The Ayodhya of Tirunelveli

Nestled in the southern folds of Tamil Nadu, near the enchanting Tamraparani River, is the serene village of Arugankulam—a hidden treasure trove of temples steeped in the mystique of the Ramayana. This unassuming hamlet unfolds a tapestry of ancient legends and sacred sites that echo the tales of Rama and Sita.

In the Ramayana legend, Jatayu, the Vulture King, courageously confronted Ravana during the abduction of Sita. Despite losing the battle and sustaining severe injuries, Jatayu fell to the ground. Rama and Lakshmana discovered the wounded bird while searching for Sita. Touched by Jatayu's sacrifice, Rama granted it Moksha, traditionally believed to have happened on the Godavari riverbanks but locally placed in the village of Arugankulam near Tirunelveli.

According to legend, Jatayu, before passing away, desired to have darshan of Rama and Sita. As Sita was still in captivity, Rama appeared to Jatayu as Narayana, accompanied by Lakshmi. The Jatayu Moksham temple in Arugankulam houses Lakshmi Narayana, with the presiding deity being Narayana, accompanied by Lakshmi on his left lap. The temple also features a unique sculpture of Jatayu. The ambiance is enhanced by three holy wells—Jatayu Teertha, Vishnu Teertha, and Shiva Teertha—considered sacred water bodies. The ancient temple, with a newly built superstructure, showcases captivating images narrating the story of Jatayu's Moksha against the lush backdrop of forests and the tranquil Tamraparani River.

In the renowned tale of Rameswaram and its deep connection to the Ramayana, Ravana's abduction of Sita led to a victorious war waged by Rama. During his journey back to Ayodhya, Rama halted at Rameswaram, installing a Shiva Linga named Ramanatha to seek redemption for his Brahmahatya dosha.

Less known is Adi Rameswaram in the temple-rich region of Arugankulam village on the Tamraparani River's banks. The temple, believed to be at the site of Jatayu's Moksha, houses a Shiva Linga named Ramalinga, predating the one in Rameswaram and earning the temple the title of Adi Rameswaram. To provide Moksha to Jatayu, Rama prayed to Lord Shiva and installed the Linga in this site.

A unique feature is a separate east-facing shrine dedicated to Pind Rama, featuring a 7 feet high sculpture of Rama offering pind daan for Jatayu's soul. Opposite stands Jatayu, instead of Garuda.

After getting back Sita, it is believed that Rama visited the village along with Sita and gave darshan to remember the past request of Jatayu. The site where the couple gave darshan has a temple now. Among these, the Kaattu Ramar temple stands as a testament to the village's tranquil beauty. Before the 1990s, reaching this temple was an adventure, involving wading through hip-height waters of the Tamraparani River, navigating a dense forest, and seeking locals' help to summon the priest. Today, a motorable road provides direct access, and though the forest has thinned, the area remains picturesque and secluded, frequented by peacocks. This is why it's often referred to as "Kaattu Ramar" (Kaadu means forest in Tamil), or alternatively, Mela Ramar temple.

The majestic Rama stands with an ornately crafted bow in his left arm and a sword in his right, with Sita holding a flower to his right and Lakshmana wielding a bow and sword to his left. The beauty of these three large Murtis is unparalleled, offering a darshan of Rama that rivals the celestial. Even the bronze icons of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana in the main shrine are of exceptional quality.

Notably, Arugan Kulam was the birthplace of Mayandi Siddhar in 1891, who received a divine vision of Lord Rama in his dreams. Rama instructed Siddhar to build a temple on the spot where he rested after performing the last rites for Jatayu. Thus, the Ettezhuthu Perumal Temple was erected, with Rama manifesting in the form of Vishnu. Despite the presiding deity being named Dharmapati, locals affectionately refer to the deity as Ettezhuthu Perumal, derived from the Ashtachara chant "Om Namo Narayanaya."

Adjacent to the temple, a Gosala housing around 300 cows stands out. Though it is common to find Gosala within a temple complex, it is unusual to find a temple within a Gosala. This Gosala is unique for having its own temple, featuring a striking black marble Krishna playing the flute (called Venu Gopala), with a white cow depicted behind him. Small metal images of Radha and Krishna grace the same shrine.

Thus, this small village is a treasure trove of temples connected to the Ramayana. There is nothing wrong to call this village the Ayodhya of Tirunelveli, right?

Happy travelling.