquisite pillars with sculptures of events from
the Ramayana.
On the walls around the temples are beautiful paintings of the Ramayana.
The Nayak King Raghunath built this temple in the 16th and 17th century.
Unique Feature: Here Rama and Sita are sitting in the same throne, Hanuman
Holding a veena.
Madurantakam Rama Temple
Madurantakam Ramar Temple is 80 km from Chennai.The main and urchava deity
are Kothanda Rama. Sita and Laskhmana
In olden days the place was known as Bakularanyam due to the sweet-smelling
Bakula flowers which used to grow there in plenty.
Krita Yuga Brahma Putras installed vishnu(Karunakaramurthy) in the hermitage
of the great sage Vibhandaka and attained salvation by worshipping him.
Tretayuga Rama returning to Ayodhya from srilanka in Pusbaka viman, viman struck
here. Rama prayed the karunakaramurthy and continued his journey
Ramanuja got his panchasamakaram here from periyanambikal.
Madurantakam tank area was 13 square miles and a depth of 21 feet. every year
rains will damage the villages due to breach in tank. Colonel Blaze prayed the
god to stop the breaches in the tank.this time there was no breaches. he visited
the tank and saw two warriors (Rama and Lakshmana) bearing bow guarding the
bunds.he build the temple for sita and Rama came to be known as the Erikatha
Ramar (Rama who saved the tank).
Unique Feature: Here two sets of urchava deitys are there
Mudikondan Rama Temple
Mudikondan Kothanda Ramar Temple is 20 km from Mayiladuthurai. The 2,000-year-old
temple lies between Thirukannapuram and Sirupuliyur.The main and urchava deity
are Kothanda Rama. Sita and Laskhmana
Needamangalam Rama Temple (Santhanarama swamy temple)
Needamagalam santhana rama Temple is 30 km from Kumbakonam.
Moolava and Urchava deity rama sita lakshmana and hanuman.
Maharastra king pratab singh build the temple in 1761. queen name is yamunabal.
so the place called as yamunambal in olden days now it is called as needamangalam.king
prayed the lord rama and god the child. so it is famous for newley married person
who look for the child.
take a dip in saketha tank in front of the temple and pray the rama to get the
kids
The king also build the Punnainallur rama temple.
Punnainallur Rama Temple
Punnainallur rama Temple is 7km from tanjore.
Moolava and Urchava deity rama sita lakshmana and hanuman.
Maharastra king pratab singh build the temple in 1763. queen name is yamunabal.he
also build the needamangalam rama temple. The Vimanam is Soundarya Vimanam.
The Sthala Vriksham is the Punnai tree under which the Sri Rama Paduka have
been engraved. Water tank is called sheera pushkarani.
Unique Feature
Moolava deitys are saligrama form
Here Anjaneya lift one hand in another hand holding lotus flower
ganesha armed with the Sudarsana and the Panchajanya.
Solavanthan Rama Temple
Solavanthan rama Temple is 21km from Madurai.
Moolava deity is Sri janaka narayanan with Sridevi and boodevi
Urchava deity Kothanda rama, Sita,Lakshmana and Hanuman.
Thanjavur Rama Temple (Vijaya Kothandarama temple)
Thanjavur rama Temple is 250km from Chennai.
Moolava and Urchava deity rama sita lakshmana and hanuman.
Thirupullani Rama Temple (Dharbasayanam rama temple)
Thirupullani rama Temple is 8km from Ramanathapuram
Moolava deity Adi jaganatha perumal and Padmasani Thayar.Moolava deity also
known as Kalyana Jaganatha perumal
Urchava deity is Rama, Sita, lakshmana and Hanuman.
Sri Rama have laid for three days on kusha grass facing the sea and invoked
the aid of the sea God for safe passage to Sri Lanka. Sri Vibeshana with his
consort surrendered at the feet of Sri. Rama and hence known as Sarnagathi sthala
Unique Feature: Rama in sleeping pose. Adi jaganatha in standing pose.
