Rameshwaram

About Rameshwaram:

Among the temples in India Badrinath in the North, Puri Jagannath in the East, Dwaraka in the West, Rameswaram in the South are the most famous ones.

Rameswaram is an Island. It has been divided by  narrow sea from the main land. The Rail bridge built up on the narrow sea  connected the Pamban Railway station and Mandapam Railway station. The the Road Bridge also constructed from Pamban to Mandapam.

Rameswaram Temple is more famous than other Hindu temples in India becouse Sri Rama worshiped Lord Shiva in the form of shiva lingam here. So this Temple is Famous for Saivas and Vaishnavas. So both the branch of Hindus come here and mingle together to work ship Ramanatha swamy through out the year.

The baktimarga is one of the telex of Hindu to attain Mukti in life. As for as the Hindus concern pilgrimage is an essential part of their life for worshiping God  by undertaking Sthalayatra.

The holy rivers in the world irrigates the fields and also discipline the life of the people to receive the heavenly and earthly  joy. The roaring deep seas and the ferments consider to be holy and they are still worship.The Ganga, Banaras in the north, the Sethu of Rameshwaram in the south that are holy in all respects.

Pilgrimage started from Kasi Banaras has to be completed in Agni theertham (Rameswara Samundra Snanam).This holy perennial pilgrim center stands as a national integration and attracts people from Kasmir to kanyakumari and Bengal to Bombay and also from abroad.

The Integrity, familiarity and the popularity of this temple is prevalent to the Tulsidas Ramayana and Kambar Ramayana. It has mentioned about Rameswaram in Many places.

Rameshwaram a welknown pilgrim center is not only connected with history of the great epic Ramayana and but also remain the symbol of national integration.

Among the four important pilgrim center in our country Three situated in the north and other situated in the south is Rameswaram it is the only Sivasthala Just like among the 12 Jothir lingam in India 11 in the north and only one in the South is in Rameshwaram.God Siva is workshipped in the form of a Jothirlingam meaning "Piller of light". So Rameshwaram is famous for Moorthy, Theertha and Sthala. This temple is under a shed until the 12th century and was maintained by a saint. In course of time this temple was renovated by many persons. The efforts made by our ancestors when there were no means of transport tell us about the priority. Appar, Sundarar and Tirugnana Sambandar have glorified the temple with their songs.

The Temple:

The main deity is called as holy place of Eswara worshiped by Rama, Ramalinga, Rameshwara, or Ramanatha. According to the Purana advised by the Rishi Agathiya, Rama along with Seetha and Lakshmana installed and worshiped the shivalingam to expel the"brahma hasthiya" sin  as Ravana was a brahmin the grandson of Brahma himself. It is said Rama fixed  a auspicious time for the installation of shivalingam for Pooja and asked Anjeneya to bring Lingam from mount kailas and Anjeneya could not return in time and Seetha herself made a Lingam of sand and the work ship was over. when Anjeneya return with Lingam from far off Mt.Kailas and Anjenaya was avenged and try to remove the Lingam of sand but could not able to remove. To pacify Anjeneya Rama installed the Lingam  brought by Anjeneya on the side of Ramalinga (seetha's Lingam) and named Viswalingam and said here after all the pooja will first performed to Viswalingam  brought by Anjeneya.

                                                       

Holy Theerthas and its Benefits :

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple: This temple situated near the sea on the eastern side of the island is renowned for its magnificent prakaras or corridors with massive sculptured pillars on either side. The longest corridor in the world is here and it is 197 metres long from East to West and is 133 metres wide from South-North. The temple has a Gopuram 38.4 metres tall. Different rulers built the temple as it stands today, at different periods from the 12th century A.D. Pooja is performed for an hour early morning daily in between 5.00Am to 6.00Amto the Spadikalingam that was given by the Shankaracharya to this temple.

Agnitheertham: Sri Ramanathaswamy temple faces east. The seashore, about 100 metres from the main entrance of the temple, is very calm and therefore ideal for bathing. The water at this place is considered sacred and known as Agni theertham. Pilgrims perform poojas in honour of their ancestors at this seashore.

