Rameswaram - रामेश्वरम

Rameswaram is located in Ramanathapuram district, the city is a part of Pamban Island of Tamil Nadu. This place, one of the four pilgrimage places of India, Char Dham, it invites followers of Bhagwan Shiva from everywhere to visit the Jyotirlinga installed in the Ramanathaswamy temple at least once in their lifetime. Vaishnavs also do not miss to visit this place, it is believed that this place is also associated with Bhagwan Rama, an incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu.

Rameswaram History and Architecture
Ramanathaswamy temple is built in the wonderful Dravidian style of architecture. Ramanathaswamy literally means 'Bhagwan of Ram' which refers to Bhagwan Shiva, about whom this temple is dedicated. There are two 'Lingams' inside the temple; 'Ramalingam' made from sand by Devi Sita and 'Vishwalingam' brought from Kailash by Bhagwan Hanuman and installed by Bhagwan Ram. The well, the 1000 pillared hall and many other shrines of the temple attract lakhs of pilgrims every year, especially during Maha Shivratri.

❀ Agni Theertham – A large lake and 22 wells with unique tasting water make it an important pilgrimage site, believed to have healing properties.
❀ Ram Theertham (Gandamadan)- Worshiped by many communities in South India.
❀ Lakshman Theertham – Built inside Rameswaram to give the Bhagwan the place to help his brother in the war against Ravan.
❀ Jatayu Theertham – Commemorates the memory of Bhagwan Jatayu who assisted Bhagwan Rama in the fight for Devi Sita.
❀ Kaveri and Jada Theertham – This place is for the worship of Bhagwan Kapardikeshwara and a Peepal tree representing all the deities.
❀ Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple: Dhanushkodi Temple Bhagwan Hanuman, Bhagwan Adivaraha, Bhagwan Narasimha, Bhagwan Hayagriva and Bhagwan Garuda are the five faces that Bhagwan Hanuman manifested at the sacred site, where the present temple stands. Another attraction of the temple is the floating stone which was used to build the temporary bridge Bandhanam to reach Lanka.

The legend behind Rameswaram
It is believed that Rameswaram is the place from where Bhagwan Ram started his journey to bring back his wife Sita from Ravan and the Bhagwan was helped by the 'Vanara-Sena' and Bhagwan Ram's ardent devotee Hanuman helped him. In versions of the Ramayan, Shri Ram and Mata Sita were accused of Brahmahatya (killing a Brahmin; Ravana, a famous staunch follower of Bhagwan Shiva himself was a Brahmin). After that, to get rid of that defect, Bhagwan Ram performed Agni Theertham and worshiped Shivalinga. It is believed that the same Shiva Linga is in the Rameswaram temple built in the 12th century.

Rameswaram Darshan Timings:
The temple is open from 4 am to 1 pm. And is open from 3 pm to 8:30 pm. The auspicious time for Sphatik Lingam darshan is between 5 am to 6 am every day.

Major festivals of Rameswaram:
Shivaratri, Vasanthorchavam, Rama Linga Pratistha, Thiru Kalyanam, Navaratri, Kanthar Shashthi, Arudhra Darshan are the major festivals of Ramanathaswamy Temple Rameswaram.

How to reach Rameswaram?
Rameswaram city is very well connected by road and railways. Mandapam station is just 2 km from the temple. Regular bus services make traveling to the temple town easy.