KOTHANDARAMASWAMY TEMPLE, AYOTHIA PATTINAM,SALEM-TAMILNADU-COMPILED Dear friends,
The Sri Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple in Ayothiapattinam, Salem,is a significant Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Rama, also known as Pattabiramar. It'sconsidered an Abhimana Kshethram, a temple highly regarded by Vaishnavites, though not one of the 108 Divya Desams. Thetemple is famous for its unique idol of Rama seated with Sita, surrounded by Bharata, Lakshmana, Shatrughna, Hanuman, Vibhishana,Bharadvaja, and Vasishta. The temple is also known for its five-tieredRajagopuram, musical pillars, and exquisite sculptures. Today my posting is about this temple. Hope a divine reading. Gopalakrishnan 10-08-2025. Key features of thetemple: Presiding Deity: Sri Kothanda Ramaswamy (Rama) with Sita, in a seated posturewith his left leg placed on his right thigh. Unique Idol: The presiding deities aredepicted with two armsand are seated on an elevated structure, surrounded by other important figures. Five-Tiered Rajagopuram: The towering gateway is a prominent feature of the temple. Musical Pillars: The temple boasts fourpillars that produce melodic sounds when tapped, similar to those found in the MeenakshiSundareswarar Temple in Madurai and Sucheendram temple near Nagerkovil. . Architectural Beauty: The temple showcases intricate sculptures, including a single stone carving of a lion ontop and an elephant below. Pattabhisheka Scene: The temple is known for its depiction of Rama's coronationceremony, with Rama and Sita seated on a throne. Historical Significance: The temple is believed tobe the place where Lord Rama stayed overnight with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanumanon his way back from Lanka, at the request of Sage Bharadvaja. Renovations: The temple's sanctum sanctorum was built by the Adhiyamankings, later renovated by the Cholas, and further expanded by Madurai Nayakaking Tirumala Nayaka in the 17th century. Significance for Devotees: Worship and Prayers: Devotees visit the temple topray for blessings related to marriage, child boon, and success in education. Ramanavami Festival: The temple celebrates Ramanavami withgreat pomp and grandeur. Ancient and Sacred Site: The temple is considered an ancientand sacred site, with the sanctum sanctorum being over 1000 years old Introduction Kodandaramaswamy Temple or Pattabi Rama Temple is a Hindutemple located in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is glorified by Valmiki,Vasishta, Bharadvaja and classified as one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams ofthe Vaishnavate tradition. This temple is called as the Dakshina Ayodhya (Ayodhya ofSouth India). The templeis constructed in the South Indian style of architecture, dedicated to the godRama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu. The temple is said to bebuilt by Bharadvaja primarily and later constructed by Adhiyaman kings. TheRaja Gopura of the temple is said to be built by Tirumala Nayaka. Legends As per Legend, after departure from his kingdom Ayodhya tothe forest, the exiled princeRama visited the hermitage of the sage Bharadvaja. After Rama kills thedemon Ravana of Lanka who kidnaped his wife Sita, Rama decides to return toAyodhya. Rama is said to be sodisciplined that he visits Bharadvaja once again while traveling from Lanka toAyodhya. Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Vibhishana stayed in the hermitage ofBharadvaja. Bharadvaja wanted to see the coronation ceremony of Rama;he advised Rama to start his coronation here and complete it in Ayodhya. Rama acceded to the wishes of thesage and showered his blessings to Bharadvaja. Besides Bharadvaja, the sages Vasishta and Valmiki are saidto have worshipped here. After the ritual consecration of the icon of Rama, Bharadvajabuilt the sanctum sanctorum and the pujas were continued by the sage and hisdisciples. Another legend The localities tell an interesting story about this temple.It is believed that after the battle with the Ravana, the Lankan king wasconcluded; Ram and Sita came at this place and stayed here for one day.Vibheeshana requested him to give the darshana in Pattabhisheka Posture. Thisis the reason due to which the statue of Sita is on the left of the Rama inthis temple. The statue of Vibheeshana is standing opposite Rama and Sita. Heis offering prayers to both of them and is seen in the posture of invoking theblessings from them. History Though the temple has historic roots, most of the presentcampus structure was rebuiltafter the 14th century CE, further repaired, renovated and expanded in the 17thcentury by Madurai Nayaka king Tirumala Nayaka, a vassal of the VijayanagaraEmpire. Architecture A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all theshrines and the temple tank. There is a five-tiered rajagopuram, the temple'sgateway tower. The temple is noted for its exquisite pillars. The temple has aKodi Maram and a Garuda Sthambam, There are