Significance of Rama in South India

Rāma Navamī greetings to all! May Shrī Rāma and Jānakī give us strength to fight great battles and bless us throughout our lives.

Rāma is an important Deity in Hinduism, He is worshipped everywhere, but still the significance of Rāma in South India is questioned. This is a detailed post showing Rāma’s significance in South India.



In South India Rāma is known by many names:

Rāma

Rāmachandra

Rāmamūrthy

Rāmakrishna

Rāmaswāmy

Sītārāma

Kothandarāma

Kalyānarāma

Pattābhirāma

Shivarāma

Dasaratharāma

Jayarāma

Rāghava

Rāmabhadra

Jānakīrāma

Rājendra

Raghupungavāya

Kodandapāni

Jānakīvallabha

The list continues.


Also, there are many famous temples of Rāma in south India. Few examples are:

Sītā Rāmachandraswāmy Temple, Telangana

Also known as Bhadrāchalam Temple, it is located in the Hindu Pilgrimage site of Telangana the temple derives its name from the city called Bhadrachalam. It is one of the most famous temples of Lord Rāma, situated on the banks of Godavari River. It is 300 km far from the state capital, Hyderabad. The composer of popular Carnatic music, named as Kancherla Gopanna is is known to have constructed the temple. It is believed to be 400 years old and is sacred place that attracts lakhs of devotees around the world. Lord Rāma, Goddess Sītā, and Lakshmana are the main gods and goddesses of the temple with Vaikuntha Ekādashi and Srī Rāma Navamī being the tempting festivals celebrated here.




 Parnasāla in Bhadrachalam has great importance in the events related to Rāmāyana. It is believed that this is one of the places where Lord Rāma along with Lakshmana and Sītā spent some time during their exile. The name Parnasāla translates to a hut made of leaves. A stream runs nearby and is called Sītā Vagu. It is believed that Sītā used to take bath here. Many instances from the epic are said to have taken place here, like the story of golden deer which led to Sita’s abduction.


Rāmaswāmy Temple, Tamil Nadu.

The temple dates back to the 16th century and is embellished with finest stone carvings. The temple of Lord Rāma is located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. It was constructed 400 years back during the time of Achyuta Nāyaka. The temple has a 3-tiered gopuram and Kalasams on the top. The main temple portrays the image of Rāma sitting with Sītā. There are also images of Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna standing on their feet and Hanumān is seen praying.


Triprayar Srī Rāma Temple, Kerala

Triprayar Sri Rāma Temple is situated in the colourful city of Kerala called Thrissur. Lord Rāma is worshipped as Triprāyarappan or Triprāyar Thevar. He has four arms. The sub deities of the temple are Hanumān, Ganapathy, Dakshināmūrthy and Sāstha (Ayyappa). Devotees go on the Nalambalam pilgrimage visiting the temples of Rāma, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna.



Kodandarāmaswāmi Temple, Chikkamangaluru.

Kodandarāmaswāmi Temple is located in the hill station of Chikkamangaluru in Karnataka. It is 250 km from Bangalore. The temple derives its name from Kodandarāma as Rāma, and his brother Lakshmana are portrayed holding the arrows. In accordance with the ancient story or Sthala Purana, Lord Rāma suppressed proud man called Purushottama at Hiremagalur, a village in Karnataka. At the request of Purushottama, Rāma showed him the scene of His (Rāma’s) marriage. That is why Sītā is seen standing to Rāma’s right side and Lakshmana to His left, as per the Hindu marriage ceremonies.


Rāmeshwaram, Tamil Nadu.

Rāmeshwaram is the most popular place in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the important places connected to Rāmāyana which has a strong connection with the epic. Rāmeshwaram is where Lord Rāma built Rāma Setu across the sea to Lanka to rescue Sītā from Rāvana. After slaying Rāvana, Lord Rāma returned here and offered His prayer to Lord Shiva. This legend is the main reason for Rāmeshwaram to become one of the major religious destinations in India. The name of the place is derived from the Sanskrit word which literally means “The place where Īshwara was worshipped by Rāma”. Let’s see what makes Rāmeshwaram one among the important places connected to Rāmāyana.


Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi is an abandoned town in the southern most tip of Pāmban island. Lord Rāma built the Rama Setu here. The pilgrims usually bath in the ocean here before completing the pilgrimage to Rāmeshwaram. The spot is considered as the sacred confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. But in the past 50 years, this holy pilgrimage centre has become a ruined town. On 22nd December 1964, this city was destroyed by a cyclone. One part of Shrī Rāma setu is known as Dhanushkodi (Dhanushkodi means an end of bow) because about 17,50,000 years ago, Srī Rāma marked this place with the end of His Kodanda bow for building a bridge to enter Rāvana’s Lanka. Even today, we get to see a chain of big stones in one line in the form of ruins of Rāma-setu. This is an amazing form of architecture created by Nala and Neel. The length and width of Rama-setu is in the proportion of 10:1. Its detailed description is found in Vālmīki Rāmāyana. After taking the measurements, it is found that its width is 3.5 kms whereas its length is 35 kms. Several generations of Hindus know the story of a tiny squirrel that rendered its service in building the Rāma-setu, as well as the story of the floating stone.

