Besides Ayodhya Rama Temple, India has a myriad of other temples dedicated to Lord Rama, echoing the timeless resonance of Rama’s legacy in different regions of India. These Rama temples, scattered across the country, hold distinct historical, architectural, and spiritual importance, contributing to the rich tapestry of religious heritage in India.
Raghunath Temple (Jammu) is dedicated to Rama. This temple was constructed by Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu & Kashmir in 1835 CE and completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh between 1853–60 CE. The main temple’s inner walls are adorned with gold sheets on three sides, showcasing Mughal masonry with splendid carvings and arches.
Vilwardrinatha Temple (Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur, Kerala) is dedicated to Rama and Laxman. This temple is located atop a 100-foot-high hill with a Swayambhu (self-born image) idol of Rama.
Ramrekha Temple (Simdega, Jharkhand) is located in a bowed cave. This temple presents archaeological evidence like agni kund, charan paduka, Sita chulha, gupt ganga, and is believed to be a place where Rama, Sita, and Laxman spent part of their exile (Vanvaas).
Ram Raja Temple (Orchha, Madhya Pradesh) is adorned with a marble courtyard and colourful walls. Rama is worshipped here as a King, and it is the only place where he receives a gun salute.
Ramaswamy Temple (Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu) was built during the period of Thanjavur Nayaks king Achuthappa Nayak. Hindu legends are depicted in the sculptures on the pillars, and the Ramayanam is illustrated in the pictorial format in three segments.
Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple (Bhadrachalam, Telangana) blends traditional South Indian architecture with the Kakatiya dynasty’s style. This temple is dedicated to Rama and is associated with Ramadasu, a devotee of Rama who composed hymns in his honour.
Thriprayar Sri Rama Temple (Thrissur, Kerala) is among the nalambha temples (set of four temples) in South India. It features wooden carvings, sculptural depictions of scenes from the Ramayanam. The walls of the temple are adorned with beautiful mural paintings.
Kodanda Ramaswamy Temple (Chikmagalur, Karnataka) is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. This temple is dedicated to Rama and showcases a blend of Dravidian and Hoysala architectural styles.
Shri Ram Tirath Temple (Amritsar, Punjab) is believed to be the ashram of sage Valmiki, where Sita took shelter after leaving Ayodhya. The temple complex reveals scenes from the Ramayana.
Kanak Bhavan (Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh) is believed to be the private palace of Sita. This temple exemplifies Bundelkhand Architectural style and houses a consecrated image of Rama and Sita. The temple is renovated by Vikramaditya and completely revamped and rebuilt by Vrish Bhanu Kunwari in 1891.
Kalaram Temple (Panchavati, Nasik, Maharastra) holds a significant place in the Ramayana narrative. Panchavati, named after the presence of five banyan trees in the area, is where Rama, Sita, and Lakshman spent the initial years of their 14-year exile. The temple, known as ‘Kalaram,’ derives its name from a black statue of Rama, symbolising the Black Rama.
Constructed in 1792, the temple was a collaborative effort led by Sardar Rangarao Odhekar Peshwa. Within the sanctum sanctorum, there are statues of Rama, Sita, and Lakshman, accompanied by a black idol of Hanuman at the main entrance. The main temple’s architecture features 14 steps, representing the 14 years of Lord Rama’s exile. Additionally, the temple boasts 84 pillars, symbolising the cycle of 84 lakh species that one must traverse to be reborn as a human. In the temple surroundings, there is a venerable tree with an impression of Lord Dattatreya’s footprints on a stone beneath it, adding to the spiritual ambience of the sacred site.
Did You Know?
In 1930, B.R. Ambedkar and social activist Pandurang Sadashiv Sane led a significant Dalit Satyagraha at the Kalaram Temple. They demanded access for Dalits to Hindu temples, and the agitation continued until 1935. The protesters faced opposition, and Ambedkar personally intervened to control the situation, according to historical accounts.
P.M. Modi is the first prime minister who visited this temple in January 2024, performed puja, and swept Kalaram temple.
Kodandarama Temple (Vontimitta, Andhra Pradesh) is dedicated to Lord Rama, and was established during the reign of the Cholas and the Vijayanagar Empire in the 16th century. The temple exhibits Dravidian style architecture and is supported by 32 pillars in its mandapa. Within the temple compound, there are two ponds, named Rama Theertham and Lakshmana Theertham.
Eri Katha Ramar Temple (Maduranthakam, Tamil Nadu) is dedicated to Lord Rama and is one of the oldest temples in South India with an estimated age of 1,600 years. It was built during the Pallava era, and inscriptions indicate generous gifts from Chola king, Parantaka I. The temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture and houses stucco images as well as processional icons of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman, and Vishnu (Karunakara Perumal) with Sridevi and Bhudevi. It holds significance in the life of Sri Ramanuja, who received the Pancha Samskaram or Samasrayanam here in a four-pillared pavilion. The granite slabs in front of the Rama sanctum bear inscriptions of Tyagaraja Utsava Sampradaya kritis, initiated by ‘Postal’ Sundaram Iyer in the 1950s.
Ramateertham (Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh) is a sacred site with deep-rooted connections to Rama and exhibits a blend of Dravidian, Chalukyan, Pallava, and Vijayanagara architectural style along with silver-clad idols of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. The site also shows traces of Jain influence with natural caves, rock art, slab sculptures, and small ruined brick temples. The area encompasses three lines of hills—Bodhikonda, Durgakonda, and Gurabaktakonda—each holding historical remnants, including Jain, Buddhist, and Hindu elements. The site is known for the Ramateertham Giri Pradarshana during Vaikuntha Ekadasi, featuring tortoises with Vishnu Namams on their backs. There is a Shiva temple constructed in 2007 featuring the Kamakshi deity. However, in 2020, the Rama idol in the Kodanda Rama temple at Bodhi Konda was beheaded by unidentified individuals. The temple complex was renovated following the guidelines of Agama Sastra, an ancient manual for temple construction.
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