Address: | Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526 |
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How to go: | From any major city like Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore ac non-ac bus service is available. Except that if you are visiting by train, you have to reach Madurai junction. From there you will get passenger train which will take you to Pamban railway station within 4 hours. From Pamban you can hire auto paying 500 rs (2024 rate), car 900 rs (2024 rate), bus rs 200 each. All will cross Pamban bridge and drop you in Rameswaram within 1 hour. Rameswaram bus stand to temple area is 4 km by road, so it is recommended to take auto or car to get down nearby temple as per your desired location. Also I would suggest to take hotels near by temple area only. One more advantage is if you take car or auto they will stop on the Pamban Bridge so that you can have a view on the way. Unfortunately if you are coming by train, when you will pass Pamban Bridge it will already be darker. So you can again cover it while doing sightseeing. |
Pros: | Everything is available and up and running. |
Cons: | In 2024 most of the cases you can’t use online payment, you have to depend on liquid cash. That is my personal opinion. You have to pay 200 or 100 to do darshana of few important idols including Viswanatha linga which was brought by Hanuman ji from Kailash. |
What to visit ? |
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Company: | Family, friends, solo |
Minimum day/time to visit: | 2 days full (Including all nearby spot) |
Locality: | City |
Expenses: | Nothing fixed. But I can say for a solo traveler also it can be a budget tour if you are taking local transport or hire bike there. Choose hotels as per your budget, have meal as per your choice. Enjoy. Happy traveling :) |
More Information: | Do you know? Most of the people know it as Rameshwaram temple or Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga. But Rameshwaram is an island which is situated in Ramanathapuram District in Tamilnadu. It is a part of East coast in India and connected through Pamban bridge. Earlier most of the temple in Tamil Nadu were prefixed with the Sanskrit word “Shri”. Later the DMK government replaced the Sanskrit prefix Shri with the Tamil word Arulmigu before the names of gods and goddesses. The word Arul means - Mercy and the word Migu means - Great. So Arulmigu is an entity who desires to do good to others. Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Rameshwaram is also one of Char dhams in India where Badrinath resides in North, Puri Jagannath in East, Dwarka in West, and Rameshwaram in South. Not only that, Rameswaram is the only Shiva temple among these four holy shrines. The Shiva Linga made by Sita is called Ramalingam and it is worshiped by the name of ARULMIGU RAMANATHASWAMY SANNATHI. That is how the temple named as Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy temple. And the Shiva Linga brought by Hanuman it is called Visvalingam and is worshiped by the name of ARULMIGU VISWANATHA SANNATHI. History This is indicating how Ramanathaswamy Linga has been formed. It has a very interesting story about the formation of the temple. 7th avatar of Lord Vishnu was Rama who killed Ravana in Sri Lanka to save his wife Sita. Ravana was a brahmin. As per Garud purana, Sage Agasthya advised Rama to pray Lord Shiva to absolve his sin which he has done by Brahmahatya. So, while coming back from Sri Lanka, Rama along with Sita and brother Laxman decided to install and worship of Lord Shiva. So, Rama directed Hanuman to bring a Shiva Linga from Mount Kailash. As Hanuman returned late, Sita decided to use sand to form a Shiva Linga and worship there itself. By the time Hanuman returned, the worship was almost over. Eventually he got very angry and not knowing the fact that it is made by Sita, he tried to extract the Shiva Linga which was made of sand. To pacify him, Rama consecrated the Shiva Linga brought by Hanuman by the side of Ramalingam and ordered all rituals should be performed first to Viswanatha linga. The same rules followed till date in Rameshwaram temple. Agni Theertham After rescuing Sita from Lanka, Ram expressed doubt about her chastity. Hence she had to perform Agnipariksha. Sita asked Laxman to lit fire and went through it to prove her purity. In Spite of sitting within the fire, she wasn’t burned. By that time Lord Agni appeared to prove the purity of Goddess Sita. Later lord Agni took bath to the sea to atone his sin as she touched Sita while she performed Agnipariksha and offer prayers to Lord Shiva. That is why this is called Agni Theertham. There is a believe that to take bath in Agni theertham devotees can atone their sins. Also childless couple prays to conceive child to take bath in this teertham. The custom followed by most of the devotees, first they take bath to Agni theertham and walk towards Northgate wearing