12 Jyotirlinga Kshetram !! Sri Ramanatha Swamy Temple - Rameshwaram !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

 

 

We a group of seven members started our journey from Chennai to Rameshwaram by Rameshwaram Express.  Our senior members were in an opnion that we should leave home early so that we would be able to avoid the last minute rush.  The train leaves from Chennai Egmore Station at 5’ o clock in the evening and reach Rameshwaram at 4’ o clock in the morning.  We had heavy load to carry with us for three days stay in Rameshwaram.   As planned earlier, our stay in Rameshwaram includes visit to Rameshwaram Temple and take holy dip in all the theerthas, Dhanush Koti and visit to Thirupullani.

 

Our train journey to Rameshwaram was not all pleasant one.  We thought we could get some privacy in the A/c compartment.  But we were completely wrong; people from non-a/c stuffed into our compartment and started talking in loud voices.  It was so irritating and spoilt our holiday mood.  We all were so tired of long day and wanted to have some sleep before we reach Rameshwaram.  We sincerely prayed to Mahaperiya to get things settled.  Finally, those people started to leave slowly after seeing our irritating faces.  It was my duty to serve the seniors with food and bedding arrangements.  I perfectly finished my job and climbed up to sleep.  We all managed to have good sleep till Ramanathapuram.  When Ramanatha Puram arrived a large of number of passengers got down, I managed to get some information from them about Pamban Bridge.  Me and my Mom slowly moved with our trolleys to the exit door, arranged them like a seat and settled there.  Later the entire compartment (I mean our family) settled near the exit door to view Pamban Bridge.  It was too early 4’00 clock in the morning, there was not much light, somehow we managed to have beautiful view of the sea and bridge.  We were screming and yelling with joy.  Before too long the train pulled up to our final destination - Rameshwaram Station.  
 

As soon as we arrived in Rameshwaram station, there were lots of Autorickshawalas and Taxis were at service.  I have to reveal a very important fact that from my three days observation ‘Rameshwaram and its people sleep very little’.  The streets were always busy and lively with the crowd of devotees and vendors.  Most of the choultries will have long queue always on their entrance with guests keep coming and going.   The temple of Ramanatha Swmay and its Praharams are always crowded with devotees. 

Our mentor Sri Babu Vadhyar (N. Ganapatirama Sharma – 09486257540) has already arranged the rooms and transporation etc.. We were stayed in Sri Rama Anjaneya Chathram in the North Car Street. (Sri Ramanjaneya Chatram – contact No. 04573 222224)  It was a perfect place to stay and very close to temple, listening to devotional hymns/ Suprabatham starts at 3’ o clock in the morning was a truly fantastic experience.  We were staying in 2^nd floor; the room was adequate with good bedding facilities and neat washroom.  The non-stop breeze is the speciality of this place I believe.  We all settled in our nest and got ourselves ready to leave for holy dip in 22 theerthas.  Sri Babu Vadhyar assisgned the work to a Brahmin guy and he was as our tour guide to 22 Theerthas.  He led us to Agni Theertham which situated out of the temple to have a holy dip.  Immediately finish bathing in Agni Theertham, myself and my husband with our son performed ‘Dhanam’ (donating money, cloth, flower and fruit along with betel leaves) to a Brahmin.  Then, we all set to leave for dip in holy theerthas inside the temple premises.  He took us to all the 22 theerthas and poured a bucket full of water on each one of us.  We finished the initial process of holy dip in all the theerthas and returned to our rooms.  As per the instruction of our Mentor Sri Babu Vadhyar we all dressed up in religious attire and left to East entrance of the temple.  There we found Sri Babu Vadhyar, a pious and scholarly person of mid aged.  He introduced himself to us in his loud and excellent clarity voice.  He continued and also informed us that he wants to test our devotion and sincereity in visiting this sacred land.  He began his intellectual speech; he described each and everything about the Sthala Puranas, Temple Architecture, Temple Histories and introuduced us to all the sannidhis. He described each and everything before his eyes, temple carvings, world’s largest Praharam, Sannidhis, Paintings, Golden chariot, celestial vehicles, materials used for constructions etc…My Lord  it was truly mesmerizing tour inside the temple.  In between he informed us that after finishing our tour inside the temple, he may ask a few questions for that we should be able to reply him with correct answer.  I was quite nervous; Lord we all are starving and tired of yesterday’s journey. I told to myself ‘Yellam Pramadham, anal ithumattum konjam kashtamana Samacharam’.   But I, my Mom and my husband were not ready to leave this challenge like that. We replied in chorous ‘Sari Mama Appadiye akattum.’ We started our spiritual journey inside the temple with our Guru Sri Babu Vadhyar.  He filled our brains with lots and lots of informations and it was such a fortunate occasion of Goddess Parvatha Vardhini Thayar’s Thirukalyanam was due in two days.   I wish everyone should avail such a blissful soul as their mentor.  He speaks only about Lord Ramanatha Swamy and thinks about Him only.  He had little interest to know about us personally.

