Ramaswamy Temple

Ramaswamy Temple is dedicated to Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, and is one of the best-known Rama temples in India. Rama is shown seated with Sita, attended by his brothers Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna, and by Hanuman, who holds manuscripts.

History

The temple was begun under the Thanjavur Nayak king Achuthappa Nayak (1560–1614) and completed under Raghunatha Nayak (1600–1634). It was built by Govinda Dikshitar, minister to the Nayaks, who also added a commercial corridor joining it to the older Chakrapani Temple. According to tradition, the images in the sanctum were found in a temple tank at nearby Darasuram. The Thanjavur Marathas added to the temple later.

Architecture

The hall near the entrance has sixty-four pillars, each carved from a single stone with scenes from the Ramayana. On the walls of the first courtyard the whole Ramayana is painted in three bands, so that visitors can follow the story by walking around the sanctum three times. The paintings date from the Nayak period and were added to under the Marathas.

Mahamaham

It is one of the 5 Vishnu temples connected with the Mahamaham festival, held at the Mahamaham tank about once every 12 years. The temple's main festival is Rama Navami, in the Tamil month of Panguni (March–April).