Every body in mankind only by washing of sin one can lead a life with pleasure. To wash of their sins people should perform yajnas or visit holy places. In these 2 visiting to the holy places is more effective washing away the sins. It has been rightly said in the Mahabaratham. In India countless places of pilgrimage the river Ganga extra.Yet the greatness of theerthas increase only by the blessings of only by the holymen who have adomered these theerthas. This has been explained in the Mahabaratham also.

Sri Ramachandra after killing Ravana while returning to Ayodhya wanted to worship the shivalingam in Rameshwaram and for doing so to ward of his sin washed his hair in theerthas and made himself pure.

There are 22 wells within the temple complex where a bath (water from the well is drawn up by means of a small bucket and poured over the devotees by temple staff. There is no need for the devotees to remove their clothes. Surprisingly, the water is quite warm. It is believed that the taste and temperature of each well is distinctly different from one another.  Also, the water is supposed to possess curative powers. For the full ceremony, the devotees need to first take a bath at the Agni Theertham, the seashore closest to the temple and then proceed to the 22 wells inside the Temple. Each of the wells has a special significance ranging from getting rich to ridding oneself of a curse to purification of the heart to being pardoned of all past sins.

The 31 Theerthams outside of the temple, extend from Devipatnam(Navapashanam) and Tirupullani (Darbhasayanam) near Ramnad to Mandapam. Pamban Thangachimadam and Rameswaram though they are the treat traditional importance, many of them have not been properly maintained and so most of the pilgrims do not take the trouble of visiting these places. Several of them are also not easily accessible.

Other interesting places

1.Gandamadana Parvatham:  (hill) provides a commanding view of the island. It also bears a shrine said to bear the footprints of Lord Rama. Lord Rama along with his monkey generals stood here for a view of the area and His plan-making. It is a hillock situated 3 kms away and is the highest point in the island. Here one can see the imprint of Lord Rama’s feet on a chakra. The entire island of Rameswaram is visible from this point.

2.Kodandarama temple: Located on the way to Dhanushkodi from the Ramnath Swamy temple. Here Lord Rama arranged for the coronation of Vibhishan as King of Lanka after his surrender.This temple is located 12 kms away from Rameswaram. A popular belief is that Vibishana, brother of Ravana, surrendered before Rama here.

3.Villoondi Theertham:  This Theertham is situated 7 kms from the main temple on the way to Pamban.is an amazing place. It is said that Lord Rama struck an arrow in the sea to satisfy Mother Seetha’s thirst and a fountain of pure water appeared at this place. Seetha devi drank the water and was satisfied. This place is located 6 kms on the main road connecting Ramanath Swamy temple to Pamban bridge. It is 15 minutes walk off the main road. On the main road, you will also find Ekantha Rama temple  where locals say Lord Rama spent some time in seclusion.

4.Rama Tirtham, Lakshman Tirtham and Sita Tirtham: Located nearby each other and very close to Ramnath Swamy temple are around 1 km walk on main road. Sri Ramar Temple is opposite to the Ramar Theertham. A Gujarathi Samajan constructed a Radha Krishna Mandir is also there.

6. Sugreevar Temple/Theertham: It is situated on the way to Gandamadana Parvatham near the Doordarshan Kendra.

7. Satchi Hanuman Temple: This temple is considered to be the place where Hanuman delivered the good news of finding Sita to Rama with satchi or proof of evidence, Choodamani or the jewel that belonged to Seetha. Situated 3 kms from the main temple, on the way to the Gandamadana Parvatham.

8. Badrakaliamman Temple: This is a temple for Devi Durga, situated 2 kms from the main temple on the way to the Gandamadana Parvatham. 

9. The Five-faced Hanuman Temple: Panjamuga Ajaneyar.This temple is 2 kms from the main temple, the deity of Hanuman drawn with senthooram. Idols of Lord Ram, Sita and Hanuman brought from Dhanushkodi during the 1964 cyclone were placed here. The floating stone, used to build the Sethu Bandanam or the bridge between India and Lanka can be found in this temple.Ramayana and other Indian scriptures mention about the floating stones used by Hanuman and other Vanara Sena to build Ram Setu connecting India and Srilanka, from Rameswaram. Recently, we came across such stones picked up from the Ram Setu were kept in this temple.

