Ramapuram Sree Rama Temple
Sree Rama Swami Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Ramapuram village in Meenachil tehsil and near Pala in Kottayam district in the Indian state of Kerala. The temple has Lord Rama as principal deity, facing the east, who is in the form of "Chathurbahu" (four-armed).[1] It is managed by a trust called Ramapuram Devaswom consisting of three Nambudiri families of Amanakara mana, Kunnoor mana and Karanattu mana.[2]
| Ramapuram Sree Rama Swami Temple | |
|---|---|
രാമപുരം ശ്രീരാമസ്വാമി ക്ഷേത്രം | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Kottayam |
| Deity | Rama |
| Festivals | Thiruvutsavam in Meenam |
| Governing body | Ramapuram Devaswom |
| Location | |
| Location | Ramapuram |
| State | Kerala |
| Country | India |
  Location within Kerala | |
| Geographic coordinates | 9°45′49.43″N 76°40′59.6″E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Traditional Kerala style |
| Website | |
| http://www.nalambalam.org | |
Location
The temple is located 1.5 km (0.93 mi) away from Ramapuram junction on the Pala - Koothattukulam highway. It is about 35 km from Kottayam, 17 km from Thodupuzha, 12 km from Pala and 10 km from Koothattukulam.
Temple
The structure is believed to be thousand years old. The Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) is in a circular shape, covered by copper with a golden finial on the top. "Thidappalli" and temple well are placed in the southeast and northeast cornerns. When crossing the eastern gopuram, a 100 m (330 ft) tall golden flagstaff is placed. In the past, it was made up of copper. The idol of Rama is made up Panchaloha, a composition of five metals. The temple pond is situated to the north, where the aarttu ceremony of Kondadu Dharmasastha temple is performed.[2] The temple is accompanied by 3 other nearby shrines dedicated to Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna, located within a radius of 3 km (1.9 mi).[3] A visit to these four temples during the "Karkidaka" or Ramayana month is popularly known as "Nalambala Darshanam", which brings about achievements and blessings to the devotees.[4][5]
Legend
The legend says that Lord Rama (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) left his kingdom of Ayodhya and reached the present Ramapuram village through the route which he used to find his spouse Sita during the fourteen years of exile. He found the place as an ideal spot for meditation. His brothers found him missing and they went in search for him towards south. When they found him meditating in a serene place, they too sat besides him and meditated. Lakshmana at Koodapulam, Bharata at Amanakara and Satrughna at Methiri. When time passed, separate shrines for them arose in the spots where they meditated and it was famed as "Nalambalam".[3]
Deity
Apart from Lord Rama, the temple have other subordinate deities. Shrines of Lord Sastha and Dakshinamurty are placed in the south of Sreekovil. The complex also have the shrines of Goddess Bhardakali, Lord Ganapathi, Hanuman, Brahmarakshas and Yakshiyamma.[2]
Poojas
Five poojas and three "Sheevelis" are held every day in the temple.[2]
Festival
The eight day annual festival is hosted in the Malayalam month of Meenam (i.e. March/April) on the chothi star. It is concluded by the aarattu ceremony on the Thiruvonam star, performed in the Amanakara Bharata temple pond.[1] "Utsavabali" is also an important event during the festival.[2]
References
- "Ramapuram Sree Rama Temple". www.vaikhari.org. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- Biju Mathew, ed. (2013). Pilgrimage to Temple Heritage, Volume 1. Kerala, India: Biju Mathew, Info Kerala Communications Pvt Ltd. p. 170. ISBN 819212844X – via Volume 1.
- "Welcome to www.nalambalam.org". www.nalambalam.org. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- "Kottayam-Rama Temple-Oldest Temple in India-Nalambalam Darshanam". www.templeadvisor.com. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
- Correspondent, Special. "Nalambala Darshan at Ramapuram". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 December 2016.