Jyotirlinga
Sthalams
Rameswaram
This shrine
is located at the extreme south eastern point of the Indian peninsula,
in Tamilnadu. The sethu bridge was constructed to link this land
to Lanka for the Varnarams to reach Lanka. This island temple resembles
the Panchajanya (Vishnu's conch) and like the Tamil letter 'OM'.
The
jyotirlingam was worshipped by Lord Rama to atone the sin of killing Ravana.
Hanuman flew to bring the Linga from Kailasa, for Lord Rama to wroship.
As it was getting late, Rama worshipped the Lingam that was made of sand
by Sita Devi. This Lingam worshipped by Lord Rama is known as Ramanathar.
When Hanuman returned he was disappointed that his Lord had not used the
Lingam that he had brought. Lord Rama pacified Hanuman & named
this Lingam Kasi Viswanathar. Devotees have to worship Kasi Viswanathar
before worshipping Ramanathar.
Rameswaram is
famous for the many teerthams. There are a total of 51 teerthams,
22 of them situated within the temple. Pilgrimage is considered
complete with a bath in the Agni teertham. These waters are considered
to have medicinal qualities.
It is the custom
to worship at Dhanushkodi before going to Rameshwaram. Several spots
in this island are associated with Lord Rama. The Kothandarama temple
stands at the spot where Vibeeshanan sought refuge to Rama.
 
The temple
is situated on the eastern coast. It is a huge structure with three
parakarams and several mandapams with mini shrines to other deities.
There is a huge Anjaneya in a mini shrine. There is a huge Nandi
measuring 12 feet in length and 9 feet in height., with the idols of Viswanatha
Naicker and Krishnama Naicker. There are shrines for Ganapathi and
Subramanya. To the right of the Lord's shrine is the shrine for Parvathi.
To its North is the Kasi Viswanathar's shrine. |
