Ramapuram
Ramapuram is a panchayat in Kottayam district of the Indian state of Kerala.
The word "Ramapuram" means "the abode of Lord Rama", the village's chief deity. Ramapuram is unique in the sense that it houses the temple of Rama as well as his three brothers in a radius of just 3.5 km. Lakshmana at Koodappulam, Bharata at Amanakara and Shatrughna at Methiri. Because of this, the village is a Hindu Pilgrimage center too. Devotees mostly visit the temples in Karkadakam, the month of 'Ramayana'.
Cultural Information
Ramapurathu Warrier, (1703–1753) the author of Kuchela Vritham Vanchippattu, adorned the courts of Maharaja Marthanda Varma, the maker of the former State of Travancore and his successor Kartika Tirunal Rama Varmawa. Kuchela Vritham Vanchippattu is the most famous boat-song in the language. Composed entirely in the Dravidian meter 'natonnata,' it is a popular classic which retells the story of Kuchela, an old classmate of Sri Krishna, going to Dwaraka to pay homage to him. In the poem, the poet specifically refers to King Marthanda Varma and also describes the circumstances under which he came to write the poem.
The author, social reformer and political reformer Lalithambika Antharjanam, whose novel 'Agnisakshi'(1980) won the Kerala Sahitya Academy award, lived in Ramapuram.
Source - Wikipedia [Mar 2021]
Temples
The nearby village Koodappulam is known for its Sri Lakshmana swami temple. Ancient ten Nair taravads of Kerala-Mutikat, Parakkat, Pariyath, Arakkal, Kappamadathil, Pathirakkattil, Kaanattu Kannampalakkal etc. are in Koodappulam. Also the Ancient five Ezhava Taravds of kerala -[ThazhatheEdappattu-Edappttu-KizhakkeEdappttu],Menamparambil,Kariythumpara,kuzhivelil,karathankal, etc. are in ramapuram.
Churches
The centuries-old twin churches of Ramapuram are two of the oldest churches in Kerala. The complex consists of a smaller church dedicated to St. Augustine and a larger one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. The church dedicated to St. Augustine dates to 1450 while the one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin was erected in 1864. The structures represent an architectural style from the early colonial period, with the Persian facade influencing the overall Portuguese style. The Roman columns and the veranda are also rare features from the period. The new church building which has three levels is surrounded by 9 steeples. Greek, Portuguese and German architectural styles are used for the facade of the church. It was consecrated by Major Archbishop of Syro Malabar Catholic Church Cardinal Mar George Alencherry on January 13 2019. Now the Ramapuram church, under the Palai Diocese is the Biggest Catholic Church in Asia and India as well as Biggest 'Syro Malabar Catholic' Church in the World.
The house of the poet Sri Ramapuratthu Varrier has been converted to an Upper Primary School, known as Ramapuratthu Varrier Memorial Upper Primary School. There are also many schools run by the church such as St.Augustine's higher secondary school for boys, Sacred Heart high school for girls and St.Joseph's U.P School for boys and girls in Vellilappilly. Alphonsa English Medium school, a prestigious lower primary school, is also situated in Ramapuram . All these educational institutions are known to have imparted quality education to many. The Mar Augusthinose College, a renowned and reputed engineering and business college is also situated in Ramapuram. The college, which is affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, has won numerous awards and ranks at the university level. One of Ramapuram's best known residents is Blessed Father Augustine Thevarparambil (Kunjachan) who is known as the 'Apostle of Harijans'.
