Ramapuram Sree Rama Temple
Ramapuram temple is situated at Ramapuram near Palai, located about 40 km from Kottayam and is well connected by bus. Devottees can reach here from Koothattukulam in M.C road. Main deity is Rama. This temple is managed by a Temple Trust called Ramapuram Devaswom of 3 Nampoothiri families on rotation, viz. Amanakara mana, Kunnoor mana and Karanattu mana.
The legend has it that Lord Rama (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) left his kingdom of Ayodhya and reached the present Ramapuram village through the route which he used to find his spouse Sita during the fourteen years of exile. He found the place as an ideal spot for meditation. His brothers found him missing and they went in search for him towards south. When they found him meditating in a serene place, they too sat beside him and meditated, Lakshmana at Koodapulam, Bharata at Amanakara and Satrughna at Methiri. Over time, separate shrines for them arose in the spots where they meditated, and it was famed as Nalambalam.
The temple structure is believed to be thousand years old. The Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) is in circular shape, covered by copper with a golden finial on the top. Thidappalli and the temple well are placed in the southeast and northeast corners. When crossing the eastern gopuram, a 330 ft tall golden flagstaff is placed. In the past, it was made up of copper. The idol of Rama is made up Panchaloha, a composition of five metals. The temple pond is situated to the north, where the aarttu ceremony of Kondadu Dharmasastha temple is performed. The temple is accompanied by 3 other nearby shrines dedicated to Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrughna, located within a radius of 3 km.
Ramampuram Kshetram is part of the Nalambalam Darshana Karma. Devotees should visit Sree Rama temple first. Then visit Amanakara Bharatha Temple, Koodappulam Lakshmana Temple and Methiri Sathrughna Temple. 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 pm). If you are visiting these temples other than karkkidaka month, Devotees are advised to complete the visit to these temples before 10AM.
The old dwaja was replaced with a new one in 2007. The circular sreekovil is copper covered.
Visiting Nalambalams in the month of Karkidakam (July-August) is considered as sacred and known as Nalambala-yathra which is becoming popular as Pilgrimage Tourism.
Location
Ramapuram
Main Deity
Lord Sree Rama Swamy
Other Deities
Lord Sastha (Ayyappa), Dakshinamurty, Goddess Bhardakali, Lord Ganapathi, Hanuman, Brahmarakshas and Yakshiyamma
Festivals
The eight-day annual festival is hosted in the Malayalam month of Meenam (i.e. March/April) on the Chothi star. It is concluded by the aarattu ceremony on the Thiruvonam star, performed in the Amanakara Bharata temple pond. Utsavabali is also an important event during the festival.
Main Offerings
Chakram Samarppanam, Palppayasam, Koottupayasam, Kadumpayasam, Vadamala, Aval nedya.
How To Reach
By Air: Cochin International Airport is situated at 59.9KM from the temple.
By Rail: Vaikom Railway Station is 26.2KM from the Temple.
By Road: Pala KSRTC Bus Station is 12.4KM from the Temple.