Ramaswamy Temple

Overview

The Ramaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. The Ramaswamy Temple depicts the Ramayana. This is the only temple where Lord Rama, Goddess Sita are in the same platform and Lord Hanuman is playing the Veena instead of reading the Ramayana. The entire deity is said to be made from Saligrama monolith.

About the Temple

The temple has a 3 story Gopuram surrounded by walls and the pillars in the hall near the Gopuram are sculpted with exquisite finesse depicting various episodes of the epic Ramayana. Each pillar is carved out of a single stone and the delicacy and intricacy of the carving and the detailing of the artwork are very prominent. Lord Rama is depicted in Vyakarna Mudra, while Hanuman is depicted holding manuscripts. The other important events like coronation of Vibishana, coronation of Sugriva, relieving Agalya from her curse and Hanuman playing Veena are also depicted. Apart from the Gopuram, the temple complex also comprises of a Maha Mandapam. The columns of Maha mandapam are enriched with intricate stone carvings depicting incidents such as Vamana Avatharam, Meenakshi Kalyanam, Sukreeva Pattabishekam and Ramayanam. Apart from the main temple, the complex also houses the Alwar Sannathi, Srinivasa Sannathi and Gopalan Sannathi. There is also a shrine for Lord Perumal with Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi in the temple. mages of the mulavigraha, at least of Sri Räma and Sri Sitä are clearly visible from the road.

About the Deity

The Main deities of Ramaswamy temple are Lord Rama, Lady Seeta, Lakshmana, and Lord Anjaneyaa. The sculptures of all the deities are said to be made from original Saligrama monolith rock. The Karuvarai, the central sanctum, of the temple houses Lord Ramaswamy in a seated with his wife Lady Seeta. The other deities surrounding them are the brothers of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Chatruguna who are standing near them and close by is Lord Hanuman sitting and worshipping Lord Rama and Seeta.

Legend and Stories

Dasaratha was sad as he had no issues to look after the kingdom after him. As advised by Guru Vasishta, he conducted a yajna called Puthrakameshti Yajna seeking child boon. To establish Dharma on Earth Lord Vishnu was born to him as Rama from his first queen Kausalya. Vishnu’s Adisesha and conch were born as Lakshmana and Satrugana to his second queen Sumitra. Bharatha representing Vishnu’s discus was born to the second queen Kaikeyi and was a symbol of Dharma himself. Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrugana were born on very auspicious days with Punarvasu, Pushya, and Aslesha as their birth stars respectively. All the four brothers were a living and practical example in human forms of the rule of Vedas. Rama and Lakshmana were close to each other while Satrugna was close to Bharatha.

Bharatha, an outstanding example of the political dharma of the days, ruled Ayodhya as its acting Governor of Rama from the Nandhi Grama placing Rama’s sandals on the throne. He ruled till the return of Rama from his exile after 14 years. Their wives excelled their husbands in upholding Dharmas. No power on earth could separate the brothers. They were united by soul and mind. Lord Sri Rama in the temple appears as on the Coronation Day in Ayodhya with his consort Mother Sita who suffered untold suffering during their exile, Lakshmana who was only happy to share the hardships of jungle life along with his brother, Bharatha and Satrugna whose sacrifice deserves all praise and Sri Anjaneya who was the soul of Rama in deciding his final victory over Ravana. After Ayodhya in U.P. this is the temple in Kumbakonam in the coronation style, a pilgrim town known for its famous temples and Theertha – Sacred waters – importance.

History of the Temple

Achutha Nayaka of Thanjavur constructed the Ramaswamy temple during 16th century. Maha Mandapam is enriched with intricate stone carving works of Rama-Katha. Vamana Avatharam, Meenakshi Kalyanam, Sukreeva Pattabishekam are some of the famous carving works of this temple. The outer Praharam consists of all 219 wall paintings, which explains the series of incidents from the great Epic "Ramayanam”. Alwar Sannathi, Srinivasa Sannathi, and Gopalan Sannathi are the other temples located within the temple complex. Ramaswamy Temple was built by King Achutha Nayaka who ruled Tanjore from 1614-1640 CE. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama, the incarnation of Vishnu who killed the ten-headed demon Ravana. King Achutha Nayaka dug a holy tank in Darasuram near Kumbakonam. During the digging they found icons of Rama and Sita in the tank. The King was overjoyed and he decided to build a temple for Rama and called it Ramaswamy Temple. The Nayak king’s Prime Minister Govinda Dikshitar, called Govinda Ayyan, constructed the temple. He added a commercial corridor between this new temple and the older Chakrapani Temple.

Festivals

Sri Rama Navami is celebrated in the temple with special pujas in March-April – Panguni Tamil month. On the Masi Maga day in February-March, Lord Sri Rama and Mother Sita visit the Maga Magam Temple Tank for a bath and offer Theertha Prasad to devotees.

Significance

Those facing obstacles in their wedding proposals pray here as Lord and Mother appear in their wedding posture. In Ayodhya, they appear in coronation style. Devotes perform Thirumanjanam to Lord and offer vastras.

Nearby Place To Visit

Andalakkum Aiyan Temple
Padikasu Nathar Temple
Gajendra Varadhan Temple
Hara Shaba Vimochana Perumal Temple
Appakudathan Temple
Adhivaraha Perumal Temple

Accessibility

The temple is at the southern end of the Big Bazaar Street in Kumbakonam linked by road and rail from all corners of the state. The closest railways are in Kumbakonam and the closest airport is in Trichy.

Temple Address

Arulmigu Ramaswamy Temple,
Kumbakonam,
Thanjavur,
Pincode -612 001.