 Rameshwaram
is a temple city
situated in the
Ramanathapuram District.
The peculiarity
of the city is that
it is an island
in the shape of
Lord Vishnu’s
conch. Rameshwaram
is considered as
one of the holiest
places of Hindu
religion and one
of the four holy
dhams.
Rameshwaram is holy
for its Siva lingam
supposed to have
been placed by Srirama
himself after his
journey to Lanka
for recovering Sita
from the clutches
of Ravana. The name
Rameswara is attributed
to Lord Siva whom
Rama had worshipped
before the construction
of the Setu Bridge
to bring Sita back.
Rama installed a
Siva Linga in an
attempt to purify
himself from the
sins of Brahmahatya.
Ravana was supposed
to have descended
from a Brahman.
After his return
from Lanka, Sri
Rama asked Hanuman
to go to Kailas
and request Siva
to get an image
of himself in this
place now known
as Rameswaram. Hanuman
started his penance
and was taking time
to bring the Lingam.
As the auspicious
time was nearing,
Sita built a Sivalingam
from the sands and
all of them worshipped
this linga at the
proposed time. When
Hanuman came with
the Lingam from
Kailas, he was disappointed
to see another Lingam
already worshipped.
Rama asked him to
place this Lingam
beside the Lingam
built by Sita and
asked everybody
to pay their respects
first to the Lingam
that hanuman brought.
The Linga is called
Kasi Vishwanatha
Ramanatha Swami.
There are a lot
of Theerthams that
the pilgrims are
supposed to bathe,
numbering to 36.
The architecture
of the temple is
exquisite. There
are several festivals
celebrated here.
The temple is very
rich.
Rameswaram is the
terminus of the
Southern railway
in the extreme south.
There is a direct
train service from
Madras connected
by the Pamban Bridge. |
