Rameswaram Temple - The place that removes karma

Rameswaram Temple is situated in the state of Tamil Nadu in the southern tip of India. This is one of the four holy places that one has to visit at least once. A pilgrimage to Kasi is not considered completed if it is not followed by a visit to Rameshwaram. It is located in a small island called Pamban and the island is connected to the mainland of India by both Railway line and road.

History of the Temple:

The temple is believed to be built in the 12^th century. Rameshwaram has the unique distinction of having the longest corridor than any other temple in the world. It is built in the Dravidian style and architecture is considered as a fine example of the glory of the Dravidian culture. The wonderfully carved pillars adorn the entire corridor and their architectural excellence is worthy of a watch.

Mythology:

Lord Rama before going to Sri Lanka and after coming from there victoriously worshipped Lord Shiva and made this place a holy one. It is also believed that from this place, Lord Rama with the help of Vanara Sena built a bridge to go to Sri Lanka for fighting the Asura King, Ravana. After he was successfully defeated Lord Rama returned to Rameshwaram and again offered his prayers to Lord Shiva. During the return journey circustances so occur that Sita was forced to jump into Agni or fire and as the fire God was unable to fire the goddess, Sita with that same fury took a bath in the sea and that suppressed all the waves in the sea and even now one can see a calm sea over here.

Main Deities:

Lord Lord Shiva is the presiding deity in this temple with a separate shrine for the Goddess Parvati and here the Goddess is known as Parvadhamman. There are shrines for Lord Vinayaka, Muruga and other gods in the temple.

Worship:

Worshipping the god here starts with a dip in the adjoining sea. This is one of the 64 punniya theerthas present in the temple. Out of the 64, 22 thirthas are available in side the temple premises. Taking bath in the holy sea and the holy waters from the 22 wells inside the temple is considered as a major and important duty of a Hindu that absolves him of all his present and past sins and dhoshas.

Apart from the main deity which is made of sand by Lord himself there is also another lingam which is a bigger one that is brought by Hanumanji from Mount Kailash. Then the devotees worship the mother Parvati.

Festivals:

Two main festivals are celebrated in the Rameshwaram temple. One in the month of Aadi that is either July or August and the other during Masi February and March. There are separate Urchava Murthies decorated and kept ready in Vasantha mnadapam in the inner corridors. The Urchava Murthies are decorated and taken out for a procession during the festival time. Traditional arts are performed during the Urchavams or the festivals.

Kodi Punniya Theertham is offered by the temple authorities that are bottled and sold inside the temple. This is a holy water is taken by devotees for spraying it all around and insides of their houses to bring prosperity.