Sri Kothanda Ramar temple of Ayodhyapattinam, Salem, TN: " Ayodhya" of South India

Navrang India March 27, 2026
.indiatimes.com
"Happy Sri Rama Navami greetings to all"

Like the early post, this post covers yet another lesser known Sri Rama temple near Salem, Tamil Nadu.

 Sri Kothanda Ramar temple of Ayodhyapattinam:

While the grand temples of Thanjavur and Madurai often steal the spotlight, the Sri Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Ayodhyapattinam, close  to Salem city, holds a unique spiritual and architectural position in Tamil Nadu. Known as "Dakshina Ayodhya" (Ayodhya of the South), this 1,000-year-old sanctuary is steeped in legends that link it directly to the dramatic moments of the Ramayana.

History and Divine Legend

The temple’s name is derived from the belief that Lord Rama, upon returning from Lanka after defeating Ravana, halted here at the request of Sage Bharadvaja. Legend tells us that the sage desired to witness Rama’s coronation; to fulfill this, Rama appeared in his Pattabhisheka Kolam (coronation posture). Because this "first" coronation supposedly happened here before the official ceremony in Ayodhya, devotees believe that a pilgrimage to this site offers the same spiritual merit as visiting Rama's birthplace in Uttar Pradesh.

Sri Kothanda Ramar temple  Ayodhyapattinam,
salem tripadvisor.com

Kothanda Rama temple Ayodhyapattinam,
tripadvisor.co

idols of  deities Kothanda Ramar  temple,
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Kothanda Ramar temple, Ayodhyapattinam, Salem,
TN in.worldorgs.com


Salem city and nearby areas google.com

The temple’s current structural grandeur is largely credited to Thirumalai Nayak, the 17th-century ruler of Madurai. The influence of the Nayak style is unmistakable, mirroring the architectural motifs found in his famous palace in Madurai and the Tharamangalam Kailasanathar temple.

Architectural and Sculptural Grandeur

The temple is a masterclass in Nayak-era stonecraft. Its unique features include:

Sri Rama and Sita (Moolavar)
in sitting prtraveller.blogspot.com

The Rare Sitting Posture: Unlike the common standing or reclining forms, the Moolavar (main deity) of Rama is seen in a majestic sitting posture with his left leg crossed over the right. He is flanked by Sita, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna, and Hanuman, creating a complete "Ram Darbar."

Kothanda Ramar temple, Ayodhyapattinam,
Trip.advisor.com

 Kothanda Ramar temple, Ayodhyapattinam,
TN. in.worldorgs.com

Sri Ramar temple, Ayodhyapattinam,,
 in.worldorgs.com

Kothanda Ramar temple, Ayodhyapattinam, Salem,
in.worldorgs.com

Kothanda Ramar temple, Ayodhyapattinam,  in.worldorgs.com

Ornate Mandapams: The Maha Mandapam is supported by pillars featuring life-sized sculptures of horses, Yalis (mythical creatures), and the Dasavatara (ten incarnations of Vishnu).

Musical Pillars: The temple houses exquisite musical pillars that produce distinct melodic notes when tapped, a testament to the scientific and artistic precision of the ancient sculptors.

Herbal Paintings: The ceilings are adorned with rare paintings depicting Ramayana scenes, created using natural dyes extracted from herbs and plants that have survived for centuries.

Kothanda Ramar temple, Ayodhyapattinam,
in.worldorgs.com

The Neglected Temple Chariot

Standing in stark contrast to the preserved stone sanctum is the temple’s 200-year-old wooden chariot (Ratha). Once a vehicle of splendor during the Chaitra Brahmotsavam, it currently sits in a state of decay. Despite its intricate carvings—which depict various episodes of the Ramayana and Bhagavata Purana—it has lacked a proper shelter for years

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Wooden carving on the Chariot Ramar temple
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carving on the Chariot Ramar temple
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ornate chariot, Adhyothyapatnam, Salem.twitter.com

Ayothiyapattinam Kothanda Ramar temple chariot,
nice carvingstripoto.com

While the HR & CE department has occasionally discussed restoration, and some local boards have called for funds to build a new chariot, heritage enthusiasts argue that the original, with its superior artistic panels, should be salvaged and restored to preserve its historical value.

Ayothiyapattinam Kothanda Ramar temple chariot,
thehindu.com

Above image:  Fallen into disuse for a log period, The richly wooden Temple Chariot with exquisite carvings are gradually  wearing out because of vagaries of weather with no shelter to safe guard it .......

Today, the temple remains a vital spiritual hub, especially during the ten-day Rama Navami festival in the month of Chithirai, drawing thousands who come to witness the "Southern Coronation" of the Lord.
Yet another festival that attracts the people here is the Hanumath jayanthi. 

This temple,a treasure trove of temple sculptures of various images and themes can be developed into a major tourist spot in south India.  


K. N.  Jayaraman & N. Srikantan