Kalaram Temple

Kalaram mandir derives its name from the statue of Lord Rama that is black. The literal translation of kalaram means black Rama. The sanctum sanctorum also houses the statues of goddess Sita and god Lakshmana. Thousands of devotees visit it every day.The temple was funded by Sardar Rangarao Odhekar, and was built around 1788. It was said that Odhekar had a dream that the statue of Rama in black color was in the Godavari River. Odhekar took the statue from river and built the temple.

The temple formed a pivotal role in the Dalit movement in India. B. R. Ambedkar led a protest outside the temple on 2 March 1930, in order to allowing Dalits into the temple. The main entrance has a Lord Hanuman deity which is black. There is also a very old tree that has Lord Dattatreya’s footprint impressions marked on a stone. Pilgrims visit the Kapaleshwar Mahadev temple near the Kalaram Temple.

Surrounding the building of the Kalaram Mandir is a walled enclosed, which comprises of 96 pillars. The enclosure is entered from the eastern side, through an arched portal. The stones used in the construction of the temple were brought from Ramshej. 23 lakh rupees and efforts of 2000 workers went into the construction of the temple, which took approximately 12 years. Kalaram Temple is around 70 feet high and has a gold-plated peak. Situated near the sanctum sanctorum is Sita gumpha (cave).

It is the cave where Sita Mata is believed to have resided during her exile and comprises of a grove of large Banyan trees nearby. The temple is said to be quite similar in its appearance to the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple and has temples dedicated to Lord Vithala, Lord Ganesha and Lord Hanuman, surrounding its complex. The festivals of Ramnavami, Dussehra and Chaitra Padwa (Hindu new year day) are celebrated with much fanfare at the temple. During this time, Kalaram Mandir is practically thronged by devotees, who come to catch a glimpse of the Lord.