Sri Rama temples in India date back to the 5th century or earlier according to historical evidence, though they have not survived. It is interesting to note that carvings of Shri Rama and Hanuman have been discovered by archaeologists in the ruins of Ur, an ancient Sumerian city of Mesopotamia, now lying in present-day Iraq. Shri Rama along with Krishna and Shiva are three of the most popular Gods of the Hindu pantheon.
Shri Rama is a popular and much revered Hindu deity, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is believed to have lived during the Treta Yuga. When it comes to Shri Rama temples in India, today there must be thousands of them across the country.
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Famous Sri Rama Temples In India
Though the cult of Rama worship is believed to have gained momentum around the 11th century, the fact is that Sri Rama was a revered figure even during the Dwapara Yuga.
Reference to Sri Rama and Hanuman can be found in the Mahabharata. The Ramayana is believed to have taken place during the Treta Yuga. Sri Rama was born in Ayodhya located in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
Shri Rama travelled from Ayodhya across India, all the way to Sri Lanka, during his exile. It is no wonder that there are Rama Temples in India that dot the length and breadth of the country.
Here are the details of the top 15 Sri Rama Temples in India, which vouch for the immense popularity of Shri Rama and the Ramayana. We look here at some of the famous Shri Ram Temples in India.
Famous Sri Rama Temples In India – Northern India
Ram was born in the city of Ayodhya and then went into exile for 14 years, in the course of which he travelled from the north to the southern tip of India and then to Sri Lanka. It is thus understandable that one can find many important Hindu temples in India dedicated to Sri Ram.
Here are some of the famous Sri Rama temples in India, which are located in the northern region of the country.
Ram Janmabhoomi Temple In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
The most famous Ram Temple in India is of course the Shri Ram Ayodhya Ram Mandir also known as Ram Janabhoomi Temple. The Ram Temple Ayodhya is being built at the place that is believed to have been the birthplace of Lord Rama.
The principal deity of the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is Ram Lalla, the infant form of Sri Ram. The Ayodhya temple complex, apart from the temple to Sri Ram, will also have temples to the Sun God Surya, Ganesha, Shiva, Durga, Vishnu, and Brahma.
Nearest Airport: Lucknow, the Ayodhya International Airport is under construction.
Read about the Ram Navami festival here
Ram Raja Temple In Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India, is a state rich in heritage and culture and is home to important monuments like the Sanchi Stupa and the Khajuraho temples. Madhya Pradesh also happens to have one of the famous Rama temples in India at Orchha.
If Ram is worshipped as Ram Lalla at Ayodhya, he is worshipped as Ram Raja in Orchha. The deity is worshipped as a King, and all ceremonies including the offerings are that befitting royalty. A Guard of Honour is accorded to Raja Ram every day.
Lord Ram can be seen with a sword and shield in the sanctum, accompanied by Lakshman and Sita. Sugriv, Hanuman, Durga, and Jambavan can also be seen here.
Nearest Airport: Gwalior
Raghunath Temple In Jammu
The Raghunath temple in Jammu is one of the biggest temple complexes in North India. It dates back to the late 19th century and was built by Maharajah Gulab Singh and his son Maharajah Ranbir Singh. The temple complex consists of seven different shrines, each with its own crowning Shikhara that rises to the skies.
The principal deity at this Rama Temple in India is Sri Ram who is worshipped as Raghunath. There are also temples to Surya, and other avatars of Lord Vishnu, within the Raghunath temple complex in Jammu.
Nearest Airport: Jammu.
Lord Rama Temples In India – Southern India
Sri Ram who along with his brother Lakshman and wife Sita spent 14 years in exile, travelled across India, and it is believed that after the abduction of Sita by Ravana, the brothers met Hanuman and Sugriva at Kishkinda, believed to be the present-day Anegundi near Hampi in Karnataka.
Later Sri Ram moved to Rameshwaram and then to Sri Lanka, where he vanquished Ravana and rescued Sita. Many of the Shri Rama temples in India are thus found in southern India.
Here are some of the Sri Ram temples of South India.
