Ramachandra Temple one of the famous temples of Jaipur is situated on the eastern side of Sireh Deori Bazaar. It is located opposite the entrance to the City Palace. The temple was built in the year 1854 under the patronage of Maiji Sahiba Sri Chandrawatji, the mother of Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh 11. In that year the young Maharaja had succeeded to the throne as a child. It is believed that the temple was constructed under royal patronage to mark the decline of Rajmata`s political power and her growing interest towards religious life.
Ramachandra Temple is a courtyard temple that has a shrine. The temple houses the image of Lord Rama. The garbhagriha of the temple has the images of Lord Rama and his wife Sita. Another part of the temple has been installed with the idols of Lord Krishna and Radha.
The idols also look very gorgeous and are deeply revered by the devotees. They are beautifully decorated and look calm and serene. Since 1865 the complex has also housed a Sanskrit college. The temple represents the historical moments of the period. The temple has been beautifully decorated with intricate designs. The Ramachandra Temple belongs to the pre modern era. The temple has been elaborately carved and it`s architectural and designs are worth seeing. The temple can be described as `traditional.` It is regarded as a multifunctional temple
Architecture of Ramachandra Temple
Ramachandra Temple faces the west direction and has been divided into nine parts. The three main divisions accommodate the main courtyards. The next divisions, on either side, house the ranges that surround those courtyards. In the three-courtyard arrangement of the Ramachandra Temple the first common range has the entrance to the temple on its outer side. It is however linked to the second courtyard. The second common range responds to two courtyards i.e. to the second, and to the third. The main courtyard has the garbhagriha of the temple where the idol of the Lord is installed. It also has a path for the devotees to go around the temple. The overall arrangement of the temple is of a nav shala or nine range griha mandir. The temple is also adorned with a variety of roof types like kamani (bow) and bangaldar roofs, gumbaj or domed roofs and vedi chhatri or flattened roofs in relief. The courtyard also uses a series of circular arches such as the kamani or the bow arch, a double curved arch and a circular arch. Thus the architecture of Ramachandra Temple is elaborate and beautifully designed. Devotes from far off places visit the temple to offer their prayers at the feet of the Lord and receive his blessings. Every year the festival of Ramnavami is celebrated on a grand scale. The temple is lighted with earthen lamps and the temple is tastefully decorated.