Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Temple
Ramanathaswamy
Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to god Shiva located on the island of Rameswaram in the
state of Tamil
Nadu. It is believed that a visit to this temple washes away
one's sins and brings salvation (moksha).Being situated in Rameswaram, the
shrine is popularly known as Rameshwaram Temple.
Legend
As per the legend, it is believed that Lord Rama
worshipped Lord Shiva here, on his victorious return from Sri Lanka. As the legend
goes, Sages (Rishis) counseled Lord Rama (along with Sita and Lakshmana) to
install and worship the 'Shivalingam' at this place, to compensate the sin of
Brahmahatya (killing of a Brahmin). Lord Rama approved the idea and fixed a
favorable time for the installation of Shivalingam.
He sent Lord Hanuman (Anjaneya) to bring a 'lingam' from Mount Kailash. Lord Hanuman could not return in time and it was getting late. Sita herself made a 'linga' of sand and Lord Rama installed the same. When Hanuman came back with the 'linga', the formal procedures of installation were over. Lord Rama consoled the disappointed Hanuman and installed his lingam (Visvalingam) next to Ramalinga. He enhanced the sanctity of lingam by ordaining that the rites would be made first to the Visvalingam.
He sent Lord Hanuman (Anjaneya) to bring a 'lingam' from Mount Kailash. Lord Hanuman could not return in time and it was getting late. Sita herself made a 'linga' of sand and Lord Rama installed the same. When Hanuman came back with the 'linga', the formal procedures of installation were over. Lord Rama consoled the disappointed Hanuman and installed his lingam (Visvalingam) next to Ramalinga. He enhanced the sanctity of lingam by ordaining that the rites would be made first to the Visvalingam.
The Temple
Temple is also one of the 12 Jyothirlinga temples,
where Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam meaning
"pillar of light".The temple was expanded during the 12th century
by Pandya Dynasty, and its principle shrines were renovated
by Jeyaveera Cinkaiariyan and his successor Gunaveera Cinkaiariyan of
the Jaffna kingdom. The temple has the longest corridor among all Hindu
temples in India.Much of the additions were carried out between the 12th and
the 16th centuries. The long corridor (3rd prakaram) dates back only to the
18th century.Stretched over a vast area of 15 acres, Rameswaram Temple is the
typical specimen of Dravidian style of architecture.
The main entrance of the temple tower has many storeys and
stands tall.The human weakness for being narrow-minded is automatically removed
and they feel their horizons broadened. On the tall stone pillars of temple,
beautiful carvings can be seen.This wonderful temple built on the sand island, is
a work of great art and very impressive.Near the main temple of Rameshwar,
there is a separate temple for Parvati known as Parvatavardhini temple. Besides
this, there are temples of Santana Ganapati, Veerabhadra Hanuman, navagrahas,
etc., At a distance of about nearly 2 kilometers from the main temple, there is
Gandhamaadhan mountain. In spite of being a sandy area, it is very green with a
variety of flora. This is the Nandanavan of Rameshwar.
Encompassing nine levels, the eastern Rajgopuram (spire) soars
to the height of 126 feet. However, the western 'gopuram' is not as high as the
eastern 'gopuram', still it is equally captivating. The temple comprises
numerous 'mandaps' having small shrines, dedicated to other deities. The
colossal image of Nandi (Lord Shiva's Bull) captures the attention, due to its
sheer size. It measures 12 feet in its length and 9 feet in its height. High
fortifications encircle the temple, making a rectangle along with big pyramidal
'gopura' doorways on every side. Ramanathswamy Temple has twenty two wells in
its complex. Being the main attraction of this temple, the wells are also
recognized with their distinct properties. All of these wells have water of
different taste, temperature, salinity and have curative properties as well. It
is said that these wells were made by Lord Rama himself, when he fired arrows
in the sand.
There are 36 Theerthams in Rameshwaram of which 22 are in the temple. The waters possess medicinal properties and bathing in these is considered to be of great significance. The Agni theertham refers to the ocean (the first well) while the Koti theertham is located within the temple itself.
There are 36 Theerthams in Rameshwaram of which 22 are in the temple. The waters possess medicinal properties and bathing in these is considered to be of great significance. The Agni theertham refers to the ocean (the first well) while the Koti theertham is located within the temple itself.