 

Sri Babu Vadhyar led us through the huge crowd inside the praharams and took us to Sanctum Sanctorum.  We had to wait for few minutes, as the exciting moment arrived we all were sitting in front of Sri Ramanatha Swamy for ‘Ganga Pooja’.  We all had good dharshan of Sri Ramanatha Swamy.  Sri Babu Vadhyar took us to each and every sannidhis, Kailasha Linga, Spatika Linga, Vinayaka, Subramanya, Soma Skandha, Kasi Viswanathar & Visalakshy, Lord Nataraja, Goddess Parvatha Vardhini Thayar, Thirukalyana Mandapam, Palliyarai, Ashtalakshmis, Rudraksha Mandapam, Yoga Guru Sage Patajali’ Samadhi, Lord Vishnu on Adishesha Nagadevatha etc..

 

Our morning tour program ended at around 1’ oclock and lunch was served at 2’ clock in a Brahmin house.  We all were tired of hunger and lack of sleep, had a good snooze till 4’ o clock.  In the evening our Taxi driver – Mr.Sivakumar arrived to pick us.  In the entire Rameshwaram expedition we were with Mr. Sivakumar a good natured cab driver.  I strongly recommend to people whoever willing to take up a visit to this sacred land should get a mentor like Babu Vadhyar and a good cab driver Mr. Sivakumar who had thorough knowledge about the whole of Rameshwaram. 

In the evening our driver sab took us to the holy theerthas outside the premises of Sri Ramanatha Swamy Temple, Ekantha Ramar Kovil, Gandhamadhana Parvatham, Ramar Padham, floating stone, Pancha Mukha Anjaneya temple and finally to Dr. Abdul Kalam’s residence and the famous shopping place adjacent to it.   We thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip and anxiously waited for  the next day’s program. 

 

On the second day, early in the morning we all were ready to leave to Ramanatha Puram.  Our drive sab was ready at our service.  We all stuffed into his vehicle with a trolly.  He was surprised to see our trolley.  I informed him that we all wanted to take a dip in Navapashanam.  He informed us that the water and the whole area is not that easy to get into worship the Lord Navagrahas, holy dip in the water is totally impossible task to perform.  We were so disappointed to see our much awaited plan to have bath in the holy water wherever possible was out of question. 

 

Navapasaham – Lord Navagraha:
 

Devipattanam is a coastal village was previously known by the name Dharbharayam.  Navapasham is the place to worship Lord Navagrahas.  The legened has that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Navagrahas seeking their blessings before leaving to Lanka.  The nine stones stood erect in the water represents nine planets worshipped by Lord Rama can be seen on the seaside.   But, the surrounding areas were not all in a position to walk freely or to worship.  The entire area was soaked and polluted with the deposits of the sacred Dharbha left without being noticed for big time.  It was totally in a pathetic state, we were really shocked to see the treasures remained ignored by the concerned authorities.  It brought tears in all our eyes.  The interesting part is that, we have performed the Navagraha Archana standing on the platform constructed around the Navagrahas.  The saddest part was that we had to leave this place without having a holy dip. 

