Complete Guide about Rameshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
Rameshwar Jyotirlinga Temple
Rameshwar Jyotirlinga History
A Hindu temple in Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) is named for Lord Shiva, one of the gods who make up the trinity of gods. The temple is known as Irmantasvmi Kyil in Tamil, which translates to “home of Ramanathaswamy,” or Lord Shiva. This is how the name Rameshwaram was given to the city. The title “Lord of Rama,” which alludes to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the Ramanathaswamy Temple, is the origin of the word Rameshwaram in the Sanskrit language (Rma-varam). One of the 12 Jyotirlings located in India is the Rameshwaram temple. The term “Jyotirling” comes from the fact that Lord Shiva manifested himself there as a tall column of light, making Jyotirlings one of the holiest locations.
Ramanathaswamy Temple is a part of the original “Chaar-Dham,” a group of four holy sites scattered over India, in addition to being a Jyotirling. Hindus hold these “chaar-dhaams” in high regard and strive to visit them at least once during their lifetimes. According to tradition, one should begin the “Chaar-Dham yatra” in Puri, which is in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. Then, one should proceed in a clockwise orientation, starting with Badrinath and ending with Rameshwaram in that order. The three most revered Nayanars (Saivite saints), Appar, Sundarar, and Tirugnana Sambandar, sung divine melodies in worship of Lord Shiva in one of the 275 “Paadal Petra Sthalams” as well.
The name “Paadal Petra Sthalam” refers to the temples that are referenced in the thevalams, or the divine songs, and the word “thevalam” in Tamil means “garland of divine songs.” One can still find the floating stones that Lord Rama used to build a “setu” (bridge) to Lanka as proof of the Ramayana narrative. They can be found close to Dhanushkodi.
Speciality of the Temple
1.A temple constructed by Lord Rama:
According to legend, Rama desired a sizable Lingam to worship Shiva in order to atone for the sin of killing a Brahmin. As a result, he gave the order to Hanuman, his monkey lieutenant, to transport a Lingam from the Himalayas. However, Hanuman took longer than expected to fetch the Lingam. Rama’s wife, Devi Sita, was comforted by the incident and used the sand that was on the shore to construct a little Lingam. As a result, Lord Rama then installed the Lingam.
2. Hall of 1000 Pillars: In the outside passage of the temple, a hall with 1212 pillars rises to a height of around 30 feet from the floor to the centre of the roof. The Rajagopuram, the main tower, is 53 metres high. The majority of pillars have unique compositions carved into them.
3. The Temple of Lord Shiva: The name Ramanathaswamy, which alludes to Lord Shiva, literally means “The Master of Rama.” Lord Rama, an avatar of the Lord Vishnu, is thought to have built the temple and is worshipped there to atone for the sins that Sri Lankans have committed.
4. House of Many Shrines: This shrine contains the Shiva linga that Lord Rama erected as the temple’s chief deity (moolavar). Dark black granite was used in the construction of the Ramanathaswamy Shrine, while gold was used to coat the Vimana (rooftop tower). Ramanathswamy, Visalakshi, Parvathavardhini, Santanaganpathi, Mahaganapathi, Subrahmanya, Sethumadhava, Mahalaxmi, Nataraja, and Anjaneya all have their own shrines inside the temple.
Rameshwar Jyotirlinga Greatness
The “Treta Yug” is where the mythology originated. The demon ruler of Lanka was said to have been regretful after slaying Raavan, according to the Ramayana, which features Lord Rama (the seventh manifestation of Lord Vishnu). This is so because Raavan was a Brahmin himself and the son of a revered saint named Vishrava. As a result, Lord Rama begged to Lord Shiva for forgiveness in order to atone for his transgression. He made the decision to erect a huge lingam to honour Shiva. So he instructed Hanuman, a loyal disciple and one of his army’s lieutenants, to fetch a lingam from Kashi.
Since Hanuman’s homecoming with the “lingam” was supposed to happen at a predetermined muhurat (specially auspicious time), Lord Rama worshipped a smaller lingam that Maan Sita had fashioned out of sand. This lingam, known as “Ramanathar” or “Ramalingam,” was worshipped by Lord Rama and is how Rameshwaram earned its name. Hanuman was upset to learn that his Lord had not used the lingam he had brought when he returned with it. Hanuman was appeased by Lord Rama, who gave this lingam the name Kasi Viswanathar or Kasilingam. This also goes by the name “Hanumanlingam.”
Before worshipping the lingam constructed by Maan Sita, everyone visiting this temple must first worship this lingam (delivered by Hanuman), according to a blessing from Lord Rama given to Hanuman. Therefore, there are two Shivlings in this temple—one created by Maan Sita and one that Hanuman brought. The custom dictates that when pilgrims go to the Ramanathswamy Temple, they first pray to Kasilingam before worshipping Ramalingam.
Since Hanuman’s homecoming with the “lingam” was supposed to happen at a predetermined muhurat (specially auspicious time), Lord Rama worshipped a smaller lingam that Maan Sita had fashioned out of sand. This lingam, known as “Ramanathar” or “Ramalingam,” was worshipped by Lord Rama and is how Rameshwaram earned its name. Hanuman was upset to learn that his Lord had not used the lingam he had brought when he returned with it. Hanuman was appeased by Lord Rama, who gave this lingam the name Kasi Viswanathar or Kasilingam. This also goes by the name “Hanumanlingam.”
Before worshipping the lingam constructed by Maan Sita, everyone visiting this temple must first worship this lingam (delivered by Hanuman), according to a blessing from Lord Rama given to Hanuman. Therefore, there are two Shivlings in this temple—one created by Maan Sita and one that Hanuman brought. The custom dictates that when pilgrims go to the Ramanathswamy Temple, they first pray to Kasilingam before worshipping Ramalingam.
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