The visit to Sri Kattu Ramar
Kovil at Arugankulam, Tirunelveli was a part of “Tirunelveli Heritage Walk”,
organised by Culture Circuits, from 11th to 13th
July 2025. Thanks to Balakumaran G S and Krishnakumar TK for arranging this walk.
This Kattu Ramar temple is also called Mela Ramaswamy Temple (அருள்மிகு மேலராமசாமி திருக்கோயில்). This temple is on the banks of the River Thamirabarani.
Moolavar :
Sri Ramar
Consort :
Sri Sita
Some of the Salient features of this temple are….
The temple faces east with Anjaneyar and balipeedam in front of the temple. A swayambhu Anjaneyar, in old-aged appearance, is in
front of Moolavar. In the sanctum sanctorum, Ramar, Sita, and Lakshmana. Both Rama
and Lakshmna are holding a sword in their right hand, the sharp end rests on the pedestal,
in addition to the bow. Ambura thooli / quiver can be seen on the back of the right
side shoulder of Rama and Lakshmana. Utsavars are in front of Moolavars.
Muthangi seva on Saturdays
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, ardha
mandapam, maha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a
pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The
bhitti starts with vedikai. Brahma kantha pilasters, with kalasam, kudam, and
lotus petals mandi and pushpa pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi,
kapotam, and viyyalavari. Dakshinamurthy, Narasimhar, and Brahma are in the
mahara torana of the koshtam.
One tala brick vimanam with greevam and dravida
sigaram is on the sanctum sanctorum. Ramar sitting on the Elephant, Dakshinamurthy,
Narasimha, and Brahma are in the greeva koshtam.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Based on the inscriptions on the mandapa wall, the temple
belongs to the 12th to 14th centuries, the later Pandya period, and was reconstructed in the 16th – 17th centuries, the Vijayanagara period.
The brick vimanam might have been added later in the 19th - 20th
century.
The temple is being maintained by the “Katturamar
Thirukoil Alaya Paramarippu Arakkattalai”, Tirunelveli.
LEGENDS
Since Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana gave darshan to
Jadayu, this temple was called as Katchi Koduththa Ramar Temple (காட்சி கொடுத்த ராமர் கோயில்). This has been corrupted to the present name of
kattu Ramar Kovil.
As per the legend, during their exile, Rama, Sita, and
Lakshmana, Ravana abducted Sita and took her in the pushpak vimana to Sri
Lanka. To stop Ravana, Jadayu fought with Ravana. In the process of fighting
Ravana severe the wings of Jadayu were severely severed, and Jadayu was fallen down. During the search for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana found Jadayu with a severed wing and
wounds. Jadayu told that Sita was abducted by Ravana and how he fought with him
and died. Rama did Jadayu’s last rites and gave moksha. While Rama, Sita, and
Lakshmana are returning to Ayodhya, they gave darshan as Lakshmi Narayan in this
temple to Jadayu’s atma.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are
conducted on Rama Navami, Krishnar Jayanthi, Hanuman Jayanthi, Varushabhishekam
in June, etc.
Sri Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana are decorated with Muthangi
on the last Saturday, called Muthangi seva.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open for darshan as per the
schedule given below…
Monday to Friday…. from 09.00 hrs to 11.30 hrs.
Saturdays from
07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs.
from
17.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs
Sundays from
08.00 hrs to 14.00 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS
Archakar B. Venkatesan Ayyangar may be contacted on
his mobile +919842688867 for further details.
HOW TO REACH
The Kattu Ramar Temple at Arugankulam is 7 km from
Nellaiappar Temple, 7 km from Thalaiyuthu Railway station, 8 km from
Tirunelveli Junction, 9 km from Tirunelveli New Bus Stand, 54 km from
Thoothukudi, 57 km from Tenkasi, and 166 km from Madurai.
The nearest Railway Station is Thalaiyuthu, and the Junction is Tirunelveli.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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