 

Our next destination was Thiru Uthara Kosa Mangai – Lord Managala Nathar and Goddess Mangalambikai / Mangaleshwari Temple.  This is one of the oldest temples known as Thevara Padal Petra Shivasthalam.  Thiru Gnana Sambandhar acquired pranavopadhesham from Sri Mangala Nathar in this temple.  We had awe-inspiring tour inside the breathtaking beauty of this vast temple and had dharshan of Lord Mangalanathar and Mangalambikai.

 

Please follow this link below to read more about Thiru Uthara Kosa Mangai.
 

http://indiatempletour.blogspot.com/2011/10/our-temple-tour-to-thiru-uthara-kosa.html

 

Our next destination was already decided by our driver Sab.  We all headed to Thirupullani Sri Kalyana Jagannatha Perumal & Sri Padmasini Thayar temple.

 

Please follow the link below to read about our tour to Thirupullani Sri Kalyana Jagannatha Perumal and Sri Padmasini Thayar Temple.

 

http://indiatempletour.blogspot.com/2011/10/our-temple-tour-to-thirupullani-sri.html

 

We got back to our nest around 2’o clock and had lunch in Gujarati Bhojanasala (This is the only place where we loved to eat in Rameshwaram.   The food was excellent, the whole area was well maintained and method of serving was just the right.   Everything about this place was extraordinary.  During our entire stay in Rameshwaram we had our food from this place.  In the evening, as planned earlier our driver sab was ready with an open Jeep to visit Dhanushkoti.  He patiently explained each and every places in Dhanushkoti Village and the reaminings after the Tsunami hit.  We covered almost every inch of the dryland in Dhanushkoti.  It was incredible journey and exhilarating experience.  But poor driver sab was too anxious to take us safely from this hazardous place to our nest at the earliest.  The breathtaking landscape, worthy reminder of the old village Dhanushkoti, deafening waves, fierce wind and crystal clear water bodies in the Dhanushkoti village everything were  fascinating  and the most enjoyable sight.   

 



 

Sri Ramanatha Swamy Temple is situated in the island of Rameshwaram is one of the Dwadasha Jyotir Linga Kshetram as old as the great epic Srimad Ramayanam.  The present spectacular structure of this temple were the contributions of the Kings who where lived in 12^th 15^th and 18th century respectively.   During 12^th century the King of Ceylon – Parakrama Bahu constructed the sanctum sanctorum and consecrated the Linga - Sri Ramanatha Swamy and Sri Parvatha Vardhini Thayar.  During the 15^th century the western stone tower of 78ft and the compound wall was built by Udayan Sethupathi and Vaishya of Nagoor.  During 16^th century Tirumalai Sethupathi built a portion of southern second corridor. As a mark of gratitude, the statues of Tirumalai Sethupathi and his son Sri Raghunatha Sethupathi installed can be found at the entrance of south.   During 17^th century Dalavai Sethupathi built a portion of main eastern Gopuram.  Palliyarai and Mandapam in the Sri Parvatha Vardhini Thayar sannidhi was the contribution of Sri Ravi Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathi.  During 18^th century, Sri Muthuramalinga Sethupathi was built the world famous third Praharam (corridor) which was widely spoken for its grandeur.   As a mark of respect to the honorable personality the statues of Muthuramalinga Sethupathi and his two Ministers’ were installed on the western entrance.   This is one of the oldest temple sitatued on the massive land of 15 Acres.

 

Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva on the shores of Rameshwaram after beheading the demon King Ravana and rescued Goddess Sita Devi. Lord Rama arrived at the seashores of Rameshwaram to worship Lord Shiva to get rid of the sin of Brahmahathya.  Ravana was born as Brahmin and was killed by Lord Rama at the end of the war.  In order to wash off the sin of Brahmahathya Lord Rama arrived in Rameshwaram with Lakshman, Sita Devi followed by his monkey warriors in this island. 

