Sri Rameswaram Jyotirlinga, Tamil Nadu
The 7th Jyotirlinga is located in an island on the eastern seashore of Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu state. The temple is located at 155km from Madurai.
Introduction
Rameshwaram Jyotrlnga is one of the oldest and most famous pilgrimage centre in India. It is associated with the history of the Ramayana period. The Kashi pilgrimage is considered to be one of the most important religious duties of Hindu people and the Kashi yatra is complete only after worshipping Ramanathaswamy in Rameshwaram. Rameshwaram is the only south indian shiva temple of the four major temples viz, Rameshwaram, Dwarka, Puri and Badrinath. Rameshwaram is the only Shiva temple and the three are vaishnav temples, out of these Char Dham. Only Rameshwaram is in South India out of the twelve Jyotirlingas, eleven are located in the north India.
The place is called Rameswaram because of the worship of lord Shiva by Sri Rama.
Temple Timing :
Morning Darshan : 06.00 am to 01.00 pm
Evening Darshan : 03.30 pm to 08.30 pm
Some Pujas at the Rameswaram Jyotirlinga Temple
- Palliyarai Deepa Arathana 05.00 am
- Spadigalinga Deepa Arathana 05.10 am
- Thiruvananthal Deepa Arathana 05.45 am
- Vila Pooja 07.00 am
- Kalasanthi Pooja 10.00 am
- Uchikala Pooja 12.00 pm
- Sayaratacha Pooja 06.00 pm
- Arthajama Pooja 08.30 pm
- Palliyarai Pooja 08.45 pm
Some famous Poojas at Rameswaram Ramanathasamy Temple ….
- 1008 Silver Kalasa Abhishekam
- 108 Silver Kalasa Abhishekam
- 1008 Kalasa Abhishekam (copper)
- Rudrabhishekam
- Panchamirtha Abhishekam
- Gangabhishekam with Ganges & Vessel
- Swami Sahasranama Archana
- Rudrajapam
- Swami Astothra Archana
Festivals celebrated at Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga
Some other Temples around Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga
- Mahashivaratri : Devotees of Lord Shiva believe that Shiva is the Adiyogi, who is the source of the Yogi tradition. Also, devotees observe it by remembering Lord Shiva and chanting prayers, fasting, doing Yoga as well as meditating.
- Ramalinga Prathishtai : A 3 Days festival celebrating the installation of the Ramalingam. The festival occurs during May – June.
- Thirukalyanam : The celestial wedding ceremony of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati carried on for a fortnight and occur in July – August.
- Navaratri & Dussera : A 10 Days festival celebrated in September – October.
- Aarudhira Dharshan : This is an important day in the Shaivite calendar, when Lord Shiva indulges in a cosmic dance. Also, Lord Nataraja – Lord Shiva’s avatar, performs this ecstatic dance on a day that coincides with the longest night of the year. This festival occurs during December – January.
- Satchi Hanuman Temple : This temple is a great significance in the Ramayana. This is the place where Hanuman conveyed to Lord Rama that Sita is in Lanka. Also, Hanuman gave Sita’s jewel as an evidence or Satchi. Hence, the spot became popular as Satchi Hanuman Temple. Located just 3 km from Ramashwaram Ramanathaswamy Temple.
- Panchmukha Hanuman Temple : This temple has a majestic idol of Lord Hanuman with five faces covered in vermillion. The devotees come here to see the floating rocks that Lord Hanuman’s army used to built the Ramsethu (bridge) between India and Sri Lanka. This Panchmukha Hanuman temple is 2 km from the Ramshwaram Ramanathaswamy Temple.
- Badrakaliamman Temple : This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga, located just 2 km from the Rameshwaram RAmanathawamy Temple.
- Nambu Nayagiamman Temple : This Nambu Nayagiamman Temple is 8 km from the Rameshwaram Ramanathswamy Temple which was built in 14th century. The people of Ramnad built this temple as a mark of their faith and respect for Lord Rama.
- Kothandaramaswamy Temple : Devotees believe that Vibhishana, brother of Ravana, sought Lord Rama’s refuge in this place. Also, Lord Rama coronated Vibhishana after his victory in Lanka, in this place. This Kothandaramaswamy Temple is 12 km away from RAmeshwaram Ramanathaswamy Temple.
Significance of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Temple
The sanctum sanctorum of the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga has 2 lingas – The Ramalingam (made out of sand by Sita) and the Vishwalingam (brought by Hanuman. As the Lingam had brought by Hanuman all the way from Kailash, Lord Rama instructed that everyone should worship Vishwalingam first.
The entire Rameshwaram island and nearby areas are in relation to Lord Rama. This place is important for both Shaivites and Vaishnavites because, as per beliefs, many incidents of Ramayana happed here. RAmeshwaram has 50 Teerths or holy wells, and 22 of these are inside the temple. The water of these wells is believed to possess medicinal properties. Also, the water from each Teerth tastes different and offers various remedies.
History
Rameswaram means in Sanskrit “Lord of Rama, an epithet of Shiva, the presiding deity of Ramanathaswamy Temple. As per the Hindu epic Ramayana, Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, prayed to Lord Shiva here to absolve any sins that he might have committed during his war against Ravana in Sri Lanka. As per Puranas, upon the advice of sages Lord Rama with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman, installed and worshipped the lingam (an iconic symbol of Lord Shiva) here to expiate the sin of Brahmahatya incurred while killing of Ravana who was Brahmin.
Killing a Brahmin (Ravana was a Brahmin) is a sin, Lord Rama wished to worship Lord Shiva. Lord Rama sent Lord Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring Lord Shiva’s idol and Lord Rama and Sita were living on the island. When they tried to drink the water, a powerful and divine voice spoke to them.
The voice chided Lord Rama that he was drinking the water without worshipping. Hence, instead of waiting for Hanuman, Lord Rama instructed Sita to make a Linga with the sand and water from the seashore.
Lord Shiva was worshipped in this form and pleaded for mercy. Lord Shiva manifested himself as the Jyotirlinga, blessed Lord Rama and accepted to stay here and bless mankind forever. The Jyotirlinga was named as Ramanathaswamy and the place was called as Rameshwaram.
Architecture of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga
Pandya Dynasty rulers expanded the temple in 12th century AD.
The architecture of Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to a host of gods and goddess carved on the walls of this temple.
The temple has the world’s largest corridor around 1220 mars and also comprises of nearly 1200 magnificent granite pillars in total.