Rameswaram Temple
Rameswaram is one Jyotirlinga from 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord shiva located all
The construction of this temple is of 12th century; nonetheless it was completed much later, during the reign of various rulers. Rameshwaram Temple is famous for embracing one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (lingam of light) of Lord Shiva.The temple is also accredited for being the southern most ‘jyotirlinga’ of India. It is known for the place where Lord Rama offered his gratitude to Lord Shiva.
The Lingam of Ramanathaswamy is the presiding deity of Rameswaram Temple. The religious significance of this shrine has made it, one of the most visited temples of India.
Rameshwaram (South) is one of the four major pilgrimage sites of Hindus,(Char Dham) the other being Puri (East), Dwarka (West) and Badrinath (north). The main shrine adores the idols of Viswanatha Naicker and Krishnama Naicker.
In the inside of the Ramalingeshwara, two lingas Ramalingam and Vishvalingam are placed side by side. Preserving the Lord Rama’s words, Vishvalingam is worshipped before Ramalingam. Maha Shivarathri, Thirukalyanam, Mahalaya Amavasai and Thai Amavasai are the major festivals,celebrated here with gusto and fervor.
Legend
Ramanathaswamy Temple is a part of the great epic Ramayana. As per Ramayana, 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 accepted the request 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. Apprehending the situation, 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.
Architecture
Stretched over a vast area of 15 acres, Rameswaram Temple is the typical specimen of Dravidian style of architecture. The skyscraping gopurams (spires) truly dominate the skyline of Rameshwaram. The shrine is acknowledged for having the largest
temple hallway in India. This pillared corridor extends to 4000 feet in length, embracing more than 4000 pillars. Erected on a raised plinth, granite pillars are intricately carved with beautiful images. A hard fact about this corridor reveals that the rock doesn’t belong to the island and it was imported from somewhere across the sea. 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.
Theertham(Water Springs)
There are almost 36 Theerthams here out of which 22 are in the Rameswaram temple. The water of these Theerthams are said to be therapeutic. A bath in these is regarded significant. The Agni Theertham refers to the ocean while the Koti theertham is located within the temple itself.
The Theerthams of the Temple inside the Corridor and their significance
1. Mahalakshmi Theertham:
Location: South of the Hanuman Temple.
significance: Dharmarajan bathed here and became rich.
2. Savithri Theertham:
Location: West of the Hanuman Temple.
significance: King Kasibar got rid of his curse.
3. Gayathri Theertham:
Location: West of the Hanuman Temple
significance: King Kasibar got rid of his curse.
4. Saraswathi Theertham:
Location: West of the Hanuman Temple
significance: King Kasibar got rid of his curse.
5. Sethu madhava Theertham:
Location: The Tank at the third corridor
significance: One will get lakshmi’s blessings and purification of heart.
6. Gandhamadana Theertham:
Location: In the area of the Sethumadhava Temple
significance: One will get riches and their sins will be absolved after getting rid of their penury.
7. kavatcha Theertham:
Location: In the area of the Sethumadhava Temple
significance: One will not go to hell.
8. Gavaya Theertham:
Location: In the area of the Sethumadhava Temple.
significance: Shelter under karpaga Virutchaga Tree.
9. Nala Theertham:
Location: In the area of the Sethumadhava Temple.
significance: One will get Soorya Thejas and reach Heaven.
10. Neela Theertham:
Location: In the area of the Sethumadhava Temple
significance: One will get the benefit of Samastha(entire) yaga and receive Agni Yoga.
11. Sanku Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: Vathsanaba, the Sage, got rid of his sin of ingratitude.
12. Sakkara Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: The Sun got His hand turned golden.
13. Brahmahathi Vimochana Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: Brahamahathi was absolved of his sins.
14. Sooriya Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: One will get the knowledge of the past present and the future and reach the worlds they want.
15. Chandra Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: One will get the knowledge of the past present and the future and reach the worlds they want.
16. Ganga Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: Gananasuruthi Rajah attained wisdom.
17. Yamuna Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: Gananasuruthi Rajah attained wisdom.
18. Gaya Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple
significance: Gananasuruthi Rajah attained wishdom
19. Siva Theertham:
Location: South of nandi Deva in the Temple
significance: Completion of Bhaira Brahmahathi
20. Sadyamirtha Theertham:
Location: In the Amman Sannathi
significance: Emperor Bururoonu got rid of his curse.
21. Sarva Theertham:
Location: In front of Lord Ramanatha’s sannathi
significance: Sutharishna got rid of his blindness(from birth), illness and old age and then he prospered.
22. Kodi Theertham:
Location: In the first corridor of the Temple.
significance: Sri Krishna got rid of his Sin of killing his Uncle, kamsan.