The temple is spread over an area of 15 acres, has lofty
gopurams, massive walls and a collossal Nandi. The stuccoed image of Nandi is
about 6 metres tall and 7 metres in length.
Special to Devotees of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu
This
shrine is regarded as the 8th of the Tevara Stalams in the Pandya region of
Tamilnadu.This temple is associated closely with the Ramayana and Rama’s
victorious return from Sri Lanka. Rama worshipped Shiva in the form of a Shiva
Lingam made of earth by Sita, while returning to Ayodhya. Hanuman was entrusted
with the task of bringing an image of Viswanathar from Benares. Anticipating
delay in Hanuman’s return from Benares, Rama is said to have offered worship at
a pre-chosen auspicious moment to a Shivalingam fashioned out of earth by Sita.
This lingam is referred to as Ramalingam. There is yet another Shivalingam here
– Viswanathar, said to have been brought by Hanuman from Banares. This
Shivalingam is referred to as Kasilingam and Hanumalingam. Prayers are offered
to Viswanathar before they are offered to Ramanathaswamy.Rama also worshipped
Tilakeswarar at Devipatnam nearby enroute to Sri Lanka.There is also a shrine
to Sethu Madhava and Lakshmi in Rameswaram. Sethu Madhava is also referred to
as Sweta Madhava, the term Sweta referring to the white stone with which the
image is made. The Gandamadana parvatam is a hill on the island which bears a small
shrine containing imprints of Rama’s feet held in worship.
Agnitheertham - The
Agniteertham is located at a few meters from the Ramnathswamy temple. It is
believed to be located at the same spot where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva.
Gandamadana Parvatham -
This sacred shrine holds a wheel with the footprint of Lord Rama. The shrine
stands on the highest point on the island, around 2 kms from Rameshwaram.
Ramjharoka Temple - The
footprints of Lord Rama is placed on a Chakra at the Ramjharoka Temple. The
chakra has been placed at the highest point of Rameshwaram. This point is at a
distance of 5 kms from Rameshwaram town. Since it is the highest point of
Rameshwaram, therefore it provides a fantastic view of the blue ocean waters
below.
Rameshwaram has many small temples, apart from the main temples, dedicated to Lord Rama, Lakshaman, Sita and Hanuman. Each temple big and small of Rameshwaram does have a history of its own. Other than the temples, there is also a tomb of Saint Ibrahim Syed Aulia at Erwadi, about 24 kms away from Rameshwaram.
Rameshwaram has many small temples, apart from the main temples, dedicated to Lord Rama, Lakshaman, Sita and Hanuman. Each temple big and small of Rameshwaram does have a history of its own. Other than the temples, there is also a tomb of Saint Ibrahim Syed Aulia at Erwadi, about 24 kms away from Rameshwaram.
Temple Timings :
The temple will be kept open for the devotees from 5 A.M to 9
P.M(except between 1 P.M and 3 P.M). The poojas are performed six times a day
in this temple.
Details of Pooja Timings
1. Palliyarai Deepa Arathana 05:00 A.M
2. Spadigalinga Deepa Arathana 05:10 A.M
3. Thiruvananthal Deepa Arathana 05:45 A.M
4. Vila Pooja 07:00 A.M
5. Kalasanthi Pooja 10:00A.M
6. Uchikala Pooja 12:00 NOON
7. Sayaratcha Pooja 06:00 P.M
8. Arthajama Pooja 08.30 P.M
9. Palliyarai Pooja 08:45 P.M
How to Get Here :
By train : Rameshwaram (Mandapan station just 2 km away)
is well connected by rail with many south Indian cities including Chennai
(Chennai Express), Coimbatore (Jan Shatabdi Exp), Thanjavur (Chennai Exp) and
Trichy (Bhubaneshwar Exp).
By Air : Madurai is the nearest airport to Rameshwaram,
which is located at a distance of 163 km away from Rameshwaram.
By Bus :Tamil Nadu Road Transport Corporation buses connect
Rameshwaram with all cities in Tamil Nadu, including Kanyakumari, Madurai,
Trichy and Thanajvur. Overnight deluxe super fast buses connect Chennai and
Bangalore with Rameshwarm, both cities are nearly 600 km away.
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