South India is undoubtedly the home to some magnificent temples that date back to even 3000 years. Each temple has a fascinating history, too, including how it was made and what the legends are about it, keeping the curiosity of history buffs and architecture enthusiasts high all the time. One such temple is Ramar Temple in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, which has an exciting story of its inception and establishment. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ram and is located in the city’s heart. In this article, you will get all the essential details about the Ramar Temples and all the other popular places you can visit near it.
Overview Of Ramar Temple Coimbatore
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Ramar Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Coimbatore, located in Ram Nagar, near the central bus stand in Gandhipuram. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ram and is the only temple in India where the idols of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita are seen facing each other depicting their love.
One can feel the atmosphere of the temple to be incredibly divine and peaceful. It is believed that if you offer prayers in this temple with complete devotion, Lord Ram will bless you with all your wishes. Hence, many newlywed couples visit this shrine, hoping to live happily and fulfilling married lives. The temple is often used to organise the first traditional meeting of the bride and the bridegroom as they believe Lord Rama and Sita will bless them before they take the following steps into their married life.
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History Of Ramar Temple
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Many legal practitioners and their clerks live in Ram Nagar. In 1914, a group of lawyers headed by KS Arthanareeswara Aiyer requested the then-collector of Coimbatore to grant them land to build their homes. A part of the agricultural land was allocated to the lawyers and the clerks—subdivided into plots of 25 cents for the lawyers and 12 cents for their clerks.
In 1928, 85 cents of the land belonging to Dewan Bahadur Sri Muthu Ramaswamy Kalingarayar was acquired to build a temple. After a few years, construction started in 1933, and the temple was called Ramar Temple. The locality Ram Nagar got its name from the temple only.
Architecture of Ramar Temple
Like other temples in South India, Ramar Temple in Coimbatore boasts traditional Dravidian temple architecture. The temple is grand and features a gopuram, with its levels beautifully decorated with colourful carving work and sculptures. You will be amazed to see the beautiful carvings on the temple doors that are covered with sheets of silver. Maha Lakshmi, in all her eight avatars, is carved exquisitely on the door. Three idols are inside the temple’s sanctum sanctorum- Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Rama’s brother – Lakshmana. One exciting thing about Ramar Temple is that it has a box full of papers with thirteen-crore Rama names written on them. Lord Vilwa Lingeswarar and Lord Vinayaka with Nagas are seated under the Willow tree and on a stage under the Arasamaram tree, respectively.
The temple also houses idols and sculptures of other deities, such as Lord Ganesha, Krishna, Yoga Rama, Aiyappa, and Lord Shiva. Inside the complex, there is also a temple dedicated to the Navagrahas.
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Ram Navami Utsav At Ramar Temple
If you are planning to visit Ramar Temple in Coimbatore, try to plan your visit around the Ram Navami Utsav, as the temple commemorates a grand celebration on this occasion. The temple is dedicated to Lord Kothandaramar, an avatar of Lord Ram, and every year, Ram Navami is celebrated during the Tamil calendar month of “Chithirai” (between April and May). One of the major festivals celebrated in Ramar Temple is Ram Navami, which is highly revered by Hindus throughout the nation. According to the mythological stories, Lord Rama was born on this day as the seventh manifestation of Lord Vishnu.
The Ram Navami Utsav is celebrated in the temple with special rituals, including prayers in the morning dedicated to the Sun God. Many devotees visit the temple today and recite Vedic chants from holy cures like “Ramacharitamanas” and “Ramayana” while they pray to Lord Rama. A procession is organised around the temple, in which the Utsava Moorthy (procession deity) is decorated and taken along with thousands of devotees singing and chanting holy slogans and hymns.
Temples To Visit Near Ramar Temple
Here is the list of other temples to visit near the Ramar Temple and seek blessings.
1. Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple
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If you are visiting Ramar Temple in Coimbatore, you can also make some time for Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple, located at Anuvavi Hills in Periya Thadagam on the outskirts of Coimbatore. This temple is dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Subramanian. The presiding deity is in a standing posture with consorts Valli and Deivanai. It is one of the ancient temples in Coimbatore and one of the most sacred temples in South India, and you should visit it once in your lifetime. There is also a natural spring of water that is said to have healing powers. Many people visit this temple and dip in the spring to cure their illnesses.