It is believed that before the battle between Srī Rāma and Rāvana, Vibhīshana had surrendered to Srī Rāma in Dhanushkodi. It is at this place Lord Rāma crowned Vibhīshana as the King of Lanka.


Lepakshi

Lepakshi near Hindupur in Anantpur District is popular for its Vīrabhadra Temple and hanging pillars. But it has a strong connection to Rāmāyana – infact it has got its name from Rāmāyana. It is believed that this the place where the ‘Jatāyu’ the vulture in Ramayana fought with Rāvana when he abducted Sītā in his Vimana. Jatāyu fought fiercely to protect Sītā till Rāvana cut his wings off. Jatāyu fell down and Sītā prayed for his soul to survive. Heavens opened up and it rained making the padam filled with water so that Jatayu could quench his thirst to survive till Lord Rāma came hurrying up to him. Lord Rāma after finding jatayu, uttered the word lepakshi (In telugu లేపాక్షి meaning arise bird) which enabled him to get Moksha. Such is the marvel that even today, this padam will have water at some portion somehow. It is always wet with water coming from a small hole where nobody knows the source.

The temples in Thiru Pullambūthangudi near Thanjavur and Thiruputkuzhi near Kanchipuram are also associated with Jatāyu Moksha.


Hampi, Karnataka

Hampi has a phenomenal number of attractions believed to be associated with Rāmāyana.

Kishkinda Kanda has some special significavce to the landscape of Hampi. Rāma and Lakshmana reached Kishkinda, the kingdom of Vānaras. According to the local folklore, the events in this episode happened in the environs of Hampi. The geography of Hampi stands as proof for this belief. At the time Kishkinda itself was undergoing a turmoil of a power struggle between the monkey princes Vāli and Sugrīva. The more formidable Vāli chased Sugrīva out of the kingdom. He took refuge at Rishyamukha Hill, which Vali could not access due to a curse on him. Hanumān, the minister of the Sugrīva, enquired Rāma and Lakshmana in the form of a Brāhmana. On knowimg the story of Rāma, Hanumān became a staunch Devotee of Rāma. Friendship and promises evolved between Rāma and Sugrīva. Rāma killed Vāli and installed Sugrīva as the king of Kishkinda.


As a tourist to Hampi, you can visit the places that are associated with this episode in Rāmāyana. The Ānjaneya Hill, just across the river is believed to be the place where Añjana gave birth to Hanumān. Rishyamukh island is the place where Hanuman first met Rāma and Lakshmana. You can spot a hermitage at the centre of this island. A bit east on the island is the Chandramouleshwara Temple. Sugrīva’s Cave is located on the way to Vitthala Temple. While Rāvana took Sītā away by the flying chariot, Sītā dropped her jewels as a sign to aid Rāma. Sugrīva found the fallen jewels and kept them in the cave. Later he showed it to Rāma and asserted that it was Rāvana who had abducted Sītā. Even the marks on the rock surface here are equated with the motifs on Sītā’s Sari. Next to it is a pond named after Sītā.

There is a temple called Chintāmani at the Anegondi area on the edges of the river. This cave is where, according to local beliefs, Rāma met Sugrīva along with Hanumān. At Chintāmani is a footprint impression on the rocky sheet. It’s considered as the spot from where Rāma aimed at Vali and shot the arrow. It is believed that it’s at this location Rāma gave His ring to Hanumān, as Sītā can easily identify it. The riverbank near Kodandarāma Temple, near the Sugrīva’s cave, is the place where Rāma crowned Sugriva after killing Vāli. Malyavanta Hill, located almost at the southern fringes of the ruins site has a temple dedicated to Rāma at its summit. Rāma and Lakshmana waited here during the rainy season. A cleft on top of the hill is believed to have caused by Lakshmana’s arrow.







Sri Kodandarāma Temple, Vontimitta

Ancient legends say that this temple was built in a single day by ardent devotees of Bhagavān Srī Rāma, Vontodu and Mittudu. After construction of this wonderful temple with 32 pillars, both devotees sacrificed their lives and transformed into statues. It is believed that King Jāmbavān had placed the Lord Rāma Idol in this temple. The Garbhagudi consists of Lord Srī Rāma, Goddess Sītā and Lakshmana engraved on a single rock.

Another interesting fact about Vontimitta Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple is that it is one of the few temples, where the Idol of Sri Rama is without Lord Anjaneya Swamy by his side. According to legends, Rāma, Lakshmana and Sītā spent some time here in the forest during the period of Their exile. Once to quench the thirst of Sītā, Rāma shot an arrow deep into the earth, upon which sweet water gushed out. Later, with this perennial water spring, two small tanks were named Rāma tīrtham and Lakshmana tīrtham. The Ānjaneya Swāmy Gandi may also be part of the Rāmāyana, it is believed that the Ānjaneya Swāmy Idol in Gandi is made by Srī Rāma on a hill stone with His arrow point to acknowledge Ānjaneya’s help in finding Srī Sītā Devī.




