SREERAMA TEMPLE, RAMAPURAM NEAR PALA, KOTTAYAM DISTRICT- KERALA-COMPILED Introduction
Sree Rama Temple at Ramapuram in the Kottayam District ofKerala is said to be more than 1000 years old place of worship. The temple isclassified one among the 108 Abhimana kshetrams of Vaishnavate tradition. The village got itsvery name “Ramapuram” after this Temple came into existence. There are temples for all brothers of Lord Sree Rama, namely LordLakshmana, Lord Bharatha, and Lord Sathrughna, that too, within a radius of 6kms in the same Grama Panchayath. Lord Vishnu’s incarnations in the Threthayuga are supposed tobe most important among the Avathars of the Lord. The Darshan of the fourLords, Sreerama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Sathrughna, on the same day is called“Nalambalam Darshanam”. It is the only place of worship or Temple Complex inIndia, where you can reach the four deities, which exist in a single village ata distance of total 15 kms. These temples situate in Ramapuram Grama Panchayat,in Kottayam District, Kerala State, and its importance is highlighted in the Temple survey of 1997of the Govt. of India. Inside the Sree Rama temple, adjoining to the SreeramaSreekovil, there are depicts of Siva Parvathi, and Saraswathi Devi. Separatetemples are there, for Bhagavathi (Bhadrakali), Maha Ganapathi and SreeHanuman. The total renovation of the temple are already completed ,with the help of devotees all over India and abroad. The temple is part of Nalambalam Yatra Temples in Kottayamdistrict. Lakhs of Vaishnava devotees all over India used to attend this templeduring NALAMBALA DARSHANAM in Malayalam Calendar Month – Karkidakam. Legend The deities here arethe four sons of King Dasaratha of Ramayana. Lord Ram, the eldest of them is the eighth avatar(incarnation) of LordVishnu, who is the Supreme God of the Hindus. Bharata, second amongst them, is the avatarof the Panchajanya(Conch held by Vishnu). Lakshmana is the avatar of the Adisesha, the serpent ofinfinite measures and on whom Lord Vishnu sleeps in the Ocean of Milk. Satrughna (the One who is destroyer ofenemies) is the twin bother to Lakshamana and the youngest. He is the avatar ofthe Sudarshana chakraheld by Lord Vishnu. Sree Rama proceeded towards South, through the old path,which he trekked in search of Sithadevi. At last he reached this beautifulplace, with rattling canal on the right side, smiling paddy fields in the rear,surrounded by dense forest. Hefelt it an ideal place and started his meditation. As Lakshmana, Bharatha and Sathrughna could not bear thedisappearance of their beloved brother any longer, they also left Ayodhya andpursued the path of their brother, believing that their brother would have gonetowards South. At last they found him. They said they would also sit near him.So, Lakshmana found at this wonderful land place at Koodapulam, Bharatha atAmanakara and Sathrughna at Methiri, which are Equi distant from one another. As years rolled on, four templesrose in each place in their names. My note- Lakshmanafollowed Sri Rama in search of Sita. How Bharatha and Satrugna followed Sri Rama followed is not clear. It is thelegend. History The temple is more than 1000 years old. The temple has beenrenovated a few years back. Noother details are available Architecture The structure is believed to be thousand years old. TheSreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) is in a circular shape, covered by copper with agolden finial on the top. Thidappalli and the temple well are placed in thesoutheast and northeast corners. When crossing the eastern gopuram, a 100 m (330 ft) tallgolden flagstaff is placed. In the past, it was made up of copper. The idol ofRama is made up Panchaloha, a composition of five metals. The temple pond issituated to the north, where the aarttu ceremony of Kondadu Dharmasastha templeis performed. Main deity. Lord Rama as principal deity, facing the east, who is in afour-armed form, Chathurbahu. Sub deities Bhadrakali : A SimpleTemple Dedicated to Sri.Bhadrakali is seen on the western side, 100 ft away from the main temple. Kaliin its most fearful form i.e., after beheading Darika the Demon is seen here.In olden days Velichappadu- a close devotee of the Goddess, who spoke and performand executed orders and blessings from the Kali, who present here on special occasions,with sword in hand, giggling metal belts and anklets. Kali is supposed to be Goddessof diseases especially Chicken Pox. Hence devotees perform Kalam Pattu before the Goddess's picture drawn onthe floor with help of White, Black and Red powders. The performer beats drumsand sings song in praise of Kali. Lakshmi Bhagavathi : In the left side of the sanctum - sanctorum,at a particular spot Lakshmi Pooja is performed every day. There is no idol present here. At the times of installationof Sree Rama idol the divine presence of Lakshmi was felt and hence the poojais performs from time immemorial. Snake Temple : The Idolsof Serpents installed on the southern side of Kali Temple are famous in their own form ofrepresentation. Snakes prevent and sooth skin troubles and diseases. The starAayillyam is supposed to be the serpent’s day. Kanni(ME) October Aayillyam iscelebrated by devotees. Milk, rice etc are offered. Ganapathy : This beautifulsmall temple is on theWestern side of the main temple. Here Ganapathy is believed to be very powerful as devoteesexperiences. 