Tirumala Rama Idol

Last updated

Idols of Rama (center) with his wife Sita (left) and brother Lakshmana (right) in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple as seen during Vasanthotsavam festival Rama in Tirumala.jpg
Idols of Rama (center) with his wife Sita (left) and brother Lakshmana (right) in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple as seen during Vasanthotsavam festival

Tirumala Rama idol is one of the deities in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh. While the temple is dedicated to worship of lord Vishnu as Venkateswara, it contains the idols of some of Vishnu's other avatars: Rama and Krishna. The idol is usually accompanied by his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana.

Contents

Legend of the idols

The Vasishta Ramayana relates that Sri Rama appeared to Sage Viswambara on the banks of as the Vaigai river. The sage was performing penance to get a vision of Sri Rama. In his vision, Rama and Lakshmana are seen with their bows in a standing posture, talking to Sugriva, Angada and Hanuman. The vision depicts the act of Rama granting protection to Vibhishana, brother of Ravana. Rama tells his monkey-king friend Sugriva that he was granting protection to Vibishana as well as extending his friendship to the Lanka prince. In the vision, Sugriva is seen with folded hands praying to Rama to reconsider his decision, reminding that Vibishana was Ravana's brother and Rama was accepting "the deadly enemy's brother" as a friend. Hanuman is seen with his right hand covering his mouth, in a stance of paying respect to Sri Rama. The monkey-prince Angada is seen pointing his finger towards the southern sky indicating the arrival of Vibhishana. [1]

Having seen this vision, Sage Viswambara orders for the panchaloha idols of Rama and Lakshmana with the idols of Sugriva, Hanuman and Angada in the same postures as seen in his vision and installed these idols on the banks of the river and worshiped them. After being worshiped for a long time in that place, Sri Rama appeared in the dream of a devotee asking him to take the idols to Tiruvengadam (then the name of Tirumala) as the Vaigai city was experiencing strife and unrest. The idols were brought to the foothills of Tiruvengadam and shown to Ramanuja and Tirumalai Nambi who were studying the Ramayana at that time. In an act considered divine coincidence, Ramanuja and Tirumala Nambi were studying the chapter of the epic related to Vibhishana seeking refuge with Sri Rama, who accepts him against the wishes of Sugriva and others. [2]

Ramanuja and Tirumala Nambi were struck at the coincidence and decided to make an idol of Sita. After performing the ritual of celestial marriage between Rama and Sita, the idols were installed in the newly constructed hall, Ramar Medai (Rama's elevated platform) in the Tirumala temple. [3]

Rama idol

The idol of Lord Rama in Tirumala is referred to as Sri Raghunatha, Lord of Raghu (clan). Lord Rama is seen in a stanaka (standing pose) and is described as being in the madhyama tala and tribhanga pose. [4] The left arm of the idol is raised to hold his bow and the right arm slopes downwards to hold the arrow. The face is tilted to the right side slightly and is capped by a crown that accentuates the tilt. The feet are set wide on a lotus pedestal with the left foot overshooting it.

The idol is usually seen with a bow in the left hand of the Lord and a crescent end arrow in the right arm. The bow is curved at the edges and on the top side has five bells.

Sita idol

The idol of Sita is always seen on the right hand side of Lord Rama. The idol rests on a lotus pedestal and has the right arm by the side and the left arm holding a lotus bud. The idol of Sita does not have a crown.

Lakshmana idol

The idol of Lakshmana is always placed on the left hand side of Rama. The idol is a smaller but mostly similar replica of Lord Rama. While the posture (madhyama tala and tribhanga pose) is similar to his elder brother, the idol differs from Lord Rama in a few ways. The head is held erect and is not tilted. The feet are set closer to each other and rests fully on the pedestal. The idol is seen with the head slightly bent downwards, as mark of respect to his elder brother.

Hanuman deity

The deity of Hanuman is usually kept sideways on to the right side of Lord Rama. The idol stands on a pedestal and has Rama's favorite disciple in a wide-eyed expression indicating his ever-present enthusiasm to serve his Lord. In addition, the right hand is bent at the elbow and touches the mouth in a posture than conveys Hanuman's mark of respect for Rama. The left hand is in the Katyavalambita pose (left palm closed and resting on the waist and the outer side of the palm is seen to the onlookers)

Deity history

There are no records on the exact date when the idol was consecrated but the earliest record of the deities in any inscription dates to 1476 A.D. [4] However, it is widely agreed that the idols might have been installed Ramarmedai (Rama Hall) was built in 1245 A.D. and hence the name of the room.

