SYMBOL OF RAMA KOTHANDA A 5th century terracotta sculpture depicting Rama.
Rama iconography shares elements of Vishnu avatars, but has several distinctive elements. It never has more than two hands, he holds (or has nearby) a bana (arrow) in his right hand, while he holds the dhanus (bow) in his left. The most recommended icon for him is that he be shown standing in tribhanga pose (thrice bent "S" shape). He is shown black, blue or dark color, typically wearing reddish color clothes. If his wife and brother are a part of the iconography, Lakshamana is on his left side while Sita always on the right of Rama, both of golden-yellow complexion. Philosophy and symbolism Rama's life story is imbued with symbolism. According to Sheldon Pollock, the life of Rama as told in the Indian texts is a masterpiece that offers a framework to represent, conceptualize and comprehend the world and the nature of life. Like major epics and religious stories around the world, it has been of vital relevance because it "tells the culture what it is". Rama's life is more complex than the Western template for the battle between the good and the evil, where there is a clear distinction between immortal powerful gods or heroes and mortal struggling humans. In the Indian traditions, particularly Rama, the story is about a divine human, a mortal god, incorporating both into the exemplar who transcends both humans and gods. Responding to evil A superior being does not render evil for evil, This is the maxim one should observe. The ornament of virtuous people is their conduct. A noble soul will ever exercise compassion even towards those who enjoy injuring others. —Ramayana 6.115, Valmiki(Abridged, Translator: Roderick Hindery) As a person, Rama personifies the characteristics of an ideal person (purushottama). He had within him all the desirable virtues that any individual would seek to aspire, and he fulfils all his moral obligations. Rama is considered a maryada purushottama or the best of upholders of Dharma. According to Rodrick Hindery, Book 2, 6 and 7 are notable for ethical studies. The views of Rama combine "reason with emotions" to create a "thinking hearts" approach. Second, he emphasizes through what he says and what he does a union of "self-consciousness and action" to create an "ethics of character". Third, Rama's life combines ethics with the aesthetics of living. The story of Rama and people in his life raises questions such as "is it appropriate to use evil to respond to evil?” and then provides a spectrum of views within the framework of Indian beliefs such as on karma and dharma. Rama's life and comments emphasize that one must pursue and live life fully, that all three life aims are equally important: virtue (dharma), desires (kaama), and legitimate acquisition of wealth (artha). Rama also adds, such as in section 4.38 of the Ramayana, that one must also introspect and never neglect what one's proper duties, appropriate responsibilities, true interests, and legitimate pleasures are. The epic had many versions across India's regions. The followers of Madhavacharya’s believe that an older version of the Ramayana, the Mula-Ramayana, previously existed. The Madhva tradition considers it to have been more authoritative than the version by Valmiki. Versions of the Ramayana exist in most major Indian languages; examples that elaborate on the life, deeds and divine philosophies of Rama include the epic poem Ramavataram, and the following vernacular versions of Rama's life story: Ramavataram or Kamba-Ramayanam in Tamil by the poet Kambar in Tamil (12th century) Saptakanda Ramayana in Assamese by poet Madhava Kandali (14th century) Krittivasi Ramayan in Bengali by poet Krittibas Ojha (15th century) Ramcharitmanas in Hindi by sant Tulsidas (16th-century) Pampa Ramayana, Torave Ramayana by Kumara Valmiki and Sri Ramayana Darshanam by Kuvempu in Kannada; Ramayana Kalpavruksham by Viswanatha Satyanarayana and Ramayana by Ranganatha in Telugu; Vilanka Ramayana in Odia; Eluttachan in Malayali (this text is closer to the Advaita Vedanta-inspired rendition Adhyatma Ramayana). The epic is found across India, in different languages and cultural traditions. K RAJARAM IRS 10825 On Sun, 10 Aug 2025 at 14:16, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > KOTHANDA RAMASWAMY 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's considered an Abhimana Kshethram, a temple highly > regarded by Vaishnavites, *though not one of the 108 Divya Desams*. The > temple 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-tiered Rajagopuram, > musical pillars, and exquisite sculptures. > > Today my posting is about this temple. Hope a divine reading. > > Gopalakrishnan 10-08-2025. > > Key features of the temple: > > Presiding Deity: > > Sri Kothanda Ramaswamy (Rama) with Sita, in a seated posture with his left > leg placed on his right thigh. > > Unique Idol: > > The presiding deities are depicted with two arms and 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 four pillars that produce melodic sounds when tapped, > similar to those found in the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai and > Sucheendram temple near Nagerkovil. . > > Architectural Beauty: > > The temple showcases intricate sculptures, including *a single stone > carving of a lion on top and an elephant below. * > > Pattabhisheka Scene: > > The temple is known for its depiction of Rama's coronation ceremony, with > Rama and Sita seated on a throne. > > Historical Significance: > > *The temple is believed to be the place where Lord Rama stayed overnight > with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman on his way back from Lanka, at the > request of Sage Bharadvaja.