wet clothes and barefoot. From Agni theertham to North gate is 500 steps away. After entering from North gate, they take 25 rs ticket for each and follow the queue towards 22 holywell to take bath from each and proceed with Jyotirlinga darshan after changing cloths to South gate. Now people may ask, from where the South gate came to the picture, right? So Let me tell you, From Northgate you will be directed to South gate only to change cloths and proceed for Darshan. Remember you will get access of 22 Holy wells from North gate only. To enter from the North gate and take holy well bath is not mandatory for Darshan. You can enter from the East gopuram which is considered as main gopuram as well. Why because East Gopuram is the tallest gopuram as I already mentioned. Also Ramanathaswamy Linga, Vishwanath Linga and Parvatha Vardhini amma is also facing East. Hope you know Shiva Linga always face East in every temple. Remember if you enter from North, South or West gate also, you have to pass through the East gopuram only to enter to the main sanctum and sanctorum. In easy word if you enter from the East gate, you have to walk absolutely straight to enter to the Garbhagriha, for other gate entry, barricades and security will lead you to the East gopuram and let you enter to the Garbhagriha. It is very interesting to be a witness of Agni theertham multiple times a day. As it was very nearby to our hotel, I went multiple times to sit on the ghat in Agni theertham and noticed it’s different water colour and tide. You can spend a lot of time sitting beside the Agni theertham and enjoy the view of confluence of Indian ocean and Bay of Bengal. Also I have noticed in afternoon when people stop taking bath, local people are trying to collect coins from the teertham. It was very interesting to see that. Before Agni theertham don’t forget to visit Ujjaini Mahakali temple which is on the way. Gopuram Lets talk about gopuram in this temple. There are 4 gopuram on East, West, South, North. East one is the tallest one which is 126 ft high. Number of tiers are 9, number of Kalasha on top is 9 and there are no statue present on it. It is created by Sethupathi king Devakotti between 1897 to 1904. Western tower is 78 ft high, it has 5 tiers and 5 Kalasha and no statue on its body. It was created by Udaiyan Sethupathi in 15 century AD. North gopuram is 91 ft high. It has statues built in its body, it has also 5 tiers and 5 kalasha and it was created by Raja Vadantha Kumar in 2016. South gopuram is also 91 ft high with 5 tiers and 5 kalasha. It has statues in its body and it was built by Sei geri Swamy on 2016. 22 Holy theertham It is believed that there were 22 arrows in the quiver of Lord Ram and by those arrows he created 22 wells or theertham to take back and atone his sins. People nowadays believe the same and go through each well and get holy water spread out all over their body. Name of 22 holy Teerthams are Savithri Teertham, Gayathri Teertham, Saraswati Teertham, Sethu Madhava Teertham, Gandhamadana Teertham, Kavatcha Teertham, Gavaya Teertham, Nala Teertham, Neela Teertham, Sangu Teertham, Chakra Teertham, Brahmahathi Vimochana Teertham, Surya Teertham, Chandra Teertham, Ganga Teertham, Yamuna Teertham, Gaya Teertham, Siva Teertham, Satyamirtha Teertham, Sarva Teertham, Kodi Teertham Special darshan On the first day early morning around 4:30 we got ready for darshan. I did not have much information about timing and process. As East gate was the nearest from our hotel, we went inside the temple forming a queue. Then I came to know from 4:30 to 6 am, only Mani darshan can be performed. From 6:20 Jyotirlinga darshan starts. Now what is this Mani darshan? It is believed that Mani is Sesh naag where Lord Vishnu takes rest. They worship and abhishek a small sphatik lingam placing it before Ramanathaswamy jyotirlinga in the main garbhagriha. That time Ramanathaswamy jyotirlinga is covered with a certain. You have to pay 50 rs each and get the token inside the temple to be the witness of this ritual. In early morning there is no vip darshan, only 50 wala special darshan you need to do. You may see in few places it is written Ganga Abhishekam 50rs. One Interesting fact I will tell you here. Ganga is the most secret river in India we know that. Now In TamilNadu people can’t get holy Ganda water for auspicious rituals. Now the last and 22th theertham is Kodi theertham is considered to be the most secret one among other teertham. It is believed that Sri krishna set this theertham to atone his sin after killing his uncle Kansa. That’s why people pour water from it to carry in home and do abhisheka of Ramanathaswamy Linga which is called Ganga Abhishekam. East gopuram entry This section of my video is very important. So please listen carefully. East gopuram has two entry. Left side is for general and special darshan. And right side is for VIP darshan. General darshan timing starts from 6:20 am to 