Gokarna, Karnataka.

Rāvana, the demon-king of Lanka, received the Ātmalinga from Lord Shiva after he had performed a penance at Mount Kailāsh. Shiva instructed Rāvana that the sacred Ātmalinga should not be placed on the ground as it would establish itself when placed on earth. On his way back to Lanka, Rāvana stopped for his evening prayers at Gokarna. As Rāvana was coming near Gokarna. Mahā Vishnu who had known well that Rāvana was punctual in performing his periodical rites (Sandyāvandana), hid the sun with his Sudarshana Chakra. Thinking that it was time to perform the evening rites, Rāvana found a Brāhmin boy (Lord Ganesha in disguise) and asked him to hold the Ātma linga in His hand till he came back after finishing the rites. Lord Ganesha agreed to hold the linga on one condition that he would do so till he was be able to bear the weight of  the Linga. After that he would call Rāvana three times and if he failed to come to him by then he would place the linga on the earth. Lord Ganapati called Rāvana three times when he was performing his rites. Ganesha placed the linga on the earth and vanished. The Ātmalinga at once got firmly entrenched in the earth. Rāvana learnt that he had been tricked by the Gods and tried to extricate it, resulting in throwing the coverings of the Linga to Surathkal, Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwar, Murudeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples.


Srīrangam, Tamil Nadu.

Vibishana is attached with the legend of Srīrangam Ranganāthaswāmy temple , considered the abode of Vishnu on earth. During the coronation of Rāma, Vibishana was presented the sacred Srī Ranga Vimāna. He carried it all the way to his kingdom of Srī Lanka and to rest, he placed the image on the banks of river Kāveri. After performing his routine pooja, he tried to lift the Vimāna, but it could not be lifted. Mahāvishnu appeared to him and said that He desired to stay as Ranganātha in the place, which went on to become Srīrangam. Vishnu also desired to watch the Brahmotsavam at Tirucherai. The festivals of the temple are thus considered sacred.



Srī Rangam has the Mandapam where Kambar read aloud his Tamil retelling of Rāmāyana, called Rāmāvatāram. Tamilnadu has many temples like the Vaduvūr Rāmar temple and Madhurāntakam Rāmar temple, where the Vigrahas of Rāghava are enchantingly beautiful. In Tamil Nadu and many other south Indian states, every Divya Desa has a Sannidhi for Rāma. Rāma is found in a reclining pose in Rāmeshwaram and Cuddalore. The Vaikunta Vāsa Perumāl temple in Koyambedu is believed to be the place where Sītā gave birth to Lava and Kusha.  This is not the end, there are MANY famous temples of Rama in south India. I have listed only a few of them. Do visit these temples in south India.


Let’s see the Gurus who worshipped Rāma in South India.

  • Rāmānujācharya
  • Vedānta Desikar 
  • Ānanda Tīrtha Shrī Madhvācārya
  • Shri Vyāsarāyaru
  • Vādirāja Tirtha
  • Dāsa shreshta Vijaya Dāsar
  • Shrī Rāghavendra

Varkāri Saints have written Abhangs to eulogize Rāma. Purandara Dāsa, Annamāchārya, Thyāgarāja, Bhadrāchala Rāmadāsu, Swāti Tirunāl and many other South Indian composers' songs on Rāma are really famous. The devotion of these Vāggeyakāras is well-known. Their songs explore all Bhāvas and moods they have for Rāma. There are many movies, songs, dramas, paintings and literature from South India based on Rāmāyana and Devotees of Rāma. We have Dasara pādagalu which glorify Rāma. Kambar, Arunachala Kavirayar and many devotees have retold Rāmāyana in Tamil. There are Telugu versions of Rāmāyana. We have many folk songs about Sītā Rāma. Āzhwārs have praised Rāma wonderfully. Āndāl sang about Rāma in Thirupāvai and Nāchiyār Thirumozhi. Kulashekara Āzhwār was a great devotee of Rāma. He immersed himself in Vātsalya Bhāva, imagined himself as Dasharatha and Kaushalyā and sang lullabies for Rāma. Periyāzhwār sang about Hanumān giving Rāma's message to Sītā. Nammāzhwār too has praised Rāma in Pāsurams like 'Karpār Rāmapirānai.' The rest of the Āzhwārs too have sung about Rāma. Thus, Rāma Bhaktī is rooted in South India.

Lastly, these are some of the South Indian painting of Sītā and Rāma. Also, all the paintings featured in this post are that of South Indian artists.













Rāma is our Rāshtra Devata. He is widely worshipped in South India.

Antā Rāma mayam!! Ee Jaga mantā Rāma mayam!!

(Everything is filled with Rāma. The universe is filled by Rāma)

Rāma! Rāma!

Yours,

Shyāmasundari Dāsi











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