25 years ago the idol was stolen. But the thieves were caught redhanded by police in Wayanad, But they cut one hand and the trunk. It was got backafter 12 years. Appam, Ada, Garlands, Coconut are main offerings. Hanuman or Anjaneya : Asmall beautiful temple ofHanuman is seen in front of the temple at the very entrance. Hanuman is a verypowerful and important character in Ramayana as the main trustworthy servant ofSree Rama and he lives today also by the shear blessings of his master Devoteespray for the physical straight intelligence, unselfish service. Fruits,Garlands offerings. Siva Parvathy : On the rightside of Sree Rama, SivaParvathy idols are present, Daily pooja and Dhara are performed. Flowergarland, Dhara etc are main offerings. Dharma Sastha : Ayyappa orDharma Sastha worship isnow world-renowned form of worship. Hence the idol very close to Siva Parvathyis worshiped by a large number of devotees especially during the Sabarimalaseason. Appam, garlands, camphor, Kathina Vedi are main offerings. Rakshas and Yakshi : It isvery close to Hanuman temple. Devotees offer Milk white satin, Milk Payasam etc to find solace andcomfort during the life time. Both believes are originated out of a belief thatour dead souls have a rebirth to cast uneasiness to loving souls. Poojas Five poojas (prayer rituals) and three sheevelis are heldevery day in the temple. Morning pooja timings : Nada Thurakkal – 5 AM, Usha Pooja – 5.45 am, Ethirtha Pooja –6.30 am, Pantheerady Pooja – 7.15 am, Ucha Pooja – 9.30 am, Nada Adakkal – 10Am Evening puja timings: Nada Thurakkal – 5 PM, Deeparadhana – 6.30 pm, Athazha Pooja– 7.30 pm, Nada Adakkal – 8.00 pm Festivals The eight-day annual festival is hosted in the Malayalammonth of Meenam (i.e. March/April) on the chothi star. It is concluded by theaarattu ceremony on the Thiruvonam star, performed in the Amanakara Bharatatemple pond. Utsavabali is also an important event during the festival. SriRama Navami is another festival celebrated in large scale. Other festivals likeVishu, mandalam etc are also celebrated. Offerings To the southern side of the Kali temple is the idols of Nagas(serpents) where during the day of Aayilyam devotees offer milk, turmeric andrice to the snakes. Appam, ada, coconut are main offerings of Ganesha. Other offerings as in other temples for SriRama/Lord Vishnu. Nalambala Darsanam The temple isaccompanied by 3 other nearby shrines dedicated to Lakshmana, Bharatha andSatrughna, located within a radius of 3 km. A visit to these four templesduring the Karkidaka or Ramayana month is popularly known as NalambalaDarshanam, which brings about achievements and blessings to the devotees. Devotees should visit Sree Rama temple first. Then visitAmanakara Bharatha Temple, Koodappulam Lakshmana Temple and Methiri SathrughnaTemple. Then again visit Sree Rama temple to complete the nalambalam darsanam.The custom is to visit these temples before ucha pooja at Sri Rama Temple(around 11.30 AM). During Ramayana Masa (Karkkidakam), the visit should becompleted before 10 AM. It is strongly believed that the omnipotent gods of Nalambalaoffer solace and relief from the troubles and tribulations of life. Specialofferings to the Lords grant all your wishes and provide solace from all theillness, famine and hardship. Address Sree Rama Swami Temple, Ramapuram P. O, Kottayam District,Kerala - 686591. Ph: 04822 263100 e-mail : [email protected] Administration The temple is managed by a trust called RamapuramDevaswom consisting of three Nambudiri families of Amanakara mana, Kunnoor manaand Karanattu mana. Location The temple is located at about 1.5 km away from Ramapuramjunction on the Pala - Koothattukulam highway. It is at about 35 km fromKottayam, 12 km from Pala and 10 km from Koothattukulam. Temple Timings Sree Rama temple, Ramapuram is open from 5 AM to 10 AM andfrom 5 PM to 8 PM. During Ramayana Masa (Karkkidakam), pooja timings are from 5AM to 12 noon and 5 PM to 7:30 PM Darsan Dress code At Sree Rama temple, Ramapuram , Kerala traditional attire ispreferred. Posted by R.Gopalakrishnan on 23-09-2025. My late Periamma was residing close to temple. Ihave visited the temple in my younger days. -- 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/2058597722.2503946.1758604737183%40mail.yahoo.com.
