Rama Navami is a spring Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Rama. This auspicious day falls in the ‘Shukla Paksha’ on the ninth day of the month of Chaitra, corresponding to the calendar month of March/April. On the occasion of Rama Navami, here are the 10 most famous temples of Lord Rama in India:
1. Kalaram Temple, Maharashtra
As the name suggests the main idol of Lord Rama is Black in Colour. (Kala means Black).This temple is located in the Panchavati area in the city of Nashik. This temple was built by Sardar Rangarao Odhekar. It is said that he had a dream that a statue of Lord Rama in Black color was lying in the Godavari River. Then, Odhekar took the statue from the river and built the temple.
2. Ram Mandir, Odisha
Ram Mandir is located in the heart of Bhuvaneshwar, Odisha. This temple houses the beautiful images of Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Goddess Sita. The high rising peak of the main temple that is visible from many parts of the capital city is its main attraction.
3. Ram Raja Temple, Madhya Pradesh
This temple is located in a place called Orchha in Madhya Pradesh. In India, this is the only temple where Lord Rama is worshipped as a King and that too in a palace. He graces His devotees by sitting in Padmasan with the left leg crossed over the right thigh. He also holds a sword in His right hand and a shield in the other.
4. Ramchaura Mandir, Bihar
This is a famous Ram temple located in the city of Hajipur and it is said to have been in existence since the period of Ramayana. Lord Rama is believed to have visited this place on His way to Janakpur and so where His footprints are worshipped here.
5. Ramtek Ram Temple, Maharashtra
It is believed that Ramtek was the place where Rama rested while He was in Exile. As per the Hindu Mythology, the ashram of the Hindu sage Agasthiya was situated close to Ramtek. Lord Rama was distressed to hear about the menace of the demons in this area and he took a vow (‘Tek’ in local Language) to destroy them. Hence the temple named as Ramtek.
6. Sri Ramaswamy Temple, Kerala
Sree Ramaswamy Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Rama located at Thiruvangad near Thalasserry in the Kannur district of Kerala. The idol of the Thiruvangadu Sree Rama Temple is believed to be installed by Lord Parasurama, the great saint. It is a unique temple because of its legendary and historical significance.
7. Kodandarama Temple, Karnataka
This is one of the famous Rama temples located at Hiremagalur near Chikmagalur. The temple deity is called Kodandaramar since Lord Rama and His brother Lakshmana are seen holding the bow and arrows. This temple is one of the most famous monuments of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
8. Ramaswamy temple, Tamilnadu
This temple of Lord Rama is located in Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu. The temple was constructed 400 years back during the reign of Achuta Nayaka. The main deity of the temple portrays the idol of Lord Rama sitting with Goddess Sita. We could also see the images of his brothers Lakshmana, Bharatha, and Shatrughan in standing posture and Hanuman in worship posture.
9. Kodandarama temple, Andrapradesh
The temple is located in a place named Vontimitta town in Kadapa District. This temple was built during the reign of Chola and Vijayanagara Kings in the 16th Century. This temple is built in Five tiers and has 3 gopurams. Lord Rama graces His devotees in a standing Position with the bow in the right hand and arrow in the left hand.
10. Badrachalam Temple, Telangana
This temple is revered as Dakshin Ayodhya and is located on the shores of Godavari River in the town of Badrachalam. The temple is notable for its main deity of Lord Rama where He appears as Vaikunta Rama with four hands. This form of Rama is not found anywhere else in India.