The Temple of Santhana Rama

Our epics and mythology abound with stories of childhood. From the story of the young Hanuman who wanted to play ball with the sun to the pranks of krishna's childhood years. Childhood has been portrayed as this glorious period of fun and frolic as indeed it should be. In fact the Krishna has become so symbolic of childhood, that small figures in silver of the baby Krishna are popular gifts on the birth of a child. These silver figurines are also given the bride at her wedding as a symbolic prayer for her to have children.

In this context, tnmples too have idols of the baby Krishna. Other idols of Gods portrayed as children are rare and unusual. One of these rare idols is of Rama as a baby - Santhana Rama.

The story goes that Mr. Sathyanarayana, the proprietor of the Sri Prasada Vedic Astrology Research Institute wanted an idol of this nature. He soon came across an old portrait of the baby Rama with a toy bow in his hand. With the blessings of the Acharya at Kanchi, he had the idol made.

Interestingly, as opposed to the story of Krishna, which abounds with childhood pranks, little is said about Rama's childhood. The earliest event to leave a mark on our minds is when Rama accompanies viswamitra to help protect his hermitage from the Rakshasas. The toy bow in the land of the child is in keeping with theses memories.

The idol was first installed at Govindapuram near Kumbakonam. This place has its own story behind it. The tale goes that Bodhendra Swami overheard his Guru say that the repetition of the name of Rama would make a person pure. Having seen proof of this, Bodhendra Swami began to believe in this. He started chanting the name of Rama all the time and finally bacame one with the Lord in Govindapuram.

Legend has it that another devotee found the exact spot because he heard "Rama Rama Rama..." constinuously from deep within the ground. This seemed a perfect spot for this unique idol.

The idol was later shifted to the ancient temple of Vanathirajapuram. This village near Tanjore lies six miles from Mayiladuthurai. The Santhana Rama Idol lies in a cradle with the hood of Adisesha protecting it. There are many who believe that prayers at this temple will be answered and a child will be born to them. The idol is placed on the lap of the lady as the prayers are chanted.

What makes this temple unique is that there is an idol of Bala Anjaneya or Hanuman as a boy. A small idol with folded palms, no one seems to know its history. The temple itself is an old one but pujas are still conducted and people throng to it in large numbers.