Ramaswamy Temple - Kumbakonam

Located in the center of Kumbakonam town, the Ramaswamy temple is a sight to behold. Like other temples in this region, this temple is also known for its wonderful architecture. King Dasaratha was so dejected as he had no issues to look after the kingdom next to him. As advised by his Guru Vasishta, he conducted a pooja called ‘Putrakameshti Yagna’ seeking child boons. To establish Dharma on the Earth, lord Vishnu was born to him as ‘Rama’ for his first wife queen Kausalya. Vishnu’s serpent bed and conch were born as Lakshmana and Shatrughna to his second wife Sumitra. Bharatha, representing Vishnu’s discus was born to the third queen Kaikeyi and he is the symbol of Dharma himself. All the four lived as a practical example of humans. Bharatha ruled Ayodhya as its acting Governor of Rama till the return of Rama from his exile for 14 years.

Lord Rama in the temple appears as on the Coronation Day in Ayodhya with his consort Mother Sita who suffered untold suffering during their exile. The Nayak kings were great worshippers of lord Vishnu and wanted to construct a temple exclusively for him. The temple was built under the able guidance of Govinda Dikshitar who was the prime minister of the Nayak kings. Some of the pieces of architecture that adorn the temple are very much in keeping with the style that existed during the times of the Nayaks and have been beautifully handcrafted. The temple has a 3 tiered gopuram surrounded by the walls. The entire Ramayana is represented in the form of excellent pictures on the walls of the temple and this pictorial representation is in three different sections.