History and Sacred Beliefs of Rameshwaram Temple in South India | 22 Wells Temple of Rameshwaram

The History and Sacred Beliefs of Rameshwaram Temple in South India is one of the major religious and holy pilgrimage sites of the Hindus.

Located in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, this temple is one of the four dhams, people of the Hindu religion believe that one can get salvation by traveling to the four dhams (Badrinath, Jannathpuri, Dadharaka, and Rameshwaram Yatra).

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At the same time, taking a dip of faith here also has its significance. It is believed that by taking a dip here, all diseases and sorrows are removed from the poor. This temple built in South India is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

The faith of millions of devotees is attached to this temple. Every year millions of devotees come to see Rameshwaram. This temple is also famous for Ramnath Swamy Temple and Rameshwam Dadhip.

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History and Sacred Beliefs of Rameshwaram Temple in South India

The history of Rameshwaram temple and many stories about its establishment are prevalent. The story of Lord Rama’s return to Lanka is associated with the establishment of this holy abode located at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

According to the Ramayana, it is believed that when Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, brought back his righteous wife Sita by destroying the great demon.

Then he was said to have committed the sin of killing a Brahmin, after which to get rid of this sin. He was advised by some great saints to worship Lord Shiva.

However, there was no Shiva temple on the island, so Lord Rama decided to establish a Shivalinga at Rameswaram. After this, he sent Pawansut Hanuman ji to Mount Kailash to bring the idol of Shiva.

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Following Lord Rama’s orders, Hanuman went to get the Shiva statue, but he was late in returning. After which Mata Sita built the Shivling from the sand lying on the seashore.

And this Shivling was later known as “Ramnath”. After this Lord Rama worshipped this Shivalinga with full devotion and devotion to get rid of the sin of killing Ravana, and also established the Shivalinga brought by Hanuman Ji there.

It is one of the major Jyotirlingas of Lord Shankar, to which the faith of millions of devotees is attached.

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Temple History of Rameshwar

According to some facts mentioned in the history of the Rameshwaram temple. The Gopuram of the temple was built by King Udayan Sethupathi and Naga resident Vaishya in the 15th century.

Then in the sixteenth century, the wall on the other side of the south of the temple was built and Nandi Mandap was built.

Then in the 17th century, Rameswaram Temple, one of the four dhams, was built by Raghunath Killavan and King Kizhavan Sethupathi.

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The Attractive Architecture of Rameshwaram Temple

Rameshwar Temple, one of the main sacred pilgrimage sites of Hinduism, is also known for its grandeur and attractive design. It is a very attractive and beautiful specimen of Indian construction art.

The length of this temple is 1000 feet, width 650 feet and the entrance of the temple is 40 meters high, so different and very beautiful artifacts are made on the pillar. This temple was constructed in Dravida architectural style.

In this temple, there is an established Shivling of Mother Sita and two lingas brought by Lord Hanuman from Mount Kailash. The corridor of Rameswaram Temple is considered the longest corridor in the world.

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Interesting Facts About Rameshwaram Temple in South India

1. In Hindu theology and Puranas, the name of Rameshwaramis called Gandhamadan Parvat. It was here that Lord Ram established the Navagraha. The bridge has started from here. Just a short distance away from this temple is a pool called Jata Tirtha.
2. Sri Ram established the Navagraha here. The bridge was started from here. Setubandh was also started from here.
3. There is also a belief about the Rameshwaram temple by taking a dip here. All diseases are removed and all sins are freed.
4. It was at this place that Mother Durga killed Mahishasura.
5. There is also a belief behind traveling to RameshwaramTirtham that a mere visit here frees man from all sins and fulfills every wish sought in this temple with a sincere mind.
6. Located in the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Sea of ​​Arabia, this famous pilgrimage place has special significance in bringing Ganga water from Gangotri in Uttarakhand and offering it to Shivling. On the other hand, if the pilgrims who come to visit Rameshwaram do not have Ganga water, then the Pandits of this pilgrimage take Dakshina and provide Ganga water to the devotees.
7. The corridor of Rameshwaram Temple is the longest in the world.
8. There is a pool called Jata Tirtha, a little distance from Rameshwaram, where Sri Rama washed his hair after fighting with Ravana in Lanka.
9. There are also temples dedicated to many other deities in the Rameswaram Temple, and 22 are sources of holy water.
10. The first and foremost of this holy pilgrimage place for Hindus is known as Agni Tirtha.
11. Other sightseeing places near Rameshwar Temple are Sakshi Vinayak, Ekantharam Temple, Sitakund, Amritvatika, Vibhishana Tirtha, Nandikeshwar, Madhav Kund, Ramatirtha, etc. Apart from this, about 30 kilometers from here, there is a place called Dhanushkodi, which is a place called Pitru-Milan and Shraddha Tirtha.
12. The festival of Mahashivratri is celebrated with great pomp in the Rameswaram temple.

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Architectural Wonders to Rameshwaram Temple

1. Longest Corridor: Boasting the longest corridor among all Hindu temples, this 4,000-foot-long passage features intricately carved pillars and vibrant frescoes illustrating the Ramayana epic.
2. Hall of Pillars: The sanctum sanctorum houses over 1,000 intricately carved pillars soaring 30 feet tall, creating a breathtaking sight.
3. Floating Stone: In the eastern courtyard, a mysterious black stone believed to be “floating” fuels scientific curiosity and adds to the temple’s aura.

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Mythological Connections with Rameshwaram Temple

1. Hindu Trinity: The temple holds significance for all three major Hindu denominations – Shaivites (dedicated to Shiva), Vaishnavites (dedicated to Vishnu), and Smarthas (followers of Adi Shankara).
2. Ramayana Epic: Legend associates the temple with Rama, who worshipped Shiva here before building his bridge to Lanka. The 22 “theerthams” (holy water tanks) represent Rama’s 22 arrows.
3. Jyotirlinga: The temple houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Shiva’s sacred manifestations believed to emit radiant light.

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Unique Traditions and Customs of Rameshwaram Temple

1. Celestial Wedding: Every year, a unique ritual called “Teertthamuzhi” celebrates the celestial wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
2. 22 Teerthams: Devotees bathe in the 22 holy water tanks, each believed to wash away specific sins and grant blessings.
3. Ramanathapuram Corridor Walk: A special “corridor walk” is undertaken by pilgrims, covering the entire length of the corridor for spiritual merit.

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Additional Curiosities about Rameshwaram Temple

1. The temple complex covers an area of 156 acres.
2. Its majestic eastern gopuram (gateway) boasts 9 tiers and is adorned with vibrant sculptures.
3. The temple holds the record for the longest fresco painting in the world, depicting scenes from the Ramayana.

These are just a few of the many fascinating facts about the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Its rich history, intricate architecture, and captivating mythological connections make it a truly unique and unforgettable pilgrimage site.

Rameshwaram temple, one of the four major shrines, has the faith of millions of devotees. Every year there is an influx of faith and reverence. This famous pilgrimage center is easily accessible by road, rail, and air.

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History and Sacred Beliefs of Rameshwaram Temple in South India: FAQ

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Ompal Aggarwal

I am a writer based in Delhi. I am 64 years old with more than 44 years of experience in History and Modern Interesting facts. I cover Historical and Modern Interesting facts-based news. I write about historical documentaries on war and religious facts.

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