 |
| Sri Ramanatha Swamy temple TN factins.com |
 |
| Longest stone corridor,Sri Ramanatha Swamy temple TN.templedairy.in |
Location and Significance: Located in the center of Rameswaram town, the Ramanathaswamy Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines where Shiva is worshipped in the form of a "pillar of light." This temple is also one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalam, glorified in devotional hymns by the revered Tamil Saivite saints Appar, Sundarar, and Tirugnana Sambandar during the 7th century.
 |
| Rameswaram temple and the shore, TN savaari.com |
Mythological Connection: The temple has a close association with the Ramayana. According to legend, Lord Rama worshipped Shiva here after his victorious return from Lanka, seeking to absolve himself of the sins committed during his battles, including the killing of the devout Shiva devotee, King Ravana. Rama is said to have consecrated the lingam here, making it a must-visit site for Hindu devotees.
 |
| Location map, Rameswaram, TN. S.India bp.blogspot.com |
Architectural Grandeur: The temple, in its present form, was primarily constructed during the 12th century by the Pandya Dynasty. It is renowned for having the longest covered corridors (prakara or pradhakshina paths) among Hindu temples. These corridors encircle the sanctum, increasing in length outwardly. The width of the columned corridors varies from 17 to 21 feet, with a height of 25 feet. Each pillar is sculpted in the Nayak style, similar to those in the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Among the three corridors, the outer corridor is the most significant. The middle corridor houses 108 Shiva lingas and a shrine dedicated to Ganesha. The innermost corridor is equally impressive, with ornate stone pillars supporting the heavy stone slabs of the ceiling. These corridors connect various parts of the temple and include several smaller shrines dedicated to various deities and demigods.
Historical Contributions The temple has seen contributions from various rulers:
- Sethupathy Dynasty (17th century): They made valuable contributions to the temple's construction. Notably, Pradani Muthirulappa Pillai restored damaged gopuras and the Chockattan Mantapam.
- Sri Lankan King Parakrama Bahu (1153–1186 CE): He built the inner corridors and the sanctuary of the main temple.
- Dalavai Sethupathy (1649 CE): He constructed the east tower and the Nataraja shrine.
- Chinna Udayar Sethupathy and Raghunatha Thirumalai (1500–1540 CE): They completed the work on the second corridor.
- Muthu Ramalinga Sethupathy (1725–1771 CE): He built the third enclosure, considered the most attractive and significant among the three prakaras. His statue stands near the entrance of the corridor.
Architectural Highlights: The temple features a total of 22 gopurams designed in the Dravidian architectural style, with four tall gopuras at the entrance gateways, each displaying finely sculpted figures of deities from mythological themes. The most impressive is the Rajagopuram, standing at 170 feet, serving as a prominent landmark.
Holy Water Bodies (Tirthas): The temple complex includes 64 Tirthas (holy water bodies), with 24 cited by the Skanda Purana. Of these, 14 are located within the temple premises. Pilgrims often bathe in these tanks or draw water from the wells for ritual purification. Significant Tirthas include:
- Agni Tirtham: The sea (Bay of Bengal), where Jatayu is believed to have fallen after attempting to save Sita from Ravana.
- Villoondi Tirtham: Located around 7 km from the main temple, where Rama is said to have quenched Sita's thirst by dipping his bow into the sea.
- Hanuman Tirtham, Sugriva Tirtham, and Lakshmana Tirtham: Other notable holy water bodies within the temple complex.
Additional Shrines and Sites:
- Vishnu Shrine: Dedicated to Sethu Madhava and Goddess Lakshmi Devi.
- Vishalakshi Shrine: Dedicated to Goddess Vishalakshi (Parvati), adjacent to the Ramanathaswamy shrine.
Gandhamathana Parvatham About 3 km north of the temple is a hillock known as Gandhamathana Parvatham, the highest point on the island. A two-story hall here houses Rama's holy feet in the form of an imprint on a chakra (wheel). The Ramarpatham Temple is located on this hillock, and devotees frequently visit to worship the Ramar patham (Rama's feet).
Dhanushkodi Located at the southwestern tip of the island, 18 km from the town, Dhanushkodi is accessible by road and houses the Kothanda Ramaswamy Temple, dedicated to Rama. Remarkably, this temple was not destroyed by the devastating cyclone of 1964 that wreaked havoc on the region. According to legend, Dhanushkodi is where Vibhishana, Ravana's brother, surrendered to Rama.
The Ramanathaswamy Temple, with its rich mythological significance, architectural splendor, and historical contributions, stands as a testament to the devotion and artistic achievements of various dynasties and remains a vital pilgrimage site for Hindus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramanathaswamy_Temple
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rameswaram#CITEREFSunday_Observer13_May_2012
https://www.tamilnadutourism.com/rameswaram/temples/sri-ramanathaswamy-temple-rameswaram
