Beyond Ayodhya: Famous Ram Temples In India

India, a nation celebrated for its vibrant cultural heritage and profound spiritual traditions, is home to several revered Ram temples that serve as testaments of the devotion and significance of Lord Rama’s place in Hindu mythology. While the Ayodhya Ram Temple holds a special place as Lord Rama's birthplace, numerous other temples dedicated to the deity dot the Indian landscape. These temples draw both tourists and devotees since they are significant pilgrimage sites and exhibit beautiful architecture. Embark on a spiritual journey to explore these illustrious Ram temples and experience the splendour of Lord Rama's legacy beyond Ayodhya.

The temple is located alongside the Betwa River in Madhya Pradesh's Orchha. According to the legend surrounding the temple, the queen of Orcha was a devoted follower of Lord Rama. She once travelled to Ayodhya hoping to bring back her beloved deity as a boy. Lord Rama consented to accompany her to Orchha on the condition that he would remain at the temple, where she would initially provide housing for him rather than move to another.

A temple was built to honour Lord Rama. When the temple was ready, he refused to move due to his agreement with the queen. As a result, the Ram Raja Temple was finally replaced by the queen's residence. 

Timings: 8 am to 12 30 pm / 1 pm to 8 pm

Getting there: The easiest way to get to Orchha is to take a train to Jhansi, which is 16 kilometres away, and then take a bus or a taxi from there.

The temple is located in Kerala's Thrissur district. The temple's Lord Rama deity is referred to as Thriprayarappan or Thriprayar Thevar by locals. Here, Lord Rama is worshipped in a unique four-armed form (Chaturbhuja), bearing a conch (Panchajanya), a disc (Sudarsana), a bow (Kodanda), and a garland. This form is indicative of Lord Vishnu's attributes, blending the essence of Rama and Vishnu. 

According to mythology, Lord Krishna was once a devotee of Lord Rama's idol. Following Lord Krishna's swargarohana, the idol was immersed in the sea. Some seafaring fishermen from the vicinity of Kerala's Chettuva region later founded it, after which the deity was erected in a temple built by the local ruler Vakkayil Kaimal at Thriprayar. The temple architecture is traditional Kerala style, known for its intricate wood carvings, majestic gopuram (gateway tower), and expansive temple pond.

Timings: 3 am to 12 pm / 5 pm to 8 pm

Getting there: Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to Thrissur at a distance of 50 kilometres; from there, you can hire a taxi or a private vehicle to reach Thrissur.

Located on the banks of the Godavari River in the southern state of Telangana, Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple is a highly revered destination for pilgrims. Often referred to as the “Dakshin Ayodhya” or "Ayodhya of the South," the temple is a pivotal centre of worship and devotion, dedicated to Lord Rama and his consort Sita. The residents of Bhadrachalam claim that the temple's name comes from a former resident of the town by the name of Bhadra. A common myth holds that Bhadra changed from a stone to a human and was then converted into a hillock by Lord Rama's spell. This temple is situated on the hillock that is now known as Bhadrachalam.

The temple has four entrances, with the Rajagopuram, known as Vaikuntha Dwaram, located at the northern entrance. The temple complex houses numerous sub-shrines and mandapams. 

Timings: 4 30 a.m to 1 pm / 3 pm to 9 pm

Getting there: The most convenient way to get to Bhadrachalam is to fly to Rajahmundry Airport, 116.8 kilometres away from Bhadrachalam, then take a bus or hire a private vehicle.

The Kalaram Temple in Nashik was built in the year 1788 by Sardar Ranga Rao. It is believed that Rao had a dream in which he saw a black statue of Lord Rama being immersed in the Godavari River. The Kalaram temple in Nashik is situated in the heart of Maharashtra's Panchvati region. What's interesting about this temple is that it has a black statue of Rama inside; in fact, the term Kalaram Temple means "black ram," which is also how it got its name.

The temple is easily accessible from different parts of Nashik, and the area around the temple, Panchavati, is rich in mythological connections, closely associated with the epic Ramayana.

Timings: 5 am to 10 pm

Getting there: The best way to get to Nashik is to take a flight to Nashik Airport, around 20 kilometres from the city centre.

The word Kanak, which means "gold," comes from the gold ornaments and gilded thrones of the idols of Rama and Sita in this temple. Kanak Bhawan is renowned for its exquisite Bundelkhand architecture. The temple's central hall features arched doorways on three sides, and its sanctum sanctorum houses three pairs of gold-crowned idols of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, beautifully decorated with heavy gold ornaments. Make sure to witness the sunrise or sunset here at this holy sanctuary whenever you visit. 

Due to its architectural design, the main wall of the shrine of Kanak Temple is east-facing, which explains why the temple appears so magnificent when sunlight shines on its walls. Legend has it that Lord Rama's stepmother, Kaikeyi, constructed the temple as a wedding gift to his son. 

Timings: 5 am to 10 pm

Getting there: With the construction of the new Maharishi Valmiki International Airport completed, the best way to reach Ayodhya is to take a flight.

This renowned Hindu temple in Amritsar, Punjab, is believed to be the ashram (hermitage) of the sage Valmiki, where it is said that Mata Sita gave birth to her twin boys, Luv and Kush. For this reason, it has great significance in Hindu mythology.

The temple complex is beautifully landscaped and has a calm and spiritual atmosphere. The main temple is devoted to Lord Rama and Mata Sita, featuring murals and idols representing epic Ramayana incidents. The temple is a significant historical and cultural site that attracts tourists interested in learning more about India's spirituality and rich heritage.

Timings: 8 am to 10 pm

Getting there: Amritsar, the capital city, boasts excellent connectivity throughout the country. The best way to reach is to fly to Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport.

The Ramaswamy Temple is located in Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. It's among India's most beautiful Ram temples. This temple's magnificent carvings portray every famous incident that occurred during the epic Ramayana. Some have compared the Ramaswamy Temple to southern India's Ayodhya. Only at this temple can one witness the idols of Bharat and Shatrughan alongside those of Ram, Sita, and Lakshman. You should also visit the other three temples in the complex: Alwar Sannathi, Sreenivasa Sannathi, and Gopalan Sannathi.

Timings: 6 am to 9 pm

Getting there: Trichy International Airport is the nearest airport from Kumbakonam at a distance of 90 kilometres. From there you can hire a cab or a bus.