Rameshwaram is a small island town located in the southernmost part of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu. The town is situated on the Pamban Island, which is connected to the mainland by the Pamban Bridge. It is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus, as it is home to the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple.
The Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, which are considered to be the holiest places of worship for Hindus. The temple’s architecture is a blend of Dravidian and Islamic styles and is known for its intricate carvings and beautiful corridors.
Apart from the temple, Rameshwaram is also known for its stunning beaches, such as the Dhanushkodi Beach and the Agnitheertham Beach. The town is surrounded by the Indian Ocean on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other, making it a popular destination for water sports and activities like swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling.
One of the major attractions of Rameshwaram is the Pamban Bridge, which is a 2.3 km-long bridge that connects the town to the mainland. The bridge was constructed in the early 20th century and is considered to be an engineering marvel.
Another popular attraction in Rameshwaram is the Gandhamadhana Parvatham, which is a hillock that is believed to be the place where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva before he went to Lanka to rescue his wife Sita. The hillock offers a panoramic view of the town and is a great place to watch the sunset.
In addition to its religious and natural attractions, Rameshwaram is also known for its rich cultural heritage. The town has a vibrant local market where visitors can find a wide range of handicrafts, spices, and traditional textiles.
One of the untold stories or myths about Rameshwaram is associated with the creation of the Ramanathaswamy Temple. According to legend, Lord Rama, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, wanted to worship Lord Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of killing Ravana, who was a Brahmin and therefore considered to be a high caste.
Lord Rama was advised by the sage Narada to install a lingam (a symbol of Lord Shiva) in Rameshwaram and perform puja (worship) to Lord Shiva. Lord Rama then asked Hanuman, his trusted companion, to bring a lingam from the Himalayas. Hanuman set out on the task, but he was delayed due to various obstacles and could not return before the auspicious time for the installation of the lingam.
In the meantime, Sita, Lord Rama’s wife, created a lingam from sand and asked Lord Rama to install it instead. Lord Rama was hesitant, as he wanted to install the original lingam brought by Hanuman. However, Sage Vasishta convinced him that the sand lingam would be just as powerful and that he should proceed with the installation.
As the installation ceremony began, Hanuman arrived with the original lingam. Seeing the sand lingam already installed, Hanuman was enraged and attempted to destroy it. However, Lord Rama intervened and asked Hanuman to calm down. He then installed the original lingam brought by Hanuman next to the sand lingam.
Today, the Ramanathaswamy Temple is known for its two lingams, one made of sand and the other of black stone, which are believed to have been installed by Lord Rama himself. The sand lingam is worshipped first, followed by the black stone lingam, which is considered to be the main lingam. This story is not widely known, but it adds to the rich mythology and history of Rameshwaram.
