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Rameshwaram |
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GENERAL
INFORMATION
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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.
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.
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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.
| Places
of Interest |
Ramnathswamy 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.
Erwadi
An important site for Muslim pilgrims, Erwadi houses
the tomb of Ibrahim Sahid Aulia. At a distance of
24 kilometers from Rameshwaram is Erwadi. Muslims
from across the globe visit Erwadi especially during
the month of December to participate in the annual
festival celebrated as a tribute to the saint.
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| Rameswaram
Temple |
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.
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.
Around
Rameshwaram
Ramanathapuram
This ancient town is the district headquarters. The Ram
Vilas Palace of the Sethupati Rajas is a must visit place.
The oil portraits of the Rajas of the past centuries and
the articulately designed ceilings and walls embellished
with eighteenth century murals, the subjects of which
vary from business. Meetings with the English to battles
with the Marathas, make this place more interesting.
Tirupullani
Outside the island, there are three other sites traditionally
connected with Sri Rama's expedition to Sri Lanka. A big
temple in Tiruppullani commemorates the tradition that
there the Lord obtained a bow and arrows to use in the
impending war from its presiding Deity and also that the
Lord of the Ocean who had refused to help Him finally
submitted.
Uthirakosamangai
16-km southwest of Ramanathapuram stands the renowed Shiva
temple of Uttarakosamangai. Manikkavachagar has sung of
it. The Lord is Mangaleshvara and the Goddess Mangalesvari.
The temple has inspired many Tamil works of devotion.
So, of course, has the Ramanatha temple in Rameshwaram.
Sethu
5-km south of the temple is Sethu, where there is a celebrated
temple of Sri Anjaneya, and where, tradition holds, Sri
Rama built a bridge to Sri Lanka. In Devipatnam, or Navapashanam,
also by the sea, there are nine stones visible at low
tide. It is believed that they were set up by Sri Rama
to represent the nine planets, the Navagrahas. |
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| How
to Get There
Air
The nearest airport is at Madurai, at
a distance of 154-km.
Rail
Rameshwaram is well connected by trains
from all the major cities of India.
Road
State transport buses are available
from the railway station to the various places in and around
Rameshwaram. For local transportation taxis, auto-rickshaws,
cycle-rickshaws and tongas are available. Also city bus service
is available in the island. |
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