 

 

Presiding deity – Sri Ramanatha Swamy with his consort Goddess Parvatha Vardhini Thayar

 

Sannidhis – A separate Sannidhi for Sri Parvatha Vardhini Thayar also enshrines Shayana Gruha for the divine couple, Thirukalyana Mandapam where Goddess Parvathy’s marriage to Lord Shiva took place, Lord Brahma with Goddess Saraswathy and Lord Vishnu with Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi also can be seen.  Lord Vishnu performing ‘Kanyaka Dhanam’ offering His sister – Goddess Parvathy’s hand to Lord Shiva in front of the sacrifial fire.  ‘Ashta Lakshmi’ – The eight forms of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi also can be seen.

 

A separate Shrine for Sri Anjaneya situated at the East entrance – A self-manifested idol of Lord Anjaneya 8’ft above from the ground level and the remaining 8’ft under the water. It also enshrines Koti Linga, the legend has the Lord Rama instructed Anjaneya to bring Linga for worship before the prescribed time for the rituals.  Anjaneya flew to Kailash and brough two Lingas; Kailash Linga and Koti Linga and hurried to the shores of Rameshwaram.  Unfortunately Anjaneya arrived at the shore little late and found a linga was already sanctified by Lord Rama which was playfully constructed by Goddess Sita Devi.  Anjaneya was flabbergasted and with a great vigor tried to pull out the Linga already consecrated by Lord Rama.  But, Anjaneya failed to tow the Linga from the ground.  This is the Linga worshipped as Sri Ramanatha Swamy in this temple.   Later, Lord Rama amicably settled the issue swith Anjaneya. 

 

Lord Bhairava, Lord Ganesha, Lord Muruga, Spatika lingam, Soma Skandhar, Kasi Lingam, Kasi Vishalakshi & Vishwanatha Swamy, Perumal, Santana Ganapathi, Sri Sethumadhava, Saptha Devathas,  Lord  Nataraja, Kailasha Linga, Goddess Parvatha Vardhini Thayar, Thirukalyana Mandapam, Palliyarai, Ashtalakshmi, Rudraksha Mandapa, Yoga Guru Patajali’ Samadhi, Guru Patajali’s disciple – Sage Vyagrapadha, Lord Vishnu on Adishesha, Nagadevatha, Golden chariot, Celestial vehicles of Lord for village procession & Lord Nandikeshwara.

 

Rudraksha Mandapam of Master of Yoga – Patanjali Rishi, his disciple Vyagrapada’s idol, Naga Devathas, Lord Vishnu on Adishesha, Akanda Jyoti etc.. can be seen on the third praharam.  It is true to the fact that whoever spends a few minutes inside this shrine would attain abundance of optimistic vibes.  This Samadhi mandapa of Yoga guru – Patanjali was made of 2, 00,000 Rudrakshas, on the upper part of the Samadhi is embellished with the idol of Lord Nataraja with his consort Goddess Sri Sivakami.

 

Theertham – There are 22 theerams inside the temple where devotees takes holy dip before entering into the Sanctum Sanctorum of Sri Ramanatha Swamy.  Each and every theerthas are equally capable to remove the sins of the devotees and provide salvation.  There are 64 sacred water bodies are found in the island of Rameshwaram.  According to Skandha Puranam, there are twenty four theerthas that are the most important one must have a holy dip atleast once in their life time.  Taking holy dip in this sacred theerthas are treated as highest spiritual deed which is capable to provide abundance of devoutness and treated as equivalent to penance. 

·   Sri Mahalakshmi Theertham - Sri Dharmarajan took sacred bath in this pushkarani and attained abundance of wealth.  It is believed that whoever takes holy dip in this theertha would attain all the richness in their life.

·   Sri Savithri Theertham – Kashyapa got rid of his curse after holy dip in this theertham.  Whoever takes holy dip in this theertham would get rid of all the curses.

