Kodandaramaswamy Temple, Ayodhyapatinam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kodandaramaswamy Kovil | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Salem district |
| Deity | Kodandaramaswamy (Rama), Seethalakshmi (Sita) |
| Location | |
| Location | Ayodhyapattinam |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
  Shown within Salem  Kodandaramaswamy Temple, Ayodhyapatinam (Tamil Nadu)  Kodandaramaswamy Temple, Ayodhyapatinam (India) | |
| Coordinates | 11°40′29″N 78°14′19″E / 11.6748°N 78.2385°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian architecture |
| Creator | Vijayanagara dynasty |
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.[1]
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. 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. This structure is now maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, follows the Pancharatra agama.
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.[2] 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.[citation needed]
Besides Bharadvaja, the sages Vasishta and Valmiki are said to have worshipped here.[citation needed]
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.[1][3][4]
