Rameshwaram Temple Tour: Explore the Varanasi of South India

Pamban Bridge, Rameshwaram

The grateful pilgrimage destination, which stands for the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlingams of India, which are connected intimately with the Ramayana, Rameshwaram Temple or Ramanathaswamy Temple, is looked upon as one of the most sacred places of pilgrimage of Hindus in India. Situated in the island of Rameshwaram, this massive temple is known for its long complex corridors, towers and 36 theerthams. One of the magnificent features of Rameshwaram Temple tour is the Pamban Bridge across the sea. One can get in touch with this holy temple via the Pamban Bridge.

4000 Pillar Corridor

Spread out over an area of 15 acres, massive Gopurams, monumental walls, astounding Nandi,  4000 feet long pillar corridor with over 4000 pillars, etc are the major attractions of this temple. The engraved granite pillars are mounted on a raised platform. An exclusive feature about this corridor is that the rock used here is not found on the native island, it was brought in from elsewhere in Tamilnadu across the sea. Rameshwaram temple is known as Varanasi of southern India for its prehistoric marvels and sumptuous architectures. Every year quite a lot of people visit this place with holy purposes of offering sacred prayers to Lord Rama. Legends say that this is the place where Ravana was killed and hence it has a great historical foundation.

Nandi at Rameshwaram Temple

The eastern Rajagopuram has a height of 126 feet and has nine levels whereas the western Rajagopuram is not as tall as the eastern one. The huge image of Nandi is about 18 feet tall and 22 feet in length. By taking a Rameshwaram Temple tour, you can experience all these magnificent features with enthusiasm. The temple also has several mandapams with mini shrines to other deities. High walls enclose the temple, forming a rectangle with huge pyramidal Gopuram entrances on each side. The lingams here are housed in the inner section of the Ramalingeshwara. According to a popular legend, it was Lord Rama who installed this Lingam here. It is said that when Lord Rama was drinking water on the seashore there was a celestial proclamation – “You are drinking water without worshipping me”. Listening to this Lord Rama made a lingam of sand and worshipped it and asked to be blessed so that he could vanquish Ravana. Lord Shiva blessed him for that reason. He also called for Lord Shiva to live in eternally here so that whole mankind should benefit from it. Shiva then manifested himself as the Lingam and got established there for perpetuity.

Shiva Lingam at Rameshwaram

Another legend illustrates that this Shiva lingam was made by Sita and Ram worshipped Lord Shiva, while going back to Ayodhya. There is so far another Shiva lingam here – Viswanathar said to have been brought by Hanuman from Banares. This Shiva lingam is referred to as Kasilingam and Hanumalingam. Prayers are offered to Viswanathar before they are offered to Ramanathaswamy. It has one of the famous Jyotirlingams in the place which one would like to worship as a part of Hindu culture. The place has several wonderful temples, which are a great masterwork of ingenuity. The place has highest number of wells as well.

Rameshwaram is one of the holiest places in India. The place has wonderful statuette of Lord Rama encarved in several walls of the temples and the statues of the lord are made with great creative quintessence. The famous festivals celebrated here in Rameshwaram include two annual Bhrammotsavams, celebrated in the Tamil months of Aadi and Maasi. Another festival is to celebrate Rama’s worship in the month of Aani (June15 – July15). One more thing does take lots of photos of Rameshwaram temple while coming back as a sweet memory with you. Rameshwaram Temple tour is a holy place to carry out several sacraments and people from all across the globe come at this scrupulous place to worship Lord Rama and suggest sacred prayers to the holy deity.