·   Sri Gayatri Theertham –

·   Sri Saraswathy Theertham –

·    Sri Sethu Madhava Theertham – Whoever takes holy dip in this water would attains the blessings of Sri Mahalakshmi and their heart would be purified from all the dirts.

·    Sri Gandhamadhana Theertham – Whoever takes holy dip in this water would attain all the prosperities and get rid of their sins.

·    Kavatcha Theertham – Kavacham means protection, as its name indicates whoever takes holy dip in the water would be protected from the hellish torture of Lord Yama and attains Heaven.

·   Gavya Theertham – Whoever takes holy dip in this water would be blessed to be under the shelter of Kalpaka Vruksham.

·    Nala Theertham – Whoever takes holy dip in this water would attain the appearance and brilliance of Lord Surya and reaches in the heaven after leaving this world.

·    Neela Theertham – Whoever takes holy dip in this water would attain the pieties of performance of Yagnas and Yagas.

·         Shanku Theertham – Sage Vatsanabha got rid of his curse

·         Chakkara Theertham –

·         Brahmahathi Vimochana Theertham – Whoever takes holy dip in this theertham would be eradicated from their sins of Bramahathya.  The sins involved in killing a Brahmin, consumption of intoxicated drinks, sins from being untruthful and standing false witness etc…many more.

·    Sooriya Theertham – Whoever takes dip in this holy theertham would attain the ultimate wisdom.

·    Chandra Theertham - Whoever takes dip in this holy theertham would attain the ultimate wisdom.

·    Ganga Theertham - Whoever takes dip in this holy theertham would attain the ultimate wisdom and purified.

·         Yamuna Theertham - Whoever takes dip in this holy theertham would attain the ultimate wisdom.

·         Gaya Theertham - Whoever takes dip in this holy theertham would attain the ultimate wisdom.

·    Shiva Theertham – Whoever takes holy dip in this water would be freed from Brahmahathi sins.

·    Sandhyamrutha Theertham – Whoever takes holy dip in this water would get rid of all the curses.

·    Sarva Theertham – Whoever takes holy dip in this water would get rid of their all illness.

·    Koti Theertham – Sri Krishna took holy dip in this water and got rid of the sin of Brahmahathya of killing his uncle Kamsa.

 

The theerthas situated out of the temple premises and are extended up to Ramnad/Navapasham are listed below.

 

·   Vethala Varadha Theertham – It is situated on the south of Chakkara Theertham, Thirupullani and bathing on this holy theertha is capable to get rid of curses.

·    Chakkara Theertham – It is located on the Lord Dharbhasayana Ramar Temple, Thirupullani.

·         Villundi Theertham – It is situated near Thankatchi Madam.

·         Papa Vinasa Theertham – eradicates all the sins and attain moksha

·         Bhairava Theertham – eradicates Brahmahathya sins

·         Kapi Theertham – eradicates all the curses

·    Sita Kundam – It is located near Thakatchi Madam,  Lord Indra got rid of Brahmahathya sin

·    Sarva Mangala Theertham – Whoever take holy dip in this theertham would attain all the prosperities.

·    Amruthavalli Theertham/Amrutha Vapi – It is situated in Ekantha Ramar Temple; whoever takes holy dip in this theertham would attain Salvation.

·    Rana Vimochana Theertham – It is situated in Ekantha Ramar Temple, Whoever takes holy dip in this theertham would get relieved from all the pains and debts.

·    Lakshmana Theertham – Lord Balarama got rid of Brahmahathi Dosha after taking holy dip in this theertham.  It is situated on Rameshwaram – Pamban Road.

·    Rama Theertham – It is situated on the Rameshwaram – Pamban Road, Dharmarajan got rid of the sin after taking holy dip in this theertham.

·   Sugriva Theertham – It is situated on the way to Gandhamadhana Parvatham, Whoever takes holy dip in this theertham would attain ultimate wisdom and attain Surya Loka.

·    Angatha Theertham – It is situated on the way to Gandhamadhana Parvatham; whoever takes holy dip in this water would attain the glories of Lord Indra.

·    Jambhava Theertham – It is situated on the way to Gandhamadhana Parvatham; whoever takes holy dip in the water would attain Longevity of life.

·    Gandhamadhana Theertham – Whoever takes holy dip in this water would attain the Lotus feet of Sriman Narayana

·    Vali Theertham, Gaja Theertham, Kumuda Theertham, Sarada Theertham and Parasurama Theertham

·    (16 – 20 Theerthas are known as Pancha Pandava Theerthas).  These theerthas are capable to fulfil all the desires of a devotee.  Dharma Theertham

·         Bhima Theertham

·         Arjuna Theertham

·         Nakula Theertham

·         Sahadev Theertham

·     Draupadi Theertham  - It is situated near the Sri Bhadrakali Temple.  Whoever takes dip in this holy water would attain longevity and peaceful marriage life.

·    Brahma Theertham - It is situated near the Sri Bhadrakali Temple.  Whoever takes holy dip in this water would get rid of their curses.

·     Hanuman Kund Theertham - It is situated near the Sri Bhadrakali Temple.  Whoever takes holy dip in this water would be blessed with offsprings.

·    Naga Theertham – Whoever takes holy dip in this water would attain Salvation.

·         Agasthya Theertham

·         Jadayu Theertham – It is situated on the way to Dhanushkoti.  Sage Brighu, Dattathreya, Sage Durvas, Sage Suka attained purity of heart after taking holy dip in this theertham.

·         Dhanushkoti Theertham – Dhanushkoti is the confluence of Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.  Whoever takes holy dip in this water would be freed from all the sins including Brahma Hathya.

·         Deva Theertham – It is situated on the Sri Ramar Sannidhi; the other theerthas are Kajan Theertham and Saravana Theertham.  Lord Indra performed Yagna to win over the demons

·         There are three theerthas situated on the Sri Ramar Sannidhi and they are Kumutha Theertham, Haran Theertham and Panagan Theertham.  These Theerthas are capable to eradicate all the sins of the devotees.

·         Vibhishana Theertham is situated on the Ramar Sannidhi is capable to eradicates all the mental agonies, poverty, illness etc..

 

Festivals:

·    Mahashivaratri and procession of deity in Rushabha Vahanam, Mahashivaratri Abishekam and procession of deities in Silver Chariot.

 

·         Vasanthostavam in the month of Vaikasi.

·         Sri Ramalinga Prathishta on Jyeshta Shukla Shuddha Shashti. 

·        Thirukkalyanam of Sri Parvatha Vardhini Thayar with the procession on Rushabha Vahanam and Silver Chariot in the month of Ashada Bahula Krishnashtami.  Also includes Devi’s penance, Shayana Sevai on the Golden Pallakku and Thirukkalyanam.

·         Navaratri

·         Kandha Shashti

·         Arudra Darisanam

 

Rameshwaram is a town in the district of Ramanatha Puram, Tamil Nadu.  Rameshwaram is well connected by road and air.  Rameshwaram Express from Chennai to Rameshwaram runs daily to serve the needs of the passengers. 

 

Rama Sethu – Ramar palam mentioned in the great epic Srimad Ramayanam by Maharishi Valmiki as ‘Sethu Bandhanam’ is another significant attraction of Rameshwaram.  This bridge is 18 miles (30km) long and separate Gulf of Munnar from Palk straight was built by the Vanara Sena (Monkey army) of Lord Rama.  Lord Rama with his army of monkeys consists of the chief Anjaneya, Nalan; Neelan, Angadhan, Jambavan etc.. Constructed a stone bridge across the ocean to reach Lanka and rescue Goddess Sita from the clutches of demon King Ravana.

 

This temple remains open from 5.00 AM to 1.00 PM in the mornings and 3.00 PM to 9.00 PM in the evenings.

 

 Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!