 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.
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.
Location and Area
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.
Pilgrimage Attaractions of Rameshwaram
 Ramanathaswamy
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Going there
The nearest airport is Madurai, 173 kms away. Rameswaram has rail
connections with all major cities like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore,
Trichy and Tanjavur. Connected with all the important towns of
Tamil Nadu, buses and taxis ply regularly. The Andhra Pradesh
State Road Transport Corporation also operates buses to Rameswaram
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