Ramanathaswamy Temple Historical Significance
Jyotirlingas are Lord Shiva’s holy temples, and it is believed that Lord Shiva has visited them; as a result, Shiva’s followers hold them in high regard. In India, there are a total of 12 of them. Jyotirlinga is a Sanskrit word that means “light column or pillar.” The ‘Stambha’ sign represents the absence of a beginning and an end.
The Jyotirlingas are Shiva’s many incarnations, whose majesty has enchanted believers since the dawn of time. Thousands of devotees go from all over the world to experience Lord Shiva’s sacred sites in search of spiritual peace.
The 12 Jyotirlingas are:
- Somnath Temple, Gujarat
- Mallikarjuna Temple, Andhra Pradesh
- Mahakaleshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh
- Omkareshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh
- Baidyanath Dham, Jharkhand
- Bhimashankar Temple, Maharashtra
- Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram
- Nageshwar Temple, Gujarat
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh
- Trimbakeshwar Temple, Maharashtra
- Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
- Grishneshwar Temple, Maharashtra
Ramanathaswamy Temple:
Advaita Vedanta was used by Adi Shankaracharya to spread Hinduism, and the town of Rameshwaram is a testament to his religion. It is one of India’s four pilgrimage sites (Char Dham) and it gently encourages devotees of Lord Shiva from all over the world to pay a visit to the Jyotirlinga constructed at the Ramanathaswamy Temple at least once in their lives.
The most popular temple at Rameshwaram, which is a tiny island joined to the mainland through Pamban Bridge, is Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple. It is, without a question, the most significant aspect of a Rameshwaram visit. This temple is a superb example of building brilliance, known for its elaborate works, towering towers, and corridors.
This temple features 22 teerthams, which worshippers are said to bathe in to atone for their sins. Even in the Hindu religion’s Holy Scriptures, the Sri Ramanathaswamy temple is held with great respect. It is linked to Lord Rama and his victorious rescue of Goddess Sita following the murdering demon Ravana since it was at this location that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva on their route back to Ayodhya.
The Lingas, which were made of sand, salt, stone, and other materials, gained a lot of fame at Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple. A pilgrimage to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is incomplete unless it is combined with a visit to Rameshwaram, which is known as the Varanasi of the South.
This is one of the relatively few temples erected in the Dravidian style of architecture in India’s history. It’s famous for its architectural splendor, which includes majestic hallways with large intricately carved columns on either side. In these passageways, there are 1212 Pillars. This creates a unique, huge, magnificent, and Palatial Corridor vista that leaves visitors speechless. This is a defining characteristic of traditional Indian temple architecture.
Legend of the Temple:
Lord Rama is said to have slain Ravana, a Brahmin, to rescue his wife, Sita. He desired to atone for the ‘dosha’ of murdering a Brahmin. As a result, Lord Rama, together with his wife and brother, Lord Lakshmana, installed and worshipped a lingam to atone for his crimes, as advised by the sages.
He requested that Hanuman bring the greatest lingam from the Himalayas so that he might worship it. It was taking too long, so Sita fashioned a little lingam out of sand called Ramalingam, which is still in the sanctuary. Hanuman was upset that Rama did not revere the lingam he had brought. So Lord Rama called his lingam Shivalingam and set it next to Ramalinga.
How to reach the temple?
There are no airlines in Rameshwaram, but it does have its railway station (Rameshwaram Railway Station). If you’re flying, the closest airport is at Tuticorin, which is 142 kilometers from Rameswaram. Madurai is connected to Chennai, Thiruchi, Bangalore, and Mumbai by Indian Airlines. By motorways and trains, this religious town is also accessible to all of Tamil Nadu’s major cities.
Autos are the most common mode of transportation in the city, and getting to the temple by vehicle is simple. Just remember to ask if the fare is calculated by the meter.
You may book a cab or a car through rentals if you want to go in style. You can select a vehicle based on the number of passengers. To avoid waiting for charges, book a cab for half or full days.
Best time to visit:
Rameshwaram is best visited between October and April. In terms of weather, Rameshwaram has a tropical climate, which means that while the seasons change dramatically, the temperatures do not. As a result, Rameshwaram is a place that can be visited at any time of year.
Winters are cold (November to February), with temperatures as low as 17 degrees Celsius. This is the best time to go sightseeing and see different neighborhoods. The monsoon season (July to September) is hot and humid, with normal rainfall, although the picturesque views of the coastline region are beautiful at this time.
Places to visit:
- Rameshwaram Temple
- Dhanushkodi Temple and Beach
- Glass Boat Ride at Pamban Bridge
- Agnitheertham
- Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge
- The Five-faced Hanuman Temple
What about the food?
Rameshwaram serves a variety of delectable and elegant South Indian platters and Thalis, most of which are vegetarian. However, the hotels here provide a variety of non-vegetarian dishes, as well as a vast variety of seafood produced by the locals. Filter Coffee, Cuttlefish, Crabmeat, Baby octopus, Keema Vadas, Rasam, Sambhar, Idli, Vada, Dosa, and more local favorites are all worth trying. North Indian, Chinese, and Continental cuisines are all available in the neighborhood.
Things to know before visiting:
- Tourists are encouraged to dress appropriately. Women must wear sarees or suits, while males should don kurta and dhoti or pajamas.
- Attending the temple’s poojas and ceremonies requires no previous reservations. When you get to the temple, you must pay for tickets at the counters.
- Because Rameshwaram is a busy site, keep hold of your stuff. It is quite easy to get mugged.
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