The Sri Rameswaram Jyotirlinga temple as it is usually referred to, is the Shri Ramanathaswamy Temple at the Island of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India. Ramanathaswamy - meaning, the Lord to whom Shri Rama himself had worshipped, Shiva, in the aspect of Lingodbhava. The temple is also one of the 275 sacred paadal petra sthalam of Shiva (= sacred places of Shiva's presence).
The Sri Ramanathaswamy temple is of course, the most photographed, with the longest corridor, with the many hundred pillars. Most importantly, the temple is the foremost of the Jyotirlinga temples, the first among the twelve.
If you are starting on a pilgrimage to travel across India, in search of Shiva, and to seek his blessings, and really really understand the amazing aspect of Rudra, then, start from Sri Ramanathaswamy and travel northwards from Rameswaram to Srisailam, Bhimashankar, Grushneswar, Tryambakeshwar, Somnath, Nageshwar, Omkareshwar, Mahakaleshwar, Vaidyanath, Vishwanath and Kedarnath. But, no pilgrimage is ever complete without ensuring homage to Devi Shakti herself, in her aspect of Sri Kanya Kumari at the southern tip of India, and to Kartikeya at the Aaru Paadai temples (= six sacred spots) in Tamil Nadu, to the Pancha Bhoota Sthala (= five aspects of energy) of Shiva in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati, Ashtavinayaka (= Eight aspects of Ganesha) in Maharashtra, the Char Dham (= Four sacred pilgrimage spots) in Uttarakhand, the Pancha Kailash (= Five Kailash pilgrimage places) in Himachal and Uttarakhand, and finally, Pashupathinath in Kathmandu, Nepal and the absolutely final destination - Mount Kailash, in Tibet.
It begins in Rameswaram.
The legend and sthala purana (= story of the land) of Rameswaram explains that Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, worshipped Shiva to seek his blessings and to be absolved of the sins of killing Ravana. It was said that Ravana, the King of Lanka, was the greatest devotee of Shiva, and had received tremendous blessings from him through boons and weapons. Ravana had established the Pancha Ishwaram temples (= five Shiva temples) around the coast of Lanka, to protect the island from invaders and natural calamities. To establish these temples, the legends of these places mention that Ravana had traveled back and forth from Kailash to Lanka and had brought the Lingodbhavaroopam (= the aspect of Shiva in the form of the Lingam) and thereafter conducted the installation rituals himself.
Understanding the significance of the close affection of Shiva to his favourite devotee, Ravana, and to absolve himself of the sin of having to kill the King of Lanka, Rama desired that Hanuman should bring the Lingodbhavaroopam manifestation of Shiva from Kailash to be established at Rameswaram. Hanuman was delayed, and in order to ensure that the rituals were completed in time, Sita built a smaller version of the Lingodbhava and allowed for Rama to conduct the sacred prayers. In the meantime, Hanuman arrived with the larger aspect of the Lingodbhava and thus, both were installed at Rameswaram. The sanctum of the temple presents the Lingodbhava of Shiva, the smaller version built and established by Sita, and alongside, in the inner parikrama (= circumambulation), is the one brought by Hanuman.
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The Teerthams outside the temple area are -
23. Vedhala Varatham Teertham - South of Mandapam.
24. Papavinasa Teertham - South of Mandapam.
25. Bhairava Teertham - In Pamban.
26. Kabhi Teertham - In Pamban.
27. Sita Kundam (Teertham) - North of Thangachimadam.
28. Mangala Teertham - North of Thangachimadam.
29. Amirtha Valli Teertham - Within the precinct of Sri Ekanda Ramaswami Temple
30. Ranavimosana Teertham - North of the Sri Ekanda Ramaswami Temple.
31. Lakshmana Teertham - On the Rameswaram Pamban Road
32. Rama Teertham - On the Rameswaram Pamban Road
33. Sita Teertham - On the Rameswaram Pamban Road
34. Sugreeva teertham - Enroute to Gandamadana Mountain
35. Angada Teertham - Enroute to Gandamadana Mountain
36. Jambavan Teertham - Enroute to Gandamadana Mountain
37. Gandamadana Teertham - Enroute to Gandamadana Mountain
38. Dharma Teertham (Pancha Pandava Teerthams)
39. Bhima Teertham (Pancha Pandava Teerthams)
40. Arjuna Teertham (Pancha Pandava Teerthams)
41. Nakula Teertham (Pancha Pandava Teerthams)
42. Sahadeva Teertahm (Pancha Pandava Teerthams)
42. Draupadi Teertham - Near Sri Bhadrakali Temple
43. Brahma Teertham - Near Sri Bhadrakali Temple
44. Hanuman Gundam (Teertham) - Near Sri Bhadrakali Temple
45. Naga Teertham - North East of the Temple
46. Agastya Teertham - North East of the Temple
47. Jatayu Teertham - Enroute to Dhanushkodi.
48. Dhanushkodi Teertham - Confluence of the rivers - Rathnaharam and Mahodathi. Near the sea at Dhanushkodi.
49. Deva Teertham - Opposite (in front of) Sri Rama Sannathi
50. Kajan Teertham
51. Saravana Teertham
52. Kumudan Teertham - Opposite (in front of) Sri Rama Sannathi
53. Haran Teertham - Opposite (in front of) Sri Rama Sannathi
54. Panagan Teertham - Opposite (in front of) Sri Rama Sannathi
55. Vibeeshana Teertham - Opposite (in front of) Sri Rama Sannathi
56. Chakra Teertham - Tirupallani (Darbhasayanam)
57. Vetala Varada Teertham - South of Chakra Teertham of Tirupallani
58. Amrita Vapi Teertham - Near Ekanta Rama Temple
59. Villundi Teertham - Near Thangachimadam
60. Sharada Teertham - Near Ekanta Rama Temple
The Teerthams (= sacred perennial water sources) outside the temple are found from Devipattanam (or Navapashanam) and Tirupullani (Darbhasayanam) near Ramnad, towards Mandapam.