* > > Renovations: > > The temple's sanctum sanctorum was built by the Adhiyaman kings, later > renovated by the Cholas, and further expanded by Madurai Nayaka king > Tirumala Nayaka in the 17th century. > > Significance for Devotees: > > Worship and Prayers: Devotees visit the temple to pray for blessings > related to marriage, child boon, and success in education. > > Ramanavami Festival: The temple celebrates Ramanavami with great pomp and > grandeur. > > Ancient and Sacred Site: The temple is considered an ancient and sacred > site, with the sanctum sanctorum being over 1000 years old > > Introduction > > Kodandaramaswamy Temple or Pattabi Rama Temple is a Hindu temple 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 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 the god Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu. The temple is > said to be built by Bharadvaja primarily and later constructed by Adhiyaman > kings. The Raja Gopura of the temple is said to be built by Tirumala Nayaka. > > Legends > > As per Legend, after departure from his kingdom Ayodhya to the forest, the > exiled prince Rama visited the hermitage of the sage Bharadvaja. After > Rama kills the demon Ravana of Lanka who kidnaped his wife Sita, Rama > decides to return to Ayodhya. Rama is said to be so disciplined that he > visits Bharadvaja once again while traveling from Lanka to Ayodhya. Rama, > Sita, Lakshmana and Vibhishana stayed in the hermitage of Bharadvaja. > > 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 the sage and showered his blessings to Bharadvaja. > > Besides Bharadvaja, the sages Vasishta and Valmiki are said to have > worshipped here. > > After the ritual consecration of the icon of Rama, Bharadvaja built the > sanctum sanctorum and the pujas were continued by the sage and his > disciples. > > Another legend > > The localities tell an interesting story about this temple. It is believed > that after the battle with the Ravana, the Lankan king was concluded; Ram > and Sita came at this place and stayed here for one day. Vibheeshana > requested him to give the darshana in Pattabhisheka Posture. This is the > reason due to which the statue of Sita is on the left of the Rama in this > temple. The statue of Vibheeshana is standing opposite Rama and Sita. He is > offering prayers to both of them and is seen in the posture of invoking the > blessings from them. > > History > > 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.* > > Architecture > > 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. The temple is noted for its exquisite pillars. The temple has a Kodi > 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 is a protected monument. > > This temple is located towards the east with a five-tiered Rajagopuram and > a tall lamp post. Below the lamp post are the images of Garudazhvar and > Sangam Chakra. > > Dwarapalaka idols are found on both sides in front of the sanctum > sanctorum. In the sanctum sanctorum, Lord Rama is depicted in the > Pattabhisekam form. > > In the temple courtyard, facing south,there are separate shrines for > twelve Azhwars. The temple has a Maha Mandapam with 28 pillars. The > pillars in this mandapam depict Kannan 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 is believed to have > built this temple , and the image of his goddess are carved on the pillar. > All the Dasavathara scenes are carved on the single pillar in this > mandapam. Thus, the temple is an example of sculpture. The interior of this > temple 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 in the Mahamandapam are done in Clink Stone or Phonolite > stone ( sounding stone which produces metallic sound when hit at > appropriate places ). Hence different music sounds are produced when hit > at different points. Some of the sculptures are amazing. In one > sculpture while the top is that of a Lion, the bottom portion is that of an > elephant! There are similar sculptures like the Yazhi, killing of a > demon by a divine horse etc. There is one pillar in which the entire > Dasavatharam is presented! All the sculptures are massive in size > > Chief Deities > > The presiding deity, Ramaswamy (Rama), along with 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. > > Sub deities > > There are also small shrines of Vinayagar, Garudazhvar, Anjaneya and > Azhvar in this temple > > Generally, in Vaishnava temples, the mother is on the right. But in this > temple, the mother is on the left. Garudazhvar is standing nearby, > worshipping Lord Rama. > > Poojas > > Two-time pujas are held in this temple according to the Pancharatra system. > > > Religious significance and practices > > The Famous Painting of Kabandha is from this Temple's Mandapam. > > The temple is also glorified by the 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 Mandapam in this > temple in his Keerthi Mamava pattaabhirama. > > Festivals > > 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 Chaitra 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 > which celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. This festival is organized during > the Chaitra month as per the calender of the Hindus. The day of the birth > itself is celebrated in the Shukla Paksha at the Navami, that is the ninth > day of the Chaitra Month. Ramnavami is even known as the “Chaitra Masa > Suklapaksha Navami”. It marks the last day of the Chaitra Navaratri > celebrations in the temple. > > The second festival which is celebrated in this temple is the Hanuman > Jayanthi. Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated by the temple priests to > commemorate the birth of the Hanuman, the monkey god who was the ardent > devotee of Shri Rama. This festival 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. In this temple, the date of the Hanuman > Jayanti always comes in Margazhi month which is between the 15 December and > 14 January every year. People believe that Anjaneya or Hanuman was born on > Amavasya or new moon day in Margazhi month at the time of Moola Nakshatra. > > Who gave Kodanda to Lord Ram? > > Kodanda is another word for a bow, however this is commonly used to refer > to the divine bow used by Shriram. As per Aranya Kanda of Shri Valmiki > Ramayana when Shriram visited the ashram of rishi Agastya during his exile, > *rishi > Agastya gave him 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 the control of > the Hindu Endowments Department . Government of Tamilnadu. It is managed 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 > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/892435917.2427401.1754815479431%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- 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/CAL5XZoqpCVJcOBus9Xpshr8JW4ociWDGK7ydns7WCUkHKdkABw%40mail.gmail.com.
