Rameshwaram Jyotirling: one of the places of Char Dham Journey Post-18
Rameshwaram
I got up due to hearing thunder. I peeped from the train window, my train moving slowly on the Pamban bridge. It is reddish-brown all around. I checked my phone, it is 5.30 am. Whether Suryadev (God Son) is appearing. The water below the Pamban bridge looking blackish.
I asked a person who seems local, how much time it will take to reach RameshwaramWithin 45 minutes we will touch Rameshwaram.
Early in the morning, my train reached Rameshwaram. All of sudden all auto and taxi drivers attached saying come on very reasonable sir.
I threw my bag on the bed of the hotel and within a few minutes, I was ready for fulfilling the years-long wish Rameshwaram Darshan (seen).
Ramnathswamy Temple
The temple is called Ramnathswamy temple. The importance of the temple increased that the Shivling established by Lord Rama and Sita Maa.
The temple has a big corridor. It is the longest corridor in a temple which has 1200 pillar. The pillars are in Dravin architecture with beautiful art carving on it.
Story Behind Ramnathswamy Temple
As all of us know that Lord Rama killed Ravana and rescue Sita. Despite his arbitrarily act, Ravana was a deeply learned man. He belongs to the Brahman community, who worships like a guru. The killing of a Brahman created the sins of Brahmhatya Dosh.
Lord Rama also affected Brahmhtya Dosh. According to Puran Muni Aagasth advised of Shivling Puja for purity.
(Hill) for bring Shivling.He did not return well in time. Auspicious moment of Puja going on. Mata Sita prepared a Shivling of sand and performed Puja. The Shivling called Ramalingam.
When Hanuman returned with Shivling, he saw that the Puja has been completed. He feels unconsidered.
Lord Rama established Shivling brought by Hanuman, at the north of Ramalingam and called it Vishwalingam. Lord Rama said Vishwalingam worshiped at first.
Even today pilgrim first go to Vishwalingam and thereafter to Ramalingam.
Twenty four Kund Tirth (water well)
It is stated that there are 64 Kund in Rameshwaram, but 24 are important. They represent 24 arrows of lord Rama quiver. The twenty-two kunds which represent a Tirth are inside the temple premises. The remaining two, Agni Tirth is in front of the temple in the sea. Setu Tirth is at Dhanushkodi.
The sea is at a few steps. None of the Kund having salty water. Even more, the sweet water of each Kund differs in the test for each other.
Pilgrim takes a dip in sea Agni Tirth and thereafter go to 22 Kunds, one by one in the temple premises. volunteer and signs board help the pilgrims. If you want to perform Abhishek Puja you can then engage the Panda. Changing room also available on the premises.
The Spatika Darshan started from 5 am to 6 am. Spatika Darshan is important. The temple opened at 5 am to 1 pm and thereafter from 3 pm to 9 pm.
The question asked that- is Rameshwaram a Jyotirlinga? is Rameshwaram is a Dham? The answer to both the question is yes. Rameshwaram count in dwadash (12) Jyotirling.It has a significant position that it was established and worshiped by Lord Rama and Sita Maa.
Char Dham (four houses) journey is important in Hindu mythology. Rameshwaram count Char Dham visit. The other three are Badrinath, Dwarkadhish, and Jagannathpuri.
Panch Mukhi Hanuman
At times we heard and read in Ramayan, but here in Rameshwaram at every step, we find the mark of Lord Rama.
Ahiravan took Lord Rama and Laxman to Patal Lok (under the earth) for killing. Hanuman traces them and finds that Ahiravan only killed when the power of five Dev come to gather. Hanuman took the Panch Mukhi position, killed Ahiravan and scape Lord Rama and Laxman.
The black stone idol covered with vermilion is awesome. Come here to get power and Bhakti (devotion)from Lord Hanuman.
Floating Stone
Nearby the temple premises you can see the floating stone. I saw a big coral stone of 10 to 15 Kg.floting in a water tank. The priest said that these are the stones touched by Nal and Nil. This stone was used in building the Ram Setu bridge. I pressed the stone into the water but it came back on level. How it is possible, nobody knows.
Laxman Tirtham
Laxman Tirtham is just one kilometer from Ramnathswamy temple. It is said that Laxmamnji worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. Temple is colorful, art carving on walls and pillars.