Thirupullam Boothankudi Rama Temple
Thirupullaboothankudi rama Temple is 10km from kumbakonam.
Moolava deity Rama, Sridevi lakshman and hanuman
Urchava deity Valvil rama have four hands with Sridevi and boodevi.
Unique Feature: one of the Divyadesam
Sree Rama rested after giving Moksha to Jadayu as per Ramayan.
Sree Rama has got with his Chakra and Sangu like bhadrachalam.
Sita is not seen with Him, as Ravana had already abducted her.
Thiruvallur Rama Temple (Veera raghava temple)
Thiruvallur rama Temple is 40km from Chennai.
Moolava deity Veeraragavan and Kanakavalli thayar
Bathing in the temple tank, and worshipping Veeraraghavaperumaal here, is a
cure to many a physical ailment, and hence the deity is also known as Vaidya
Veeraraghava Perumal
Unique Feature: one of the Divyadesam
moolava Veeraragavan in reclining posture.
Thiruvelliyankudi Rama Temple (Kolavilli rama temple)
Thiruvelliyankudi rama Temple is 20km from kumbakonam.
Moolava Kolavill rama, Marakatavalli thayar
Urchava deity sringara sundaran
Unique Feature: one of the Divyadesam
moolava kolavill rama in recling posture
Garuda having counch and discus.
It is believed that visiting this DivyaDesam is equivalent to visiting all of
the 108 shrines
Vaduvur Rama Temple
Vaduvur rama Temple is 15km from tanjavur
Moolava and Urchava deity Rama, Sita,Lakshmana and Hanuman.
one day Rishis asked Rama not live alone when rama is in forest. Rama taken
the Idol form and kept outside his home. Rama asked this time whom you want
the Idol or me. Every one is astonised the beauty of idol and said we need the
idol they workshipped the idol.
Rama came in Saraboji kings dream and said I am in Thalai gnayiru near Thiruthuraipoondi.King
unearthed the Deities and place it in Vaduvur.
Vaduvur is also called Vakularangam and Dhakshina Ayodhi.
Tirupati Kothandarama Swamy Temple (Kothandarama swamy temple)
Tirupati Rama Temple is 2km from Tirupathi.
Moolava deity is rama sita and lakshmana
The temple was built by Chola king during 10th century.
Kerala Rama Temples
The main Rama temples in kerala are Thirumanivenkatapuram, Ramapuram, Triprayar,
Katavallur, Telicherry, Tiruvilwamala, Nulpuzha and Dharmadam.
Triprayar Rama temple-Trichur.
Triprayar is around 25km from Trichur.
Moolavar Rama with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Rama with four hands holding counch,
disc, bow and garland
It is also believed that the portrayal of Rama with a garland held in his hands
is also suggestive of aspects of Bhrahma and hence the deity is said to be a
manifestation of the Trimurthis. An unseen manifestation of Hanuman is worshipped
in a mandapam across the hall from the sanctum
Tiruvilamala Rama Temple
Tiruvilamala Rama temple is 29 kms from Trichur
Irinjalakuda Temple-Trichur
Irinjalakuda Temple is 21km from Thrichur
This is the only temple dedicated to Bharatha.
Pdiyur Temple
This is the only temple dedicated to Satrughna.
Kannur Temple
Kannur Ramaswamy Temple is 23km from kannur.
The exquisite carvings in the temple are feast to eyes. Nearly 400 years old
temple.
Punarjini Guha (Natural Tunnel)-- Palakkad
Situated 2 kms from the Thiruvilwamala Temple, this Guha is a natural tunnel
in the rocky cliff. Sri Raman is the temple's chief deity of the idol is believed
to be 'Swayambhoo'
Thenari (Natural Spring)-- Palakkad
It is believed that the waters of this natural spring, located in front of the
old Sree Ram Temple here, is as sacred as the water of the Ganges. Legend goes
that when Lord Rama and Sita were on exile. One day Sita felt thirsty and there
was no water nearby. Lord Rama used his bow and arrow made a spring to quench
Sita's thirst.
