| Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu is popularly
referred to as 'Benaras of the South.' Rameshwaram happens
to be one of the most visited pilgrim sites of India.
Legend has it that to attain Moksha, a visit to Rameshwaram
is mandatory. In the epic Ramayana, there is mention of
Rameshwaram at various places. Rameshwaram is at a distance
of just 24 kms from Sri Lanka. Spread over an area of
61.8 square kilometres, Rameshwaram happens to be in the
shape of a conch.
Accommodation and Connectivity
The airport nearest to Rameshwaram is 163 kilometers
away at Madurai. The place is connected by both rail
and road with Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Thanjavur, Madurai
and Coimbatore among other cities. Rameshwaram is connected
with the mainland through the 2 km long Indira Gandhi
Bridge.
Being a major pilgrimage centre of the country, Rameshwaram
has many hotels, lodges, guest houses and hostels that
provide good facilities for a comfortable stay.
The Temples of Rameshwaram
The Ramanatha Swamy Temple
A masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, the Ramanatha
Swamy Temple has the largest temple corridor in India.
Starting from the 12th century, the temple was built
by different rulers.The main attraction of the temple
are the twenty-two wells of it. Surprising but true
that the water of each well tastes different from that
of the other. It is also believed that the waters of
the well have curative properties. Many different festivals
are celebrated in the temple with pomp and gaiety.They
include the festivals of Masi Sivarathiri, Thirukalyanam,
Mahalaya Amavasai and Thai Amavasai.
Agnitriham.
The popular bathing spot of Agnitriham is located near
Ramanatha Swamy Temple. The devotees normally bath at
the holy spot before proceeding to the Ramanatha Swamy
Temple.
Ramjharoka temple
At the Ramjharoka Temple, the imprint of Lord Rama's
feet is placed on a chakra. The chakra has been kept
at the highest point of Rameshwaram. The highest point
is at a distance of 5 kms from Rameshwaram town. Being
the highest point of Rameshwaram, a magnificent view
of the blue ocean waters below is available from the
place.
Dhanushkodi
According to the ancient scriptures, Dhanushkodi is
the place from where the monkey army of Lord Rama had
started building the bridge to Lanka to reach the kingdom
of Ravana. The place derives its name from the dhanush
or bow of Lord Rama.
Kothandaramaswamy Temple
It is widely believed that at the Kothandaramaswamy
temple, Vibhishana- the brother of demon king Ravana
submitted himself to Lord Rama and asked Rama to forgive
him for the abduction of goddess Sita. Although Vibhishana
was not directly involved in the kidnapping, he was
ashamed of the fact that the ghastly crime was committed
by his own brother Ravana. Kothandaramaswamy temple
has images of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Hanuman and
Vibhishana.
Apart from the main temples, the whole of Rameshwaram
is dotted with many small temples of Rama, Lakshaman,
Sita and Hanuman. It is interesting to note that every
big and small temple of Rameshwaram does have a history
of its own. Other than the temples, there is also a
tomb of Saint Ibrahim Syed Aulia at Erwadi, some 24
kms from Rameshwaram.
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