The Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram is one of the most sacred temples dedicated to Shiva. It is one of the Char Dhams (Four Holy Sites), apart from the ones in Puri, Dwaraka, and Badrinath. The temple has one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the southernmost. The 12 Jyotirlingas are considered the holiest, as they are believed to represent Shiva himself. The Jyotirlinga is the supreme part of reality where Shiva appears. The Shiva Lingams represent Shiva's infinite nature or supremacy.
Rameshwaram is one of the most holy pilgrimage spots, second only to Kasi on the southernmost edge of India. A pilgrimage to Varanasi is only considered complete when you visit the Ramanthaswamy temple here. Rameshwaram is an island connected to the mainland by the Pamban Bridge. Sri Rama and his army built the Ram Sethu bridge to cross over to Lanka to rescue his wife, Sita Devi.
Rameshwaram is a sacred place that echoes the Divine aura of Sri Rama, who passed through Rameshwaram to Lanka to find his wife, Sita Devi. The Rameshwaram shore marks his footprints across the sands of time, making this place one of the holiest with his Divine presence.
Visiting Rameshwaram is a spiritual journey to the heart of Divinity, replete with a tranquil atmosphere, sacred chanting and the powerful aura and energies surrounding this island.
Temple History
The ancient shrine of the temple is believed to be a humble thatched hut until the 12th century. It was built as a proper temple by the Setupathi rulers. Significant additions to the temple occurred between the 12th and the 16th century during the reign of other dynasties. In the 13th century, stone blocks were shipped from Trincomalee to renovate the sanctum sanctorum. Besides others, the kings of Travancore, Mysore, Pudukottai, and Ramanathapuram contributed to the magnificent structure of the temple.
The majestic corridor of the temple was built in the 18th century, while the current structure was built in the 17th century.
Temple Architecture
The Ramanathaswamy temple is a symbol of great Dravidian architecture. It has high compound walls (Madils) guarding it on all sides. The temple lies across 15 acres of land and houses 22 Theerthams (Holy Water Tanks), which Sri Rama dug with his arrows and where devotees take their holy dips. The Gopurams (Temple Towers) are 120 feet high, and their interiors encompass huge columns mounted on 5-foot plinths. This temple has 4000-pillared corridors, which have a total length of 3800 feet.
The granite walls have intricate carvings and depictions of Hindu deities. There are five main halls: Sukravara Mandapam, Anuppu Mandapam, Setupati Mandapam, Nandi Mandapam, and Kalyana Mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum houses two Lingams: The Ramalingam and the Vishwalingam. There is a huge idol of Nandi, the Divine Bull and Vaahan (Vehicle) of Shiva, which is 9 feet high and 12 feet long.
There are three Prakarams (Corridors)and several Mandapams with shrines to other deities. The pillars are adorned with delicate scrollwork and brackets of pendant lotuses supported by Yalis (Mythical Lion-Like Beasts).
There is a shrine to Sethu Madhava and Goddess Lakshmi. There are shrines for Ganesha and Subramanya. Goddess Visalakshi's (Parvati's) shrine is to the right of Shiva's sanctum. To its north is the Kasi Vishwanathar's shrine.
Temple Legend
The temple is linked to the epic Ramayana. Legend has it that Sri Rama, after annihilating the demon king Ravana of Lanka, came to Rameshwaram. Having killed a Brahmin (Ravana), Sri Rama wanted to atone for his sin and offer prayers to Shiva. He asked Hanuman to bring the Shiva Linga from Kasi.
As Hanuman was delayed, Sita Devi created a Linga from the sands of Rameshwaram, and Sri Rama installed it at the auspicious moment. Along with Sita Devi and his brother Lakshmana, he offered prayers and Pooja to Shiva, who was pleased with his devotion, blessed him, and manifested himself in the Linga. This Linga is called the Ramalinga or the Ramanathaswamy Linga.
When Hanuman returned with the Linga from Kasi, he was upset to see the sand Linga already installed. Sri Rama instructed that the Shiva Linga from Kasi, the Vishwalinga, would be worshipped first, followed by the Ramalinga.
Temple Significance
The Rameshwaram temple houses one of Shiva's 12 Jyotirlingas, which are believed to be Swayambhu (Self-Manifested). Rameshwaram is one of the Padal Petra Sthalams, where the revered Shaivite saints sang glorious hymns to praise Shiva. The Ramanathaswamy temple is called one of the Char Dhams (Holy Sites) with 22 Theerthams (Holy Water Tanks) that can cleanse all sins.
The temple is of immense spiritual significance and blesses all devotees. It is a symbol of faith, devotion, and spiritual awakening, where devotees offer prayers to Shiva and are cleansed of their sins.
Rameshwaram is a very sacred place for cleansing all sins and performing Pitru Tarpanam (ancestral rituals) to appease the souls of ancestors and grant them salvation. The highest form of religious sanctity is performing Abishekam (Hydration Ceremony) to the Vishwalingam.
Devotees feel an overwhelming sense of relief when they take a holy dip in the Theerthams, which grant them relief, peace, and happiness. These sacred waters have healing properties and relieve several illnesses.
Traditions & Rituals
The Ramanathaswamy temple is a place of utmost worship and devotion, witnessing rituals and Poojas every day. The priests perform Abidhekam (a Hydration Ceremony) to the Shiva Lingams with holy water, milk, and other sacred offerings. Several Poojas and prayers are held, and devotees can participate in the Rudrabhishekam, Navagraha Pooja, and Dhanvantri Pooja.
They can participate in rituals, offering prayers to ancestral souls through the Tarpanam ritual. There is also a special ceremony in the temple called the Thirtha Snanam, where devotees can dip in the sacred waters of the Agni Theertham and seek Shiva's blessings.
Festivals
The most important festival celebrated here is the Maha Shivaratri, which lasts ten days and is celebrated from February to March (Masi). The temple also celebrates the Thirukalyanam (Divine Marriage) of Ramanathaswamy (Shiva) and Goddess Visalakshi (Parvati) from July to August (Aadi). Other festivals include the Navaratri festival, held from September to October (Purattasi), and the Vasanthotsavam festival, held from May to June (Vaikasi).
Temple Timings
Morning 05:00 am - 01:00 pm
Evening 03:00 pm - 09:00 pm
Transportation
By Road- Frequent buses ply from all major cities to Rameshwaram. Autos are available at the temple, or one can take a 3 km walk from the bus station to the temple.
By Rail—Frequent trains to Rameshwaram depart from all major cities. The temple is close to the railway station.
By Air—The nearest airport is the Madurai International Airport, 150 km from the temple. A taxi or Government bus can be taken from the airport to the temple.
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