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The Rameshwaram mandir (temple) |
Rameshwaram is the Benares of the south and a major Temples centre both for Saivites and Vaishnavites. There is a traditional belief among the Hindus that a Temples to Kashi (Benares) will be complete only after a visit to Rameshwaram by dropping drops of holy Ganga water on Rameshwaram Lingam.
It's also the place from which the ferry to Sri Lanka departs except during November and December when it is normally suspended due to rough seas. The town's most famous monument is the Ramanathaswam Temple which is a gem of late Dravidian architecture. Its most renowned features are the magnificent corridors lined with massive sculptured pillars which are noted for their elaborate design, style and rich carving. One of these corridors is an unbelievable 1220 metres (4000 ft) in length! — the longest in India .
Legend has it that Rama sanctified Rameshwaram this place by worshipping Lord Shiva here after the battle of Sri Lanka. Rama sent his most devout disciple, Hanuman (the monkey god), to Mt Kailas to bring a lingam but the monkey god was delayed and as Shiva had to be worshipped at a certain time, Rama's wife, Sita, moulded one herself which subsequently became known as the Ramanatha. On Hanuman's return, Rama was forced to console the monkey god by having the lingam which he had brought from Mt Kailas installed near the Ramanatha and decreeing that the Hanuman lingam should have precedence over the Ramanatha. The temple as it stands today was begun in the 12th century AD and added to by various rulers over the succeeding centuries. Its gopuram is 53.6 metres (176 ft) high.
Legend has it that Rama sanctified Rameshwaram this place by worshipping Lord Shiva here after the battle of Sri Lanka. Rama sent his most devout disciple, Hanuman (the monkey god), to Mt Kailas to bring a lingam but the monkey god was delayed and as Shiva had to be worshipped at a certain time, Rama's wife, Sita, moulded one herself which subsequently became known as the Ramanatha. On Hanuman's return, Rama was forced to console the monkey god by having the lingam which he had brought from Mt Kailas installed near the Ramanatha and decreeing that the Hanuman lingam should have precedence over the Ramanatha. The temple as it stands today was begun in the 12th century AD and added to by various rulers over the succeeding centuries. Its gopuram is 53.6 metres (176 ft) high.
Rameswaram is the abode of one of the 12 Jyothirlingas of India . It is also considered one among four most sacred pilgrim centres of India . They are Rameswaram in the South, Badrinath in the North, Puri in the East and Dwaraka in the West. Among these, Rameswaram is dedicated to Shiva, while the other three are dedicated to Vishnu.