Location: 17 km away from Ramar Temple
Timings: 6:00 am to 11:00 am and from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Suggested Read: Ayodhya Ram Mandir
2. Arulmigu Munthi Vinayagar Temple
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Arulmigu Munthi Vinayagar Temple is one of the famous temples near Ramar Temple. It is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in Puliakulam and is dedicated to the god Munthi Vinayagar, a form of Lord Ganesha. One of the significant reasons this temple attracts tourists is that it has Asia’s most giant idol, Lord Ganesha, which is 20 feet tall and 11 feet wide. You can visit this temple throughout the year; however, the best time is during Vinayaka Chaturthi, which falls in August-September. This is one of the major festivals celebrated in the temple to mark Lord Ganesha’s birthday.
Location: 6 km away from Ramar Temple
Timings: 5:30 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
3. Sri Naga Sai Mandir
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Add this temple to your itinerary when planning a trip to Ramar Temple Coimbatore, as it is one of the few temples of Shirdi Sai Baba in South India. Remember, if you visit this temple, you see it on a Sunday or Thursday, as these days are believed to be highly promising. Other than this, every Thursday at 7:00 pm, the Golden Chariot carrying an idol of Sri Sai Baba, decorated with flowers and garlands, is taken out for parikrama. This event is worth participating in so visitors can see the temple in all its glory.
Location: 3 km away from Ramar Temple
Timings: 5:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm every day
Suggested Read: Amawa Ram Mandir
How To Reach Ramar Temple Coimbatore
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Ramar Temple is located in Ram Nagar, close to the Gandhipuram Bus Stand, where several buses travel to different parts of Coimbatore. The temple is well-connected by road, and you can hire a taxi, drive your vehicle, or take a bus ride to reach Ramar Temple from any part of Coimbatore. The drive from Coimbatore is via Nagapattinam – Coimbatore – Gundlupet Highway or Trichy Road.
Distance of Ramar Temple from major transportation hubs:
- Distance between Gandhipuram Bus Stand and Ramar Temple- 900 m
- Distance between Coimbatore Junction Railway Station and Ramar Temple- 2.7 km
- Distance between Coimbatore International Airport and Ramar Temple- 12 km
Further Read: Raghunathji Mandir
Now that you have the entire itinerary for your religious trip to Tamil Nadu, you just need to pack your bags and embark on your spiritual journey. And what can be the best place to start other than Ramar Temple in Coimbatore, which is the only temple in India where the idols of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita are seen facing each other, depicting their love? So, plan a visit to this Lord Ram temple soon to feel the positive vibes.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ramar Temple
What are the times for visiting Ramar Temple Coimbatore?
The Ramar Temple in Coimbatore remains open from 6 to 11 in the morning and 5 to 8:30 in the evening.
How does Ram Nagar in Coimbatore get its name?
Earlier, the place was called Agraharam, Ranganathapuram, and Karivaradhapuram. The residents then decided to build a temple dedicated to Lord Ram on 85 cents of the land and the consecration took place in the year 1933 5th February. With this, the name of the locality was changed to Ram Nagar to symbolise the temple.
How far is the bus stand from Ramar Temple?
The nearest bus stand to Ramar Temple is Gandhipuram which is at a distance of 900 m from the temple. You can easily walk to the temple from the bus stand.
What is the major festival celebrated at Ramar Temple?
One of the major festivals celebrated at Ramar Temple is Ram Navami Utsav to mark the birthday of Lord Ram as the seventh manifestation of Lord Vishnu. This festival is celebrated during the Tamil calendar month of “Chithirai” (between April and May).
When did Ramar Temple come into existence?
A decision to build the temple dedicated to Lord Ram was taken in the year 1927 and for that people of the locality bought 85 cents of the land in 1928. The construction of the Ramar Temple started in 1933 with the Kumbabhishekam.
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