10. Jada Theertham: About 3.5 km from Rameswaram on the Dhanushkodi road. Legend has it that Lord Rama, on his way back after killing Ravana, Worshipped Sri Ramalinga (believed to be installed by him). Before doing so, he washed his hair (Jada) in this theertham to purify himself.

11.Nambu Nayagiamman Temple this temple is greatly venerated by the people of Ramnad District. It is situated 8 kms from the main temple in Rameswaram on the way to Dhanushkodi. 

12.Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge (12 kms)  It is also known as the Pamban Bridge that connects the Rameswaram island with the main land. It is the longest sea bridge in India and its length is nearly 2.2 kms and stands as a fine example for Indian architecture. The bridge was constructed with sufficient elevation. The islands near by and parallel rail bridge below can be viewed from this bridge.Pamban Road Bridge This engineering marvel took 14 years to complete and was inaugurated in 1988. It is designed like a bow over the sea to allow ships to pass beneath it.The bridge is 2.34 km. long, with a clearance of 24.4 mts. and it is supported by 79 pillars, 64 of which are built in the sea.

Pamban Rail Scissors Bridge Connecting the island of Rameswaram to the mainland, this 2.06 km. long rail bridge was built in 1913. with stones brought from a distance of 320 km. and sand from 160 kms. The bridge was constructed on 145 stone pillars. A portion of the bridge opens up likes a pair of scissors to let the ship pass under it. On December 22,1964, a devastating cyclone destroyed part of this bridge. The Indian engineers rebuilt it in exactly 45 days and made it operational once again.

13. Dhanushkodi: Dhanushkodi is a strip of land about one km wide and 18 kms long on the easternmost tip end of the Rameswaram island. Legend hasit that Lord Rama struck the bridge that he had built to Lanka at this place with the tip of his bow. Thus the bridge was broken. This is on one side are the waters of the Indian Ocean and on the other the waters of the Bay of Bengal. The two seas otherwise known as Ratnakaran and Mahodadhi with their confluence is shaped like a bow while the strip of land resemble an arrow poised for release. Devout Hindus consider the Adi Sethu or the arrowhead, a sacred place to perform religious rites. It is also place worth visiting for its scenic beauty and bird life. Dhanushkodi was completely washed away by the 1964 cyclone. Tourists can witness the remains of the devastated town. Tourists can do surfing here.

 Dhanushkodi Railway Station

Church

Light House

Devastated town.

14. Kurusadai Island: (23 kms) This island can be seen off the main land of Ramanathapuram in the Gulf of Mannar. It is a Marine Biosphere, a paradise for the Marine Biologists and Nature lovers. Marine wealth abounds here and this attracts many a scholar and researcher to this Island. It is about 4 kms from Mandapam. The Fisheries Department gives permission to visit this Island. Off Kurusadai Island one can see plenty of coral reefs, and marine life such as the dolphins and sea cows or the Dugong. There is much potential here for eco-tourism, scholars and ecologists.

15. Ramalingavilasam Palace: This palace in Ramanathapuram that is currently under renovation. The Sethupathi Rajas built the palace in the latter part of the 17th century. The colorful, huge murals painted with natural dyes depict everything from business meetings to military conflicts. They are truly breathtaking to behold. The palace also houses a museum of the weapons used by the Sethupathis in the various wars.

The structure of this temple and the famous corridors are well known for Indian architecture. The Third corridor has 1212 pillars and has the length 2250 feet. Their height is about 30 feet from the floor to the center of the roof. It is the longest corridor in the world. The stone carving and the temple structure is a mile stone of Indian architecture.

Story behind the Deity:

5.Ekandaramaswamy Temple: After the war and seetha's return Sri.Rama consider to be the place of relaxing in the form of Ekanda posture. A Stone (unpolished) Spatika lingam is here. Inside the temple Amirtha Vabi Teertha (earth) well is there. The holy Teertha is equivalent to nectar.

  Gowri a fisher woman having a shop living with hope

Article by: Hema prabhakar
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