The Divine Journey to Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga: Shiva’s Eternal Blessing

 The Divine Journey to Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga: Shiva’s Eternal Blessing

The historic temple of Rameshwaram is rich in mythology, history, and legend. It offers a distinctive architectural style that distinguishes it from other temples in India. Situated in the Tamil Nadu town of Rameshwaram, India, Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is a site of immense religious and historical significance. Among the twelve Jyotirlingas, it is thought to be the most sacred place on Earth where Lord Shiva resides.

Ramanathaswamy Temple, the shrine of the Rameswaram Jyotirlinga, is located in Rameswaram, which is a part of Tamil Nadu. With significant assistance from the kings of Sri Lanka, the Indian kings constructed the temple’s current structure in the seventeenth century.  Among all the Hindu temples in India, this one is reputed to have the longest corridor. While some parts of the temple date back more than a thousand years, Rameswaram’s mythological associations place it in the Ramayana period. The temple is also connected to the well-known saint Adi Shankara, who visited Rameshwaram in the eighth century and founded the four Shankaracharya Peethas (Puri, Dwarka, Badrinath, along with Rameswaram).

The story behind Rameshwaram Jyotirlingam is a famous one. Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, was taken to his palace by the demon king of Lanka, Ravana. The vanara (monkey) king Sugriva assisted Rama in his search for and eventual rescue of Sita. When Hanuman told them that Sita was being held captive in Lanka, Rama and brother Lakshmana, along with Sugriva and an enormous army of vanaras, arrived at the ocean’s edge. For all of them, Lanka lay on the other side of an ocean that seemed insurmountable. Rama contemplated how he would get to Lanka in order to engage in this major battle, knowing the strength of Ravana and his formidable brothers and son.

Subsequently, Rama became hungry and thirsty and asked Lakshmana to get the vanaras to fetch him some water. The vanaras brought him pure, cool water in no time at all. Rama began to drink it, but stopped as he realized he had not yet worshipped Lord Shiva. Rama began a fervent worship of Lord Shiva by building a shivalinga out of sand and performing all the necessary rites. He chanted mantras, performed eulogies, meditated, and danced in adoration of Lord Shiva.

Rama’s devotion delighted Lord Shiva, who then appeared before him accompanied by Devi Parvati and his ganas (Siva’s companions). With great devotion, Rama and the others prayed to Lord Shiva in his luminous form. Lord Shiva exclaimed, “O great king Rama, I bless you, may you be victorious,” with love and satisfaction.

With these remarks, Lord Shiva granted Rama permission to fight the legendary King Ravana as well as his blessing for victory. Rama requested Shiva with devotion that “Lord, please stay here for the benefit of people and to make the world pure”. Shiva granted Rama’s request and manifested as the Jyotirlinga, which went on to be known as Rameswaram around the globe.

A significant part of the Rameswaram pilgrimage is bathing in one of the 64 teerthas (holy water bodies) scattered throughout the island. 22 of the sacred teerthas are located within the Rameswaram Temple, each with pure, divine water that has a distinct taste and temperature. It is believed that each teertha’s water has therapeutic properties. Despite being used by many people on a daily basis, recent scientific investigations have revealed that these waters are completely free of bacteria. Some people think that the number 22 represents the 22 arrows in Rama’s quiver.

Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Temple with its exquisite sculptures and carvings, is a magnificent example of Dravidian architecture. The temple boasts a number of unusual features, including the enormous 12-foot-tall and 20-foot-long Nandi statue and its 22 wells, which are thought to have therapeutic qualities. There are 1212 pillars in the corridor, and each one is beautifully carved with scenes from Hindu mythology. The gopuram, or tower, of the temple is particularly impressive to see, with its elaborate and colourful sculptures. The structure is even more amazing because the rock is not native to the island.

Within the sanctuary are two lingas: the primary deity, Rama, constructed one out of sand, and Hanuman brought the other Shiva Linga, known as Vishwalinga, from Mount Kailash.

Legend has it that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva in this spot on his way back from Lanka – after defeating the demon king, Ravana. To atone for the sin of killing Ravana – a Brahmin and great Shiva devotee – Lord Rama offered prayers to Lord Shiva. Since there was no shrine for Shiva there, he sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash, Lord Shiva’s abode, to bring the linga. However, Hanuman could not return before the auspicious time set to perform the puja, so Sita made a linga out of sand – Ramalinga that Rama worshipped. When Hanuman returned, he was disappointed that Rama had not waited for his linga. To pacify him, Rama instructed devotees to worship the linga brought by Hanuman, which he called the Vishwalinga before the Ramalinga.

Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga has great spiritual significance during the Sawan month. It is believed by devotees that Lord Shiva is particularly powerful at this time, inspiring pilgrimages in search of heavenly blessings and spiritual advancement. Fasting, meditation, and prayer are all part of the rituals; holy baths in Agni Teertham and Sethu Karai are thought to cleanse the soul and strengthen one’s bond with Lord Shiva.

Rameshwaram draws followers from all over the world because of its sacred waters, which are thought to have healing properties and the interesting stories associated with it. For anyone interested in Indian art and culture, it is a must-visit because of its distinctive architecture, exquisite carvings, and magnificent sculptures.

Kanishka Dwivedi

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