A different school of thought believes that the idols were installed by Sri Ramanuja. [4]

Seva to idols

The idols in the Swami Pushkarini mandapam during the Teppotsavam festival Rama (Teppotsavam).jpg
The idols in the Swami Pushkarini mandapam during the Teppotsavam festival

The idol of Sri Raghunatha does not receive main attention in the daily prayers of the temple. Even the daily naivedyam to the idol is offered to the main deity before attributing it to the Rama idol. The same practice is followed for the Krishna idol in the temple. During the annual Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam (cleansing of the temple), the idols are removed from the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) and replaced after the place is cleaned and consecrated with holy spices. [5]

The Rama idol receives direct offerings outside the garbha griha on occasions.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lakshmana</span> Younger brother and close companion of the Hindu god Rama

Lakshmana, also spelled as Laxmana, is the younger brother of Rama and his loyalist in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He bears the epithets of Saumitra and Ramanuja. He is the twin of Shatrughna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sugriva</span> Vanara king and Ramas companion in Ramayana

Sugriva is a character In the ancient Indian epic Ramayana. He is the younger brother of Vali, whom he succeeded as ruler of the vanara kingdom of Kishkindha. Rumā is his wife. He is a son of Surya, the Hindu deity of the sun. As the king of the vanaras, Sugriva aided Rama in his quest to liberate his wife Sita from captivity at the hands of the rakshasa king Ravana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indrajit</span> Son of Ravana in the epic Ramayana

Meghanada, also referred to by his epithet Indrajitalit.'conqueror of Indra', according to Hindu texts, was a son of Ravana and the crown prince of Lanka, who conquered Indraloka (Heaven). He is regarded as one of the greatest warriors in Hindu texts. He is a major character mentioned in the Indian epic Ramayana. Meghanada is the central character in Bengali ballad Meghnad Badh Kavya. He played an active role in the great war between Rama and Ravana. He acquired many kinds of celestial weapons from his Guru Shukra. His most prominent feat is having defeated the devas in heaven. Using the Brahmastra, Indrajita killed 670 million vanaras in a single day; nearly exterminating the entirety of the vanara race. No warrior had ever achieved this statistical feat before in the Ramayana. He is the only warrior in the entire Ramayana to defeat both Rama and Lakshmana twice while they were both armed by making them unconscious in a battle with the help of astras and sorcery. He was said to be more powerful and superior warrior than his father Ravana by Brahma and Agastya. He is the only warrior in the entire Hindu text to possess all three "Trimurti astras", namely, Brahmastra, Vaishnavastra, and Pashupatastra.

<i>Ramcharitmanas</i> Awadhi poem about Rama by Tulsidas

Ramcharitmanas, is an epic poem (Mahakavya) in the Awadhi language, based on the Ramayana, and composed by the 16th-century Indian bhakti poet Tulsidas. This work is also called, in popular parlance, Tulsi Ramayana, Tulsikrit Ramayana, Tulsidas Ramayana or simply Manas. The word Ramcharitmanas literally means "Lake of the deeds of Rama". It is considered one of the greatest works of Hindu literature. The work has variously been acclaimed as "the living sum of Indian culture", "the tallest tree in the magic garden of medieval Indian poetry", "the greatest book of all devotional literature" and "the best and most trustworthy guide to the popular living faith of the Indian people".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala</span> Hindu temple in Andhra Pradesh, India

The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala at Tirupati in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Temple is dedicated to Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared on the earth to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. Hence the place has also got the name Kaliyuga Vaikuntha and the deity here is referred to as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam. The temple is also known by other names like Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple and Tirupati Balaji Temple. Venkateswara is known by many other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa. The temple is run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which is under control of Andhra Pradesh Government. The head of TTD is appointed by Andhra Pradesh Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tirumala Krishna Idol</span> Idol in Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh, India

Tirumala Krishna idol is one of the idols in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh, India. While the temple is dedicated to worship of lord Vishnu as Venkateswara, it contains the idols of some of Vishnu's other avatars - Krishna and Rama. The temple also has the idol of Rukmini, wife of Lord Krishna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vasanthotsavam</span>

Vasanthotsavam is an annual Seva celebrated in Tirumala to celebrate the arrival of spring season.

Sri Venkateshwara Swami Temple is a landmark vaishnavite temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala at Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to be appeared here to save mankind from the trials and troubles of Kali Yuga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tara (Ramayana)</span> Queen of Kishkindha and wife of the monkey (vanara) King Vali in Hindu epic Ramayana

In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Tara is the Queen of Kishkindha and the wife of the monkey (vanara) King Vali. After being widowed, she becomes the Queen of Sugriva, Vali's younger brother.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eri-Katha Ramar Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Eri-Katha Raamar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Rama located in the town of Maduranthakam, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is glorified by Ramanujar, Thirumalisai Alvar and classified as one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams of the Vaishnavate tradition. This is the sthalam (place) where Udayavar was named Ramanuja. The temple is also known by other names such as - Mathuranthaka Chaturvedi Mangalam, Vaikunda Varthanam, Thirumathurai, Thirumanthira Tirupathi, Karunagara Vilagam. Thirumalisai Alvar attained siddhi (enlightenment) in this sthalam (place). Also, Sri Ramanujar was instructed the Pancha Samskara Mantram at this place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kodandarama Temple, Hiremagalur</span> Hindu temple in Karnataka, India

