Kodandaramaswamy Temple, Ayodhyapatinam

Kodandaramaswamy Kovil
Kodandaramaswamy Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Salem district
Deity	Kodandaramaswamy (Rama), Seethalakshmi (Sita)
Location
Location	Ayodhyapattinam
State	Tamil Nadu
Country	India
Architecture
Type	Dravidian architecture
Creator	Vijayanagara dynasty

Kodandaramaswamy Temple or Pattabi Rama Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is glorified by Maharishi Valmiki, Vasishta, Bharadvaja and classified as one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams of the Vaishnavate tradition. This temple is called as the Dakshina Ayodhya(Ayodhya of South India). The temple is constructed in the South Indian style of architecture, dedicated to Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu. The temple is said to be built by Maharishi Bharadvaja Primarily and later constructed by Adhiyaman kings. The Raja Gopura of the temple is said to be built by Tirumala Nayaka. ^[1]

Though the temple has historic roots, most of the present campus structure was rebuilt after the 14th century CE, further repaired, renovated and expanded in the 17th century by Madurai Nayaka king Tirumala Nayaka, a vassal of the Vijayanagara Empire. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and the temple tank. There is a five-tiered rajagopuram , the temple's gateway tower. This structure is now maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, follows the Pancharatra agama.

Legend

Rama, seetha and Lakshmana staying in the Ashrama located here

As per Legend, After Rama's departure from Ayodhya to the forest, Rama visited the hermitage of Sage Bharadvaja on his way. After Rama kills the Demon Ravana who kidnaped Sita (also mentioned in Tamil Sangam Literature), ^{[2] [3]} Rama decides to leave for Ayodhya and Valmiki mentions Rama is so disciplined that he visits Bharadvaja once again while traveling from Lanka to Ayodhya. ^[4] Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Vibishana Stayed in the Bharadvaja Maharishi Ashrama and the monkeys where stayed and roamed around the mountains. The great Rishi Bharadvaja wanted to see the divine coronation ceremony of Rama, he advised Rama to start his coronation here and complete it in Ayodhya. Rama wanted to full-fill the wishes of Maharishi and he showered his blessings to Bharadvaja maharishi and later the ritual consecration of the religious Archa roopam (Image of Rama) was taken place by the Rishi itself, he built the sanctum sanctorum and the pujas were continued by Bhardvaja and his Students. ^{[1] [5] [6]}

Architechture

Sculpted Pillars of the Temple.

The temple has granite walls enclosing all the shrines and pierced by a five-tiered Raja Gopuram , the gateway tower. The temple is noted for its exquisite pillars. The presiding deity, Ramaswamy and Sita is sported with two arms seated in the central shrine in an elevated structure with Bharata, Lakshmana, Shatrughna, Hanuman, Vibhishana, Bharadvaja and Vasishta serving and worshiping them. ^[1] The sanctum sanctorum is constructed by the Athiyamān kings, ^[7] and later renovated by the Cholas and renovated and expanded in the 17th century by Madurai Nayaka king Tirumala Nayaka, a vassal of the Vijayanagara Empire. The temple has a Kodi Maram and a Garuda Sthambam, There are shrines dedicated for Sudarshana, Alvars, Hanuman and Andal. The temple has a Very old Chariot which was sculpted in wood with wonderful architecture and is a protected monument. ^[1]

Religious significance and practices

The Famous Painting of Kabandha is from this Temple's Mandapam.

The Temple is worshiped by the Great Rishis like Vasishta, Bharadvaja and Valmiki and also has the foot Prints of Rama, Valmiki mentions Rama staying in Bharadvaja Maharishi's Ashrama and mentioned the geography of the area as a green place with thousands of trees which gave several fruits. The temple is said to give the same amount of good deeds as the Ayodhya in North and hence called as "Dakshina Ayodhya", This Place has the boon of Bharadvaja and hence gives so much Positive Vibrations and tons of Supernatural Blessings. This temple is even glorified by the great composer Muthuswami Dikshitar in his Kshethra keerthis of Rama, He describes the beauty of Rama, Sita seated in the throne and worshiped by Bharata, Lakshmana, Shatrughna, Hanuman, Vibhishana, and Vasishta in the sanctum sanctorum, and the wonderful Mandapam in this temple in his keerthi Maamava paTTaabhiraama. ^[8] The festivals associated with Vishnu like Vaikunta Ekadasi, Krishna Janmashtami, Ramanavami and Adi Pooram are celebrated in the temple. The prime temple festival, the Brahmotsavam takes place every year in the month of Chithra for 10 days, celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. ^[9]

References

1. "Travel Articles | Travel Blogs | Travel News & Information | Travel Guide | India.comSri Kodandapani Ramar temple in Tamil Nadu: 7 interesting facts you should know this Ram Navami | India.com". www.india.com.
2. Hart, George L; Heifetz, Hank (1999). The four hundred songs of war and wisdom : an anthology of poems from classical Tamil : the Puṟanāṉūṟu . Columbia University Press. pp.  219-220. ISBN   9780231115629.
3. Kalakam, Turaicămip Pillai, ed. (1950). Purananuru. Madras.
4. "Valmiki Ramayana - Yuddha Kanda - Sarga 124". www.valmikiramayan.net. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
5. "Treasure trove of sculptures and paintings". The Hindu. 18 June 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
6. https://www.salemonline.in/city-guide/kothandaramar-temple
7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F236ehpmOs
8. https://www.karnatik.com/c1188.shtml
9. https://www.salemonline.in/city-guide/kothandaramar-temple

11°40′29″N78°14′19″E / 11.6748°N 78.2385°E / 11.6748; 78.2385