Adjacent to the temple, there is a pond. According to the faith, pilgrims prefer a dip in the pond. You can Sit for some time here, feed to the fish, calm, neat and clean place. It is count in 64 Tirths of Rameshwaram.
Villoondi Tirtham
When you come near about 7 Km.from Ramnathswamy temple you will find Villoondi Tirtham.
It is said that after the rescue of Sita, Lord Rama performed Shivling Puja and returned to Ayodhya. Sita was thirsty, she asked, Lord Rama for sweet water. There was all around salty seawater.
Lord Rama shot an arrow in the sea, a spring of sweet water emerged. The well shows that point where arrow pierced in the sea.
Amazing, a well having sweet water in the sea.
Now, my next destination is Dhanushkodi.
Jada Tirtham
On the way to Dhanushkodi, Jada Tirtham is a pond and a small temple. It is said that Lord Rama and Laxman wash their hair after killing Ravana. They worshiped Lord Shiva in the temple.
Dhanushkodi
If you leave Dhanushkodi during your Rameshwaram visit then your visit is incomplete.
Dhanushkodi is about 30 Km. It is better to engage a taxi to reach here. An auto or an open vehicle is not suitable due to sand and wind.
Dhanushkodi was a beautiful town. All the facilities required in a town were available. The town destroyed during the 1964 cyclone. Now it is called a ghost city. The desolated place
Is it so why should we come here?
Life never stopped. The natural beauty remains always. All things in life are Changeable One side Bay of Bengal and another side India ocean. There is a temple where Bibhishan (brother of Ravana) came to meet Lord Rama. But it is in ruin condition.
Beaches
Dhanushkodi beach is awesome. You can see the difference in the water of two seas. Sri Lanka is only 13 Km. from here.
Ariyaman is another beach at Dhanushkodi. It is inside the main road. You can gauge the Savach Bharat Abhiyan at this beach. Suitable for family and friend trips.
Ram Setu (Adam's Bridge)
Dhanushkodi is a place where Lord Rama build a bridge to go to Sri Lanka. The depth of the sea is very short. The boatman told us that we cannot go there as special permission is required for Ram Setu from a higher authority.
Ram Setu also confirmed by a picture released by NASA.
Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam House
Now, once again I came back in the street of Rameshwaram.
If we talk about Rameshwaram but we should not talk about Dr. Kalam. It is not be justified.
Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam, the popular president of India belong to Rameshwaram. He spends his childhood in these streets. His brother converted his house into a museum. All the books, medals, gifts and research work on missile are kept here.
On the ground floor, there is a small shop where you can purchase handcraft items sea stone, etc.
Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam National Memorial
The memorial was inaugurated by PM Shri Narendra Modi on 27th July 2017. P M told that Dr.Kalam reflected the simplicity, depth, and calmness of Rameshwaram.
The memorial built in a well-planned manner. It shows a different aspect of Dr. Kalam's life.
How a simple man of Rameshwaram reached in the highest office of India, well depicted in memorial.The story from Rameshwaram to DRDO/ISRO and thereafter to Rashtrapati Bhawan shown in the memorial.
The wax status inside the memorial and bronze status behind the memorial are nice.
Dr.Kalam, a simple man, a yogi, a teacher, a great scientist called missile man and popular President of India. His life and thought always inspired children and youths of India.
We pay homage to Dr. Kalam Sir.
Pamban Bridge
Last but not least, the Pamban railway bridge is the oldest sea bridge in India.The bridge joint Rameshwaram to the mainland. It is a cantilever bridge that opened when a steamer passes through the bridge.
If you can manage and reach there when a train passing on the bridge or a steamer crossing the bridge, it is a mesmerizing moment
How to Reach Rameshwaram
How to Reach Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram well connected by rail and road from another part of the country. The direct train from Kanyakumari is available. Train from other cities such as Trichy, Channi, and Madurai are available. The nearest airport is Madurai, which is 174 Km from Rameshwaram. You can take a taxi or another train for Rameshwaram. All kinds of hotels Dharamshala available here. So became worried about staying.
 |
| credit from pamban bridge train passing file of sh.Shaswat Nimesh |
Nice place in respect of natural beauty as well as it has great importance due to religious angle. Rameshwaram count in dwadash Jyotirling and Char Dham Yatra (journey) Your life is incomplete without a visit here. You will be kept it always just in mind.
If you will make comments in the comment box, so I can improve in my next post. You can also like my other post-Kanyakumari where three oceans meet.
Comments