Some Teerthams are not considered to be of importance, but this may be entirely due to poor maintenance and difficult of access.
Map of Rameswaram Island on the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple website - copyright of the original owners only. Presented here for reference value only.
The Sri Ramanathaswamy temple is of course, the most photographed, with the longest corridor, with the many hundred pillars. Most importantly, the temple is the foremost of the Jyotirlinga temples, the first among the twelve.
If you are starting on a pilgrimage to travel across India, in search of Shiva, and to seek his blessings, and really really understand the amazing aspect of Rudra, then, start from Sri Ramanathaswamy and travel northwards from Rameswaram to Srisailam, Bhimashankar, Grushneswar, Tryambakeshwar, Somnath, Nageshwar, Omkareshwar, Mahakaleshwar, Vaidyanath, Vishwanath and Kedarnath. But, no pilgrimage is ever complete without ensuring homage to Devi Shakti herself, in her aspect of Sri Kanya Kumari at the southern tip of India, and to Kartikeya at the Aaru Paadai temples (= six sacred spots) in Tamil Nadu, to the Pancha Bhoota Sthala (= five aspects of energy) of Shiva in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati, Ashtavinayaka (= Eight aspects of Ganesha) in Maharashtra, the Char Dham (= Four sacred pilgrimage spots) in Uttarakhand, the Pancha Kailash (= Five Kailash pilgrimage places) in Himachal and Uttarakhand, and finally, Pashupathinath in Kathmandu, Nepal and the absolutely final destination - Mount Kailash, in Tibet.
It begins in Rameswaram.
The legend and sthala purana (= story of the land) of Rameswaram explains that Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, worshipped Shiva to seek his blessings and to be absolved of the sins of killing Ravana. It was said that Ravana, the King of Lanka, was the greatest devotee of Shiva, and had received tremendous blessings from him through boons and weapons. Ravana had established the Pancha Ishwaram temples (= five Shiva temples) around the coast of Lanka, to protect the island from invaders and natural calamities. To establish these temples, the legends of these places mention that Ravana had traveled back and forth from Kailash to Lanka and had brought the Lingodbhavaroopam (= the aspect of Shiva in the form of the Lingam) and thereafter conducted the installation rituals himself.
Understanding the significance of the close affection of Shiva to his favourite devotee, Ravana, and to absolve himself of the sin of having to kill the King of Lanka, Rama desired that Hanuman should bring the Lingodbhavaroopam manifestation of Shiva from Kailash to be established at Rameswaram. Hanuman was delayed, and in order to ensure that the rituals were completed in time, Sita built a smaller version of the Lingodbhava and allowed for Rama to conduct the sacred prayers. In the meantime, Hanuman arrived with the larger aspect of the Lingodbhava and thus, both were installed at Rameswaram. The sanctum of the temple presents the Lingodbhava of Shiva, the smaller version built and established by Sita, and alongside, in the inner parikrama (= circumambulation), is the one brought by Hanuman.
The Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple at the city of Rameswaram
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Zoom in at the temple
Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple Quadrangle at Rameswaram Island
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Zoom in - for spatial map between Rameswaram Railway Station and
Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple
Notice the Rama and Lakshmana Teerthams and the Jetty with
the many fishing boats in the Sea
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Zoom in at the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple
Sri Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga Temple
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Zoom out to the Pamban Bridge link between Mandapam (on the mainland)
and Rameswaram Island
The Pamban Bridge link to Rameswaram Island
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Teerthams of Rameswaram
One of the most significant aspects of a pilgrimage to Rameswaram is to visit all the sacred perennial water sources that had been identified during the times of the Ramayana. Many pilgrims take an oath to visit the teerthams in a certain chronological order, by vehicle, by foot, or by bicycle. These are really determined pilgrims, who know every single sacred spot on the island and are absolutely persistent in their goals. They are seen in groups or in pairs, and are very humble and are respected by the local people.
There are 64 Teerthams in the island of Rameswaram. The Skanda Purana (= Purana about Kartikeya, elder son of Shiva and Parvathi, the generalissimo of the gods in their battles) considers 24 Teerthams to be important. 22 Teerthams are inside the precincts of the Sri Ramanathaswamy temple, while 42 Teerthams are at different locations of the Island.
The 22 Teerthams inside the temple precincts are -
1. Mahalakshmi Teertham - South of Sri Hanuman temple.
2. Savitri Teertham - West of Sri Hanuman temple.
3. Gayatri Teertham - West of Sri Hanuman temple.
4. Saraswati Teertham - West of Sri Hanuman temple.
5. Sethu Madhava Teertham - Near the Tank at the third corridor.
6. Gandhamadana Teertham - Within the area of the Sethu Madhava Temple.
7. Kavacha Teertham - Within the area of the Sethu Madhava Temple.
8. Gavaya Teertham - Within the area of the Sethu Madