लंका विजय के बाद श्री राम ने शिव पूजा के लिए हनुमान जी को कैलाश से शिवलिंग लाने भेजा। देर होने पर माता सीता ने रेत से शिवलिंग बनाया। हनुमान जी के लाए लिंग की पूजा आज भी पहले होती है।
On an island at the southern tip of Tamil Nadu, where the sea separates India from Sri Lanka, stands the Ramanathaswamy temple of Rameshwaram — one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and one of the four Char Dham of India.
Shri Ram's puja
According to the tradition of this temple, after the war in Lanka, Shri Ram wished to worship Shiva to cleanse the sin of killing Ravana, who was a Brahmin. He sent Hanuman ji to Kailash to bring a lingam. When Hanuman was delayed, Mata Sita made a lingam from the sand of the shore, and Ram worshipped it at the auspicious time. This is the Ramalingam.
When Hanuman returned with his lingam from Kailash, he was hurt that it was not used. To honour him, Ram declared that Hanuman's lingam — the Vishwalingam — would be worshipped first, before the Ramalingam. That tradition continues today.
The 22 theerthams
Inside the temple are 22 holy wells (theerthams). Yatris go from one to the next while a priest pours water from each over them — each well with a slightly different taste. Only after this bath do they go for darshan.
The great corridor
The temple's outer corridor, lined with more than a thousand carved pillars, is often described as the longest temple corridor in the world — about 1,200 metres around.
Ram Setu and Dhanushkodi
From Dhanushkodi, a chain of shoals runs towards Sri Lanka — Ram Setu, the bridge the vanar sena built in the Ramayana. Dhanushkodi was a busy town until the 1964 cyclone destroyed it; its ruins and the place where two seas meet are moving to visit.
Ram Setu was built by the vanar sena with floating stones, some of which can still be seen at Rameshwaram.
Satellite images show a chain of limestone shoals between Dhanushkodi and Mannar Island. Floating pumice-like stones are displayed in some temples. Scientists still debate how the shoals formed.
- Location
- Rameshwaram island, Tamil Nadu (Pamban bridge)
- Ritual
- Agni Theertham sea bath, then the 22 temple theerthams
- Nearby
- Dhanushkodi (20 km), Dr APJ Abdul Kalam memorial
- Part of
- Our 12 Jyotirlinga yatra
Questions
Why is Hanuman's lingam worshipped first at Rameshwaram?
Because Shri Ram declared that the Vishwalingam brought by Hanuman from Kailash would be worshipped before the Ramalingam.
How many theerthams are in Rameshwaram temple?
22 holy wells inside the temple.
What happened to Dhanushkodi?
It was destroyed by a severe cyclone in December 1964.
