Main God:
Arulmigu Sri Ramaswamy
Location:
Arulmigu Ramasamy Temple, kumbakonam-612001, Thanjavur
Festival :
Sri Rama Navami is celebrated in the temple with special pujas in March-April – Panguni Tamil month. On the Masi Maga day in February-March, Lord Sri Rama and Mother Sita visit the Maga Magam Temple Tank for a bath and offer Theertha Prasad to devotees.
Worship Timings:
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
History:
Dasaratha King of Ayodhya was sad as he had no issues to look after the kingdom after him. As advised by Guru Vasishta, he conducted a yajna called Puthrakameshti Yajna seeking child boon. To establish Dharma on Earth Lord Vishnu was born to him as Rama from his first queen Kausalya. Vishnu’s Adisesha and conch were born as Lakshmana and Satrugna to his their queen Sumitra. Bharatha representing Vishnu’s discus was born to the second queen Kaikeyi and was a symbol of Dharma himself. Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrugna were born on very auspicious days with Punarvasu, Pushya, Aslesha as their birth stars respectively. All the four brothers were a living and practical example in human forms of the rule of Vedas. Rama and Lakshmana were close to each other while Satrugna was close to Bharatha.
Bharatha, an outstanding example of the political dharma of the days, ruled Ayodhya as its acting Governor of Rama from the Nandhi Grama placing Rama’s sandals on the throne. He ruled till the return of Rama from his exile after 14 years.Their wives excelled their husbands in upholding Dharmas.
No power on earth could separate the brothers. They were united by soul and mind. Lord Sri Rama in the temple appears as on the Coronation Day in Ayodhya with His consort Mother Sita who suffered untold suffering during their exile, Lakshmana who was only happy to share the hardships of jungle life along with his brother, Bharatha and Satrugna whose sacrifice deserves all praise and Sri Anjaneya who was the soul of Rama in deciding His final victory over Ravana. After Ayodhya in U.P. this is the temple in Kumbakonam in the coronation style, a pilgrim town known for its famous temples and Theertha – Sacred waters – importance.
