Sri Rameshwaram

[Guest guest]

!! Sri Rama Jayam !!

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Rameswaram, an island about 160 km Southeast of Madurai is connected to the

mainland both by a railway and a road bridge. It is a major pilgrim site. It is

believed that the pilgrimage one undertakes in Kasi in the very north should

culminate in bathing in the sacred waters of Rameswaram in order to obtain the

full benefit. According to 'Ramayana', the Hindu epic, Lord Rama himself had

installed the Lingam in this place which therefore gains an added importance and

is held in high esteem by all the Hindus of India both Vaishnavites and

Saivites. The other pilgrimage point in this island of Rameswaram is Dhanuskodi

that is also called 'Sethu'. It is considered meritorious to take a dip in the

sea off the coast of Dhanushkodi. There are several other small temples of

interest scattered around this island.

 

 

Location : Rameswaram is connected by road to all important towns in Tamilnadu.

There are rail connections with all major cities like Madras, Madurai,

Coimbatore, Trichy and Tanjavur. The nearest airport is Madurai.The mainland is

connected by an impressive bridge called Indra Gandhi Bridge and busses ply to

and from many towns in Tamilnadu. This is a railway terminus for the Southern

Railway and there are daily trains from Madras, Madurai and Coimbatore.

 

The Temple : The temple was originally a small thatched hut looked after by a

'sadhu'. Subsequently over the centuries various people added to the structure

among whom the 'Sethupathys' of Ramanand were significant. King Parakramabahu,

King of Sri Lanka, constructed the sanctum around Sri Ramanathaswamy, Sri

Viswanathar and Sri Visalakshi in the 12th century. The temple has three

corridors (praharam). The outer corridor is flanked on either side by a

continuous platform with large number of pillars, each adorned by great

sculptures. The longest corridors are the north and south corridors which from

each end present a vista of receding columns and one cannot fail to marvel the

grandeur and precision of the art of ancient architects and artisans. The

western tower is about 78ft high and the eastern tower about 126ft made up of

nine tiers. There is an imposing 'nandhi' in front of the 'moolasthanam'. The

sanctum of Lord Ramanathaswamy contains a Lingam believed to have been installed

by Lord Rama himself while on the north of this shrine is the sanctum of Lord

Visvanathar which is believed to have been brought by Hanuman from Mount

Kailash. There are other shrines dedicated to various minor deities and 22

'theerthams' (source of sacred water) within the precinct of the temple.

Devotees bathe in these waters before proceeding to the inner sanctum to receive

'dharshan'.

 

Legends : Rama's wife Sita. In the fierce battle that ensued Ravana was defeated

and killed by Lord Rama. Sita was released from Ravana's prison. Rama and Sita

returned to the island of Rameswaram, which was then, called 'Gandhamadana

malai' on their way back to Ayodya. The sages and 'rishis' assembled in

Remeswaram to receive Rama and his consort advised him that as he had killed

Ravana, a brahmin, he should atone for his sin of 'brahmahastya' by performing a

purificatory rite in front of a Lingam. As there was no Lingam available, Rama

asked Hanuman to obtain one from Lord Shiva himself from Mount Kailash. Hanuman

went to Mount Kailash and sat in prayer to Lord Shiva requesting a Sivalingam.

Days passed and Hanuman had not returned. As the auspicious time was approaching

Sita moulded a Sivalingam out of sand and Rama performed his purificatory rite

in front of this Lingam. Later Hanuman arrived with his Lingam given by Lord

Shiva and was dejected to find that his efforts were in vain. Lord Rama seeing

his dejection told him to throw away the Lingam made out of sand and to install

the Lingam given to him. Hanuman then tried to lift the Sivalingam already

installed but could not move it. So Rama advised him to install his Sivalingam

near the one already there and requested all his followers to worship this

Lingam first before worshipping the Lingam installed by himself. So this

practice continues until this day as the devotees first offer prayers to this

Lingam from Mount Kailash as Visvanathar before offering prayers to Lord

Ramanathaswamy.

Festivals and Opening Hour

 

1.

 

Mahasivarathri - 10 days- during Feb/March;

 

2.

 

Brahmotsavam - 10 days- during Mar/April;

 

3.

 

Ramalinga radhistai - 3 days- during June/July;

 

4.

 

Thirukkalyanam - 17 days- during July/Aug;

 

5.

 

Navarathri - 10 days- during Sept/Oct;

 

6.

 

Kanthasashdi - 6 days- during Oct/Nov.

 

7.

 

Aaruthra Dharisanam - 10 days- during Dec/Jan.

 

 

In addition to these there are other weekly and monthly 'pooja' conducted on

special days based on Hindu calendar.

The temple is open from 5am to 1pm and from 3 pm to 9 pm for the devotees and

'pooja' is performed six times on a normal day. There are additional 'pooja' on

special days. In addition it is possible to arrange special 'pooja' on behalf of

the devotees by paying the appropriate fees at the 'Devasthanam' office.

 

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Háre Krishna

 

Hare Rama