5 famous Lord Ram temples to visit in India: Ayodhya, Ramanathaswamy, Raghunath

India has numerous temples dedicated to Lord Ram. These serve as significant pilgrimage sites, drawing devotees and tourists alike. From the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya to the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, each one carries a unique aura of devotion and history. Tourists from around the world visit them to experience the spiritual essence and architectural marvels.

Here are some Ram temples in India that one can visit:

Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Uttar Pradesh

Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Ram and is home to the famous Ram Janmabhoomi temple. The temple holds immense religious significance and attracts devotees from all over the world. In a latest development, it was announced by the Shri Ramjanamabhoomi Temple Trust that Lord Ram's idol will be placed inside the temple on January 21, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the ‘Pran Prathishtha’ event at Ayodhya.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

Rameswaram is home to the magnificent Ramanathaswamy Temple. It is one of the twelve Jyotirling temples of Lord Shiva. Associated with Lord Ram’s expedition to Lanka, this temple is a major pilgrimage site. As per ramanathapuram.nic.in, the temple has “magnificent, imposing structure, long corridors, aesthetically carved pillars.” It is “adorned with a towering 38-metre ‘Gopuram’.”

Bhadrachalam, Telangana

One of the most famous temples in the country dedicated to Lord Ram, the Bhadrachalam Temple is situated on the banks of the Godavari River. It is believed to be the place where Lord Ram stayed during his exile and is a significant pilgrimage destination in South India. 
“The Temple was constructed in the 17th Century by the local Tahsildar, Kancharla Gopanna, popularly known as Bhakta Ramadas, a fervent devotee of Lord Sree Ram,” as per the official website of the Bhadrachalam temple.

Ramkund and the Kalaram Temple, Maharashtra

Nashik is famous for the ancient Ramkund and the Kalaram Temple, dedicated to Lord Ram. Pilgrims believe that taking a dip in the holy Ramkund washes away sins. The temple, on the other hand, is a hub of spiritual activities, especially during the Kumbh Mela. As per the temple’s official website, the temple was built around in 1792. The site mentions, “It was said that Sardar Odhekar had a dream that the statue of Rama in black colour is there in the river Godavari. Odhekar took the statues from river and built the temple. The place where statues were found was named as Ramkund. The main entrance of the temple has Lord Hanuman idol which is black.”

Raghunath Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

The Raghunath Temple in Jammu is one of the largest temple complexes in northern India, dedicated to Lord Ram. It is an important religious site in the region and reflects the rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. It was built by Maharaja Gulab Singh and his son Maharaj Ranbir Singh during the period of 1853-1860.

As per the temple’s official website, “The gigantic Raghunath temple has seven lofty `shikharas`, where every shrine has its own shikhar. On the very entrance to the temple, a portrait of Maharana Ranbir Singh and an image of Lord Hanuman exaggerate the site. The centrals shrine is dedicated to Lord Ram / Raghunath, who is the commanding deity. Apart from the main shrine, the other shrines encompass various incarnations of Lord Vishnu. There is another remarkable shrine of Lord Surya (Sun God), which houses different forms of the Lord. Inside the temple there are other shrines that house colossal statues of the Hindu gods and goddesses. It is notable to mention here that gold sheets envelop the interior walls on three sides of the temple. It also has a gallery, where various `lingams` (phallic form of Lord Shiva) and `saligrams` are placed.”