Kodandaramaswami Temple is a Hindu shrine located at Hiremagalur near Chikkamagaluru, in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, India. The temple deity is called Kodandarama, as Rama, and his brother Lakshmana are depicted holding arrows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lakshmi Kumara Tatacharya</span> Hindu saint and royal preceptor

Lakshmi Kumara Tatacharya, (1571–1643) was a prominent saint and guru of the Sri Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. He served as the rajaguru for a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, Venkatapati Raya. He was also the overseer of a number of sacred temples known as the Divya Desams, including Srirangam, Kanchipuram, Tirumala, Melkote, and Srivilliputtur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramchaura Mandir</span> Hindu temple in India

The Ramchaura Mandir is a Hindu temple in the city of Hajipur, Bihar, India. Dedicated to Lord Rama, it is located at Rambhadra near Helabazar. According to local folklore, it has been in existence since the Ramayana period; Rama is believed to have visited this place on his way to Janakpur, where his footprints are worshiped. The Ramchaura Mandir has a tradition of celebrating Rama Navami, the birth anniversary of Rama, every year. A small fair is also organised on the eve of Rama Navami.

Ramleela – Ajay Devgn Ke Saath, commonly known as Ramleela is a mythological on-stage musical drama, based on the famous Indian epic poem Ramayan. The show premiered on 21 October 2012 on Life OK and completed the story in five episodes on 18 November 2012. The show was narrated by Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, who provided a prologue at the beginning of each episode or act. The show aired during the period from Dussehra in October till Diwali in November.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kodandarama Temple, Tirupati</span> Hindu temple in India

Sri Kodandaramaswamy Temple is one of the famous temples, after Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, in the holy city of Tirupati located in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama an incarnation of Vishnu along with Sita and Lakshmana. The temple also has a sub-shrine for Anjaneya the mount of Lord Sri Rama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta</span> Hindu temple in Vontimitta, India

Kodandarama Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Rama, located in Vontimitta town in Vontimitta Mandalam of Kadapa District in the Indian state of Andhra. The temple, an example of Vijayanagara architectural style, is dated to the 16th century. It is stated to be the largest temple in the region. It is located at a distance of 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Kadapa and is close to Rajampet. The temple and its adjoining buildings are one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance.

<i>Sri Rama Pattabhishekam</i> Film directed by N. T. Rama Rao

Sri Rama Pattabhishekam is a 1978 Indian Telugu-language Hindu mythological film directed and produced by N. T. Rama Rao under Ramakrishna Cine Studios banner. Based on the Ramayana, the film stars Rama Rao, Jamuna and Sangeeta, with music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao.

<i>Siya Ke Ram</i> Indian mythological television series based on Ramayana

Siya Ke Ram is an Indian TV series on Star Plus produced by Nikhil Sinha under the banner of Triangle Film Company. This show presents the epic Ramayana, the story of Rama and Devi Sita from Sita's perspective. The show features Madirakshi Mundle and Ashish Sharma playing as Goddess Sita and Lord Rama, respectively, and Karthik Jayaram as Raavan. It premiered on 16 November 2015 and ended on 4 November 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kothandaramar temple, Vaduvur</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Kothandaramar Temple is a Hindu temple located in Vaduvur, Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to Rama, the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu. The temple is glorified by Maharishi Valmiki 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). This temple one of Pancha Rama Kshethrams. All these temples are said to be particular locations mentioned in Ramayana.

References

  1. VV, Ramanujam (1 February 1980). "Sri Rama in the Tirumala Temple". TTD Sapthagiri. 47: 32.
  2. VV, Ramanujam (1 May 1989). "Sri Rama in the Tirumala Temple". TTD Sapthagiri. 47: 26.
  3. VV, Ramanujam (1 November 1987). "Sri Rama in the Tirumala Temple". TTD Sapthagiri. 47: 15.
  4. 1 2 3 Dr N Ramesan (1981). The Tirumala Temple. Tirumala: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. ISBN   81-85427-95-X.
  5. "Annual Seva". TTD. Archived from the original on 16 May 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2007.
  6. "Annual Seva". TTD. Archived from the original on 16 May 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2007.
  7. "Annual Seva". TTD. Archived from the original on 16 May 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2007.
  8. "News in Brief: Tirumala Rama Navami Programme". The Hindu . 24 March 2006. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2007.