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Ramayan: The temples of India are not only centers of faith, but also living witnesses of history, culture and mythology. There are thousands of temples dedicated to Lord Ram and Hanuman ji across the country, but there is a unique temple in South India, where instead of Hanuman ji, his best friend and monkey king Sugriva is special worshipped. This is the reason why this temple remains a major center of attraction for devotees and history lovers.
This unique temple is the famous Kodandaram Temple located in the historical city of Hampi in Karnataka. However, many people also associate it with Andhra Pradesh because the cultural influence of Kishkindha region is believed to extend to both Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka regions. Due to the beliefs related to Ramayana, this temple is considered very important from religious and historical point of view.
The most unique feature of Kodandaram Temple:
In most of the Ram temples, the idol of Lord Hanuman is installed along with Lord Ram, Mother Sita and Lakshman. Usually Hanuman ji is shown sitting at the feet of Lord Rama or paying obeisance with folded hands.
But the identity of Kodandaram temple of Hampi is completely different from this. The statue of Sugriva along with Lord Ram, Mother Sita and Lakshman is installed here. This feature makes this temple different and very special from other Ram temples in India.
According to religious belief, this is the place where Lord Rama, after killing the monkey king Vali, coronated Sugriva and made him the king of Kishkindha. The statue of Sugriva has been installed here in memory of this historical and mythological event.
Huge statues are installed in the sanctum sanctorum:
In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, huge standing statues of Lord Ram, Mother Sita, Lakshman and Sugriva are installed, about 15 feet high. Devotees become mesmerized after seeing these idols.
The biggest feature of these statues is that they were not made from separate stones, but were carved by deep carving on a single natural rock. It is considered a wonderful example of ancient Indian craftsmanship and architecture.
The intricate stone carvings, expressions and grandeur of the sculptures reflect the artistic heritage of the temple. This is the reason why this temple holds special importance for religious tourism as well as for people studying Indian architecture.
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The temple has a deep connection with Ramayana:
According to Ramayana, Lord Rama met Sugriva in Kishkindha. Sugriva helped Lord Rama in the search of Mother Sita, while Lord Rama liberated Sugriva from his brother Vali and made him the king of Kishkindha again.
kodandaRam Mandir reminds of the same historical event. This is the reason why Sugriva is given special respect here and his statue is installed along with Lord Ram. This temple is also considered a symbol of the ideals of friendship, trust and keeping promises.
Why is it special for devotees?
Every year thousands of devotees and tourists come to visit this temple. Along with religious faith, the people coming here also closely feel the ancient architecture of the temple, the huge sculpture and the historical importance associated with Ramayana."text-align: justify;">Hampi itself is famous as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and this temple located here is considered an important part of that glorious heritage. The serene atmosphere and historical background of the temple provides a spiritual experience to the devotees.
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