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Location :
Island Of Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
Deity Worshipped: Linga Of Sri Ranganatha
Famous Tradition:
A Pilgrimage To Kashi Is Not Considered Complete Without A
Pilgrimage To Rameshwaram
Significance: One Of The 12 Jyotirlingas Of India
Rameshwaram is an island situated in the gulf of manner at the
very tip of the Indian peninsula. A very important pilgrim
centre of the Indians. Rameshwaram is the place from where
Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to rescue his
consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the
place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin
of killing Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit
this pilgrimage which is known as the Varanasi the south.
Rameshwaram is significant for the Hindus as a pilgrimage to
Benaras is incomplete without a Pilgrimage to Rameshwaram. The
presiding deity is the Linga Of Sri Ranganatha, which happens
to be one of the twelve
Jyotirlingas of India. Rameshwaram is also popularly referred
to as the 'Benaras of the south'. In order to attain
Moksha it is believed that the visit to Rameshwaram is
mandatory.
Mythological History
According to the Hindu mythology i.e. the story of
Ramayana Lord Rama performed thanksgiving rituals to Lord
Rama after the battle at Sri Lanka and his triumph over the
demon king Ravana. Owing to this Rameshwaram attracts
Vaishnavites (worshippers of Lord Vishnu) and Saivites
(worshippers of Lord Shiva) alike. Sri Lanka is at a distance
of 24 kilometers from Rameshwaram. In fact the entire area of
Rameshwaram is associated with various incidents from the
Ramayana. Rameshwaram happens to one of the most visited
pilgrim sites in India.
Location and Area
The religious island is spread in an area of 61.8 square
kilometers and happens to be in the shape of a conch. The
Ramanatha Swamy Temple occupies major area of Rameshwaram. The
masterpiece of Dravidian architecture boasts of the
largest temple corridor in India. Different rulers built the
Ramanatha Swamy Temple over a period of time starting
from the 12th century. The temple comprises of twenty-two
wells where the taste of the water of each well is different
from the other.
Pilgrimage Attaractions of Rameshwaram
Ramanathaswamy Temple
Ramnathswamy temple was built in the 17th century.
Situated close to the sea on the eastern side of the island,
this temple is famous for its 1200 gigantic granite columns.
The 54 metre tall gopuram (gate-tower), 1220 metres of
magnificent corridors and the flamboyant columns embellish and
render fame to the temple. The water in each of the 22 sacred
wells in the temple tastes different.
Agnitheertham
100 metres away from the temple is Agnitheertham, where
Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, to absolve himself from the
killing Ravana.
Gandamadana Parvatham
The imprint of Lord Rama's feet placed on a Chakra (wheel)
is found in this shrine which is at the highest point on the
island at 2 km from Rameswaram.
Dhanushkodi
Dhanushkodi named after Rama's bow, is at the eastern end of
the island at a distance of 8 kms from
Rameshwaram. The boulders around the sea between Srilanka and
this place known as Adam's bridge, are
believed to be used by Hanuman to reach across Srilanka.
Dhhanushkodi was completely destroyed by the
cyclones of 1964. Kothandaramaswamy temple is the only salvage
of the cyclone. Idols of Rama, Sita,
Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vibhishana (brother of Ravana),
surrendered to Rama, here.
Going there
The nearest airport is Madurai, 173 kms away. Rameswaram
has rail connections with all major cities like
Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy and Tanjavur. Connected
with all the important towns of Tamil Nadu, buses
and taxis ply regularly. The Andhra Pradesh State Road
Transport Corporation also operates buses to Rameswaram. |
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