Vijaya Raman Temple,
Thanjavur
Vijaya
Raman Temple is located in Mela Masi Veethi (West Main Street), Tanjore city,
Tamil Nadu state, India. It is one of the oldest temples for Lord Ram in
Thanjavur City. The West Main Street, which is called a Mela Masi
Veethi in Tamil language, is a well-known locality for the citizens of
Thanjavur.
Bangaru Kamakshi Temple is located in this street. The very next
structure of this temple is Krishnan temple. Few buildings away from the
Krishnan temple, there is a temple dedicated to Ram called as Vijaya Raman
Temple. This temple is under the administration of Thanjavur Palace Trust.
Vijaya
Raman temple is south facing temple has a colorful 5-tiered Raja gopuram
(tower). The tower if full of stucco images of Vaishnavite tradition and there
are some erotic sculptures too.
The
temple belongs to Nayakas period and must be 300-350 years old. The moolasthanam
(sanctum sanctorum) enshrines small idols of Ram along with Sita,
Lakshman and Hanuman.
The
temple has just one prakara (circumbulatory passage). A small shrine with
Garuda is found facing towards the main deity. Also, there is a small
sub-shrine dedicated to Hanuman in this temple.
Four
Kaalam Poojas are conducted in this temple. Vaikasi Brahmorchavam, Sri Rama
Navami and Garudasevai are the festivals celebrated in this temple with much
fanfare.
