Rameswaram Trip - Har Har Mahadev!
Distance from Bangalore: 611 km
Time taken by road: 11 hrs
Road: NH 44 and NH 87 - Road condition - Excellent
Rameswaram is a town on Pamban Island, in the southeast Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It’s known for Shri Ramanathaswamy Temple, a Hindu pilgrimage site with ornate corridors, huge sculpted pillars and sacred water tanks. Devotees bathe in the waters of Agni Theertham, off the beach east of the temple. Lord Ram and Maa Sita had consecrated the Jyotirling at Rameswaram after killing Ravan while returning back from Lanka.
22 Kund Snanam or Theerth Snanam:
22 Kund Snanam starts with Samudra Snanam at Agni Theertham. It is believed that the first kund/theertham lies submerged under the sea and hence the snanam ritual starts from taking a dip at Agni Theertham. Agni Theertham is just walking distance away from the main temple. After the Samudra Snanam it was time for the 22 Kund Snanam. And all these kunds/theertham were inside the premises of the main temple.
There is a 50 Rupees ticket for 22 Kund Snanam and needless to say there is a queue for the same.
The first Kund is Mahalakshmi Theertham. I see a freshwater well, a man standing on the top with a small bucket tied to a rope. With my hands folded, head down and eyes closed I stood close enough to the kund so that water could be easily poured over me. For some reason, I found the water warm. This phenomenon is to be repeated 21 more times to complete the 22 Kund Snanam.
All the kunds are not located in one place, they are sprawled across the temple. There are proper sign boards to direct the visitors to the next kund. All you have to do is follow the directions and wait patiently in the queue for your turn. Mahalakshmi Theertham is followed by Gayatri, Savitri, Saraswathi, Gavya, Gavyaksha, Nala, Neela, Sethumadhava, Gandhamadhava, Brahmahatya Vimochana, Shanku, Surya, Chandra, Chakra, Shiva, Sarva, Satyamrita, Gaya, Ganga, Yamuna and finally Kodi.
It is a believe that sprinkles from Kodi theertham are equivalent to taking a dip in the holy Ganges.
As I moved from one kund to another I had a peculiar observation that the temperature and salinity of the water kept changing. The arrangement is such that by the time you come to 22nd Kund you are absolved of all the sins. By the time I reached 22nd kund I was completely drenched. I was told specifically not to take bath in the tap water. And let the body soak the holy water and all its healing properties.
Why the Lingam was established?
Shri Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The belief is that the deity (lingam) was established so that Lord Rama (seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu) could worship the lingam and attain atonement for killing demon King Ravana. Though Ravana abducted goddess Sita, he was also a Brahmin, and by killing him Lord Rama committed a sin. The only way Lord Rama could free himself of the sin burden was by worshipping Lord Shiva.
Inside Shri Ramnathaswamy temple:
Once you enter inside the temple, you'll be awed by the mesmerising architecture of the temple. My steady walk in the temple came to halt every single second to admire the beauty of the temple. Hands folded, taking baby steps I moved ahead in the queue. Spatik Lingam Darshan is possible from 5.30 am to 6.30 am. This Lingam is consecrated by Shri Sankaracharaya and you get only 1 hour window to have a Darshan. So, plan your schedule accordingly. Once the Spark Lingam Darshan is done, I sat down on the floor and did meditation. It's always advisable to do meditation inside the temple after each Darshan. After 6.30 am, the Jyotirlinga Darshan starts and in no time I found myself standing in front of the beautiful Shiv Lingam. The black stone Shiv Lingam, placed in the well-lit sanctum was shining in all its glory. Be still and calm within yourself while doing the Darshan. Loved the energy and engrossed myself with meditation whenever I had some extra time.
Maa Parvathi Darshan:
Your Lord Shiva Darshan is incomplete without paying tribute to Maa Parvathi. Visit the Maa Parvathi temple and have a Vabhya Darshan and don't forget to pray the 9 deities of Maa Lakshmi on the way to Parvathi temple.
In the temple you will observe the Saint Patanjali in the meditative state. Also, visit the Nataraj form of Lord Shiva and pay attention to Lord Vishnu in the sleeping state.
Tips for Visitors:
- Carry the extra pair of clothes in a waterproof bag.
- Camera and phones aren’t permissible inside the temple. There are lockers outside temple but I suggest to leave all of them at the hotel.
- Carry your wallet and have some cash inside the temple
- Along with the main Lingam there are many more temples on the premises. Make sure you visit all of them before heading out.
- Temple timings are 4.30 AM – 1 PM and 3 PM – 8.30 PM, plan your visit accordingly.
- Either plan early in the morning or late in the second half of the day. Avoid the peak hours.
Dhanushkodi:
Dhanushkodi name is derived from the Lord Ram's bow (Dhanush). It's 20 km from Ramanathaswamy Temple. This town was devastated in 1964 by cyclonic storm and it's declared as Ghost town by TN Govt. No visitors can stay here post 6.00 pm. Enjoy the drive to the last point of India and the serene beauty of Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean on both sides of the road!
Vivishan Temple:
When Vivishan didn't take the side of Ravan and surrendered to Lord Ram then his Rajya Avishek was completed by Lord Ram and this temple is dedicated for this.
Have a good glimpse of the Ram Setu through the binoculars from this temple and you can see the 4 gates of Shri Ramnathaswamy temple from this spot through the binoculars.
APJ Abdul Kala Memorial:
Dr Kalam's home is made to a memorial. When you're at Rameswaram then make sure that you spend some time inside this memorial to pay tribute to our former President!
Comments
beautifully..