Sri Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple In Bhadrachalam, Telangana
The Sita Ramachandraswamy temple in Bhadrachalam, Telangana is a Rama temple that has a direct connection to the epic Ramayana. The temple is associated with the legend of Bhadra, who became a human figure from stone after the darshan of Sri Ram.
The principal deity in the sanctum of the temple is Vaikuntha Rama. Sri Rama can be seen here with four arms. According to legend Lord Vishnu appeared as Rama in answer to Bhadra’s prayers but forgot that in his Rama avatar, he was a man, and appeared before Bhadra with four arms. Sita and Lakshmana can also be seen inside the sanctum of the temple.
Nearest Airport: Rajahmundry.
Ramaswamy Temple In Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu
The Ramaswamy Temple in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu is one of the famous Lord Rama temples in India. The temple was built during the 16th century by the Thanjavur Nayak kings. It is believed that the idols in the sanctum were found hidden in a tank of a temple in Darasuram.
Sri Rama and Sita in seated posture can be seen in the sanctum of the temple. Images of Lakshman, Bharatha, and Shatrughna can be seen standing, while Hanuman can be seen in a worshipping pose. One of the highlights of the temple is the 64 pillars in a hall near the Gopuram on which scenes from the Ramayana are depicted beautifully.
Nearest Airport: Tiruchirapalli.
Read about Ram Navami recipes here
Kothandaramaswamy Temple In Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu is a very important location on the Ramayana trail. The historic Ram Setu, the bridge that was built across the ocean to Sri Lanka by Sri Rama with the help of the Vanaras is believed to have been located here.
It is here that Sri Rama worshipped Shiva before and after his visit to Sri Lanka. The presence of the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, adds to the sanctity of Rameshwaram.
The Kothandaramaswamy temple which is also known as Vibhishana temple is located about 13 kilometres from Rameshwaram, in the midst of the sea. It is the only historical structure that has survived the devastation wreaked by a cyclone that rocked Dhanushkodi in 1964. What is unique about the Kothandaramaswamy temple of Rameswaram is that the sanctum has an image of Ravana’s brother, Vibhishana, apart from those of Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman.
The temple is believed to be about a thousand years old and is said to be located at the very spot where Vibhishana is said to have met Sri Ram, after leaving Ravana in Sri Lanka.
Nearest Airport: Madurai.
Kodandarama Temple In Vontimitta, Andhra Pradesh
The Kodandarama temple in Vontimitta is one of the oldest Ram temples in India. It is located in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. It is believed to have been built in the 16th century by two robbers turned devotees of Sri Ram. Their names were Vontudu and Mittudu, and according to legend, they later turned into stone.
The elegant architectural style of the temple is because of its Vijaynagara pedigree. The sanctum sanctorum has images of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita carved on a single rock, in fact, the Garbagriha or Sanctum is itself carved from a single rock. The temple is adorned with beautiful carvings.
Nearest Airport: Tirupati
Vijayraghava Perumal Temple In Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
The Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple is located in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. The principal deity of the temple is Vijayaraghava Perumal. The temple is associated with the legend of Jatayu in the Ramayana. According to the legend, the bird Jatayu breathed his last here after being injured in a duel with Ravana. Sri Rama gave salvation to the brave bird at this spot.
In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, one can see Vijayaraghava with four arms, holding Jatayu and performing the last rites. Sridevi and Bhudevi can also be seen in the sanctum. The temple is also associated with Ramanujan and it is believed that his early education happened here.
Nearest Airport: Chennai
Kodandarama Temple In Hiremagalur, Karnataka
The Kondandarama temple is a Sri Rama temple that is located in Hiremagalur, in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. According to legend, the place is where Rama, who was the seventh avatar of Vishnu, encountered Parashurama, the sixth avatar.
In the sanctum of the temple, Lakshman and Sita are standing on either side of Sri Ram. Both Lakshman and Ram are holding a bow and arrow in their hands, hence the name Kodandarama. According to mythology, Rama destroyed the arrogance of Parashurama here, and on his request showed him the vision of Sri Rama’s marriage to Sita. Hence the unusual placement of the three idols in the temple.
Nearest Airport: Mangalore.