shrines dedicated for Sudarshana,Alvars, Hanuman and Andal. The temple has an old chariot of wood. The temple isa protected monument. This temple is located towards the east with a five-tieredRajagopuram and a tall lamp post. Below the lamp post are the images ofGarudazhvar and Sangam Chakra. Dwarapalaka idols are found on both sides in front of thesanctum sanctorum. In the sanctum sanctorum, Lord Rama is depicted in thePattabhisekam form. In the temple courtyard, facing south,there are separateshrines for twelve Azhwars. The temple has a Maha Mandapam with 28 pillars. The pillars in this mandapam depictKannan bathing with the Gopis, Pallikonda Perumal in the ocean of milk, Rama's coronation scene,and Bharatha Shatrughna sculpture. The image of Tirumala Nayak , who isbelieved to have built this temple , and the image of his goddess are carved onthe pillar. All the Dasavathara scenes are carved on the single pillar in thismandapam. Thus, the temple is an example of sculpture. The interior of thistemple has paintings depicting Gajendra Moksham , Kannan's childhood mischief,etc. There are temple ponds and temple chariots. There are 28 ornate pillars in the Mahamandapam. Most of the sculptures including pillars inthe Mahamandapam are done in Clink Stone or Phonolite stone ( sounding stonewhich produces metallic sound when hit at appropriate places ). Hence different music sounds are producedwhen hit at different points. Some ofthe sculptures are amazing. In onesculpture while the top is that of a Lion, the bottom portion is that of anelephant! There are similar sculptureslike the Yazhi, killing of a demon by a divine horse etc. There is one pillar in which the entireDasavatharam is presented! All thesculptures are massive in size Chief Deities The presiding deity,Ramaswamy (Rama), along with Sita, is sported with two arms seated in thecentral shrine in an elevated structure with Bharata, Lakshmana, Shatrughna,Hanuman, Vibhishana, Bharadvaja and Vasishta serving and worshiping them. Sub deities There are also small shrines of Vinayagar, Garudazhvar,Anjaneya and Azhvar in this temple Generally, in Vaishnavatemples, the mother is on the right. But in this temple, the mother is on theleft. Garudazhvar isstanding nearby, worshipping Lord Rama. Poojas Two-time pujas are held inthis temple according to the Pancharatra system. Religious significanceand practices The Famous Painting of Kabandha is from this Temple'sMandapam. The temple is also glorified by the composer Muthuswami Dikshitar in his Kshethrakeerthis of Rama.He describes the beauty of Rama, Sita seated in thethrone and worshiped by Bharata, Lakshmana, Shatrughna, Hanuman, Vibhishana,and Vasishta in the sanctum sanctorum, and the Mandapam in this temple in his KeerthiMamava pattaabhirama. Festivals The festivals associated with Vishnu like Vaikunta Ekadasi, KrishnaJanmashtami, Ramanavami and Adi Pooram are celebrated in the temple. The prime temple festival, the Brahmotsavam takes place every year in the month ofChaitra for 10 days around Ramanavami, which celebrates the birth of Rama. As it a temple of Rama and Sita, it celebrates Ram Navami for 10 days whichcelebrates the birth of Lord Rama. This festival is organized during theChaitra month as per the calender of the Hindus. The day of the birth itself iscelebrated in the Shukla Paksha at the Navami, that is the ninth day of theChaitra Month. Ramnavami is even known as the “Chaitra Masa SuklapakshaNavami”. It marks the last day of the Chaitra Navaratri celebrations in thetemple. The second festival which is celebrated in this temple is theHanuman Jayanthi.Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated by the temple priests to commemorate the birth ofthe Hanuman, the monkey god who was the ardent devotee of Shri Rama. Thisfestival is celebrated on the 15th day after Shukla Paksha in the Chitra Month.The day is also known as the Chaitra Poornima as per the Hindu Calender. Inthis temple, the date of the Hanuman Jayanti always comes in Margazhi monthwhich is between the 15 December and 14 January every year. People believe thatAnjaneya or Hanuman was born on Amavasya or new moon day in Margazhi month atthe time of Moola Nakshatra. Who gave Kodanda to Lord Ram? Kodanda is another word for a bow, however this is commonlyused to refer to the divine bow used by Shriram. As per Aranya Kanda of ShriValmiki Ramayana when Shriram visited the ashram of rishi Agastya during hisexile, rishi Agastya gavehim multiple weapons including a divine bow. Timings Morning: 7.00 am-12.00 pm Evening: 5.00 pm-8.30 pm Address: Sree Rama temple, Ayothiyapattinam, Salem - 636014 Location The temple is located 10 km from the old Salem bus stand. Administration The temple is classified as a complex temple and is under thecontrol of the Hindu Endowments Department . Government of Tamilnadu. It ismanaged by a non-hereditary trustee body. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/892435917.2427401.1754815479431%40mail.yahoo.com.