1:00 pm and 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm. As per the rush they frequently change the queue structure. For less rush you can walk straight, pass 3rd corridor, East gopuram, Nandi Maharaj, Maha Ganapati one after another and finally you enter to garbhagriha. For more rush they make you pass through several barricades which you can see in special darshan section in this video. Now coming to VIP darshan. It means you have to get 100 and 200 Rs ticket for each person from inside the temple. Very sad but it is true, in VIP darshan you will get to see few extra main shrines of the temple which you cannot see being in general queue. After entering you will see Anjaneya aka Hanuman shrine on right, inside main Garbhagriha you will be able to darshan of Nataraja shrine, Visa Laxmi Amma who is considered as consort of Viswanathan shrine in this temple and Viswanathan Linga. Within 5 times of darshan in 3 days, one time I intentionally took 100 rs ticket to make darshan of other shrines which I could not see being in general queue. So the difference between 100 and 200 is almost same. In front of Ramanathaswamy Linga first queue is perpendicularly passing the main shrine, same way second queue is passing through the second line and general queue is having darshan in straight line. General darshan is very good actually, only issue is you cannot do darshan of other shrines including Viswanathar linga which is placed in the right side of Ramanathaswamy shrine. Parvathavarthini Amman Parvathavarthini Amman is worshiped as Ambal shrine in this temple. She is the consort of Ramanathaswamy shrine here and the placing of Ramanathaswamy and Parvathavarthini Amman is quite similar as Sundareswara and Minakshi amma in Meenakshi Madurai temple. Both shrines are worshiped in different sanctum and sanctorum adjacent to each other. Amma is on the right of Lord Shiva. Outside of Parvathavarthini Amman garbhagriha you will also find asta laxmi shrines stands beside each other. Murals Mural are the art form or paintings which you can see through out the temple. If you enter from the eastern gate, after few steps you will see 5 incredible murals on the ceiling upside down. Each one shows different dance form of Nataraj. Except those there are few other murals present on the 3rd corridor ceiling . 2 more Nataraj murals, multiple Shiva Linga, Story of forming Ramanathaswamy Linga, Ganesh and many more. From the eastern gate from where they will make you exit, on the ceiling you will find few other important murals where they portrait the marriage of Shiva Parvati, Vishnu Laxmi, Ram Sita, Ganesh Riddhi Siddhi, Sundareswarar Meenakshi and 6th one you tell me. That is your homework. Write in comment section. World famous third corridor There are total 1212 pillars on the 3rd corridor which has been constructed by King Thiru. Muthu malinga Sethupathi within 1740 to 1770. From east to west stretch is 690 feet and north to south stretch is 435 feet. Height of the corridor is 22 feet 7 and half inch. Ceiling of the corridor is full of incredible graphics and murals. Pillars are full of different sculptures along with Yali and Yaksha Yakshini. Yali is the Lion faced animal, Tusk like elephant, body like horses, legs like birds or other animals stand with several pillars. It is believed that all the sculptures in 3rd corridor protects the inner sanctum of the temple. Nataraja temple There are two Nataraja shrine in this temple. One is in main garbhagriha for that you need 100 or 200 rs ticket. And another Nataraja shrine is present in the north eastern corner of the world famous third Corridor. This is a proper temple separately created. I have noticed sometimes you can access it entering from east gate and turning right through the third corridor after 3:30 pm. Other time is remains restricted, then you have to enter from the North gate and turn left and follow the 3rd corridor. You will notice they restructure the barricades now and then as per the rush. That is why sometimes we get access of something and in other time we don’t. Additional informations Lets talk about the hotels, food and market available near by temple. You will easily find accommodations and Dharamshala with different rates around the temple. If you are visiting in pick time book it online by calling them. Otherwise you can go and get the room without prior booking. Except that you will find multiple veg hotels for food. Mostly they allow cash payment that is the biggest problem in that area. So keep cash with you. But in few places on request I was able to pay online. Most of the market you will find towards of West gopuram. Few ATM are also there around the temple. Remember roads outside the North, East and South gate of the temple is restricted for four wheeler or other vehicles. Car will drop you near by west gopuram, then you have to walk to the other side. Clock room, Locker and free shoe stand are available here and there. Clock room will cost 50 rs per hour and locker is 20 rs per hour. Free toilets are available nearby the temple. 