Kaattu Ramar - An enchanting temple amidst the forest
In my previous two articles, I highlighted Arugankulam as Tirunelveli's best-kept secret, a village adorned with temples all connected to the Ramayana. Among these, the Kaattu Ramar temple stands as a testament to the village's serene and scenic beauty. (Link of my other articles of Arugankulam - Jatayu Teertham and Ettezhuthu Perumal ). Before the 1990s, reaching this temple involved wading through hip-height waters of the Tamraparani River, navigating a dense forest, and seeking the help of locals to summon the priest. Today, a motorable road leads directly to the temple, and while the forest has thinned, the area remains picturesque and secluded, frequented by a multitude of peacocks. This is why it's often referred to as "Kaattu Ramar" (Kaadu means forest in Tamil), or alternatively, Mela Ramar temple. The east-facing temple is architecturally divided into Garbhagriha, Ardha mandapa, Maha mandapa, and a Mukha mandapa. The majestic Rama stands with an ornately