Thriprayar Shree Ramaswami Temple, Kerala
The Thriprayar Shree Ramaswami temple is located in a town by the name of Thriprayar in the Thrissur district of Kerala. Sri Rama is worshipped in the temple as Triprayarappan or Triprayar Thevar. It is believed that this deity was worshipped by Krishna in Dwarka, during the Dwapara Yuga. After the Swargarohana of Krishna at Bhalka Teerth, near Dwarka, the idol was immersed in the sea.
The idol was later recovered in the sea near Kerala, and a temple was built for it by the local king, Vakkayil Kaimal. The idol worshipped in the temple has four arms, and what is unique is that it also has some aspects of Shiva and Brahma too.
Nearest Airport: Kochi.
Read about the famous Krishna temples of India here
Ramapuram Sree Rama Temple, Kerala
The Ramapuram Sree Rama temple is located in a village named Ramapuram in the Kottayam district of Kerala. The temple is an ancient one and is believed to be a thousand years old. The main deity is Shri Ram with four arms and is also referred to as Chaturbhuja. There are also shrines here for Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna.
According to legend, Shri Rama during his exile came upon Ramapuram and found the place so serene, that he sat down in deep meditation there. The temple commemorates the visit of Shri Ram to Ramapuram.
Nearest Airport: Kochi.
Shri Ram Temples In India – East India
Wherever you are, if you look around you, there definitely will be a Ram temple, or a locality, village, or town, that is named after Ram. Such is the faith and popularity that Shri Ram evokes in the country. Here, then are some important Shri Ram temples in the eastern part of India.
Ramchaura Mandir In Hajipur, Bihar
The Ramchaura Mandir is located in Hajipur city in the Vaishali district of Bihar. This is a very ancient temple which is directly associated with the Ramayana. According to legend, Shri Ram had his first Mundan ceremony performed at this place. A temple was later built over his footprints.
Shri Ram is also believed to have passed through the place on his way to Janakpura, in present-day Nepal. The footprints of Shri Rama are worshipped in this ancient temple. The festival of Ram Navami is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety at the temple.
Nearest Airport: Patna.
Ram Mandir In Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
Bhubaneshwar, the capital of the state of Odisha in Eastern India, is known as the city of temples. There are many ancient temples dotting the city, forming a part of its rich heritage and culture.
The Ram Mandir is an important part of the skyline of the city. The prominent Shikhara of the temple is visible from different parts of the city. The temple is dedicated to Shri Ram and also has idols of Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman. There is also a shrine to Shiva, apart from other Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu pantheon.
Nearest Airport: Bhubaneshwar.
Odogaon Raghunath Temple, Odisha
Odogaon Raghunath Temple is a beautiful temple built in the Kalinga style for Shri Rama is located in the village of Odogaon in the Nayagarh district of Odisha. The temple is believed to have been built by a king of Nayagarh, named Mrityujay Singh in the year 1763.
According to legend, this was the place where the great Rishi Atri Muni performed Yagas. The idols of Ram, Lakshman, and Sita that are worshipped in the sanctum are made of Neem wood. The temple is crowned with a gold-covered Kalasa, which adds to its beauty.
Nearest Airport: Bhubaneshwar
Sri Rama Temples In India – Western India
Western India too has its share of famous Sri Ram temples. Here are some of the well-known temples located in the western part of India.
Kalaram Temple In Nashik, Maharashtra
The Kalaram Temple is a well-known Rama temple that is located in the Panchvati area of the city of Nashik. The idol Sri Ram that is worshipped in the sanctum of the temple is black in colour, hence the name, “Kalaram.” The temple dates back to the 18th century, but the idol is believed to be more than 2000 years old. When the region was overrun by Muslim invaders, the priests of the original temple threw the idol into the river before escaping. The idol was later retrieved and the current temple was built over it.
Panchvati is the place where Sri Ram along with Lakshman, and Sita, stayed for two and a half years during their 14-year exile.
Nearest Airport: Nashik
This is a list of some of the important Sri Rama temples in India. This list is in no way exhaustive, there are so many Sri Rama temples across India. Do let us know if you are aware of any unique Sri Rama temple that you would like to see on this list of top Shri Ram Temples in India. जय श्री राम |
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