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 Rama is present in all parts of our country, from Ayodhya to Tamil Nadu. Vadavur, the Dakshin Ayodhi (southern Ayodhya) or the Ekadasi village as it is also called, is located on the way to Mannargudi from Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu. The area of the temple extends to about 316 acres.
Lord Rama is the presiding deity in the temple. He is called Kothanda Rama because He holds the weapon Kothanda in His hand and conquers the bad by His grace and beauty than by His
valour. The origins of the temple go as follows.
The present idol of the Lord was made even during the days of Ramayana. It was made by Rama Himself. It is believed that the sages in the forests did not want Rama to leave them after His 14 years in exile. To compensate for their loss, the Lord Himself created a beautiful idol of Him. He then asked the sages whether they wanted the idol or the Lord Himself.
The sages who were awestruck by the beauty of the idol said that they wanted the idol. Thus, Rama left the idol in the forest with the sages. After many years, the idol was brought to Thirukannapuram. Here, the idol was sanctified with many poojas. It so happened that there occurred a calamity at the place. In order to protect the precious idol, the people of the place dug it deep under the earth. Soon, people forgot the fact that they had buried the idol. As years passed, the then king of Tanjore of the Serfoji family visualized the Lord in his dream. He dreamt that the Lord instructed him to bring the idol back to light and perform the necessary poojas all over again.
 Due to requests from people of the land, the king installed the idol at Vadavur and this is how the present day temple is in existence. The temple has Sri Kothanda Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman in its sanctum sanctorum. There is also a shrine for Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama. The vimana of the temple is the Pushpak vimana. The sthala vruksham of the temple is located in the southern part. The vehicles of the Lord include Garuda, Adisesha, Hanuman, elephant, swan and horse. The Lord is taken in a procession in these vehicles on select days.
The schedule which is followed daily is revelation of the Viswaroopa of the Lord, followed by other regular poojas. During the days of Brahmotsavam and other major functions, special poojas are undertaken. There is also an old temple car which has scenes depicted from the Ramayana engraved on it. However, it is not used for temple purposes nowadays.
 The landscape surrounding the temple is also great, with many other temples dotting the place. They include a Hanuman temple, Kailasanathar temple and Sundari Amman temple. The temple also conducts daily recitals of Sahasranama and Vedas. Among those who visited the temple include Kanva rishi and Kulasekara perumal. A small place with a rich heritage, that's Vadavur for you.
Sowmya S
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