13 places to visit in Rameswaram (Sightseeing) On the way to Dhanushkodi our first destination was Kothanda ramar temple. You can’t believe how fascinating the area is, morning breeze will make you so energetic and refreshed. Both side you will experience low rise water body. And the temple is very peaceful and beautifully structured. This is the only temple in whole india dedicated to King Vibhishana. This is the place where Vibhishan came, approached and surrendered to Sri Ram after Ravan refuse to return Goddess Sita. Vanara army urged Ram not to accept but Ram accepted him as he surrendered and did Pattabhishekam in this place. After coming out of the temple I was so excited to see my type of poster. I asked Karthik our driver, he said in September and October Flamingo visits this place. People call it Dhanushkodi but they don’t specify Dhanushkodi is 5 km before Ram Setu where we will get back later. For now let’s move forward to Ram Setu. It is one of the last points of India which divides Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. Officially it is called Arichal Munai. This is the place where Ram directed to his troupe to build a bridge across the ocean to reach Lanka to defeat Ravana. Now you will see a National emblem has been constructed in this area. On the way back we halt back to Dhanushkodi. First we visited the older church and roam around the place. Previously the church surrounding was open, I heard few visitors tried to extract the brick from it and took it to their home. So they have formed a barricade around it. Opposite of the road you will get to see destroyed Dhanushkodi harbour and railway station. Let me inform you, Before the 1964 cyclone, Dhanushkodi was a flourishing tourist and pilgrimage town. That time Ceylon which is now known as Sri Lanka was just 31 km away. There were many ferry services which used to transport travellers and goods across the sea between Dhanushkodi and Sri Lanka. There was a train service up to Dhanushkodi called Boat Mail which started from Madras Egmore. On that night (December 22), 1964 at 11.55 at night, the train No.653, Pamban-Dhanushkodi Passenger with 110 passengers and 5 railway staff, was hit by a massive tidal wave. The whole train was washed away killing all 115 on board. All together over 1800 people died in the cyclonic storm, and Dhanushkodi was declared as "Ghost Town"...means not fit for human life. Next we headed towards Sir APJ Abdul Kalam house which is inside the city itself. The house describes his written articles, achievements, certificates what he was rewarded, medals he has got, awards including Padma Bhushan, Bharat Ratna King Charles, Hoover medal and many more, his journey in DRDO and ISRO and many other sectors, all are displayed. Next we headed towards Pamban bridge to see the new bridge construction where they are constructing a vertical lift sea bridge. Let me inform you Pamban is the 2nd longest sea bridge in India after the Atal Setu in Mumbai. It will give you a nostalgic feeling to see the old railway track which is closed on 23rd December 2022. Next we went to Villondi Theertham where Lord Ram created a well inside the sea to quench thirst of Goddess Sita. The well is still there. It is surprising that the well still gives sweet water even being constructed into the sea. Except that there is a small Shiva temple where a Shiva Linga is worshipped daily. On the way back we visited Dr APJ Abdul Kalam memorial where he is resting in peace. The entire memorial will give you goosebumps I bet. Let me inform you Mobile is not allowed inside. Next we went to Laxman Theertham where you will see a big Theertham which was created by Laxman and took bath to resolve his seen. You will also see a small Shiva temple in this premises. Next we went to a Nataraj temple beside the main road which amazed us by its architecture. Opposite of this Natraj temple a Panchmukhi Hanuman temple resides where you will get to see famous floating stone. Mobile is not allowed so I couldn’t show you inside. There is a big statue of Panchamukhi Hanuman is being worshiped inside which is made of black monolithic stone. Also you will get to see a small ashram which is maintained by charitable trust. Next we went to Rama Theertham. There also you will find a peaceful temple where a statue of Lord Ram is being worshipped. Outside of the temple you will get to see the Theertham. Next we went to Sakshi hanuman temple which is a small roadside old Hanuman temple. The temple is almost abandoned but daily puja is done by locals. Our last destination was Ramar Padam which is a beautiful temple in a hilltop. In this temple you will get to see footprints of Lord Rama. Also it has a breathtaking hill top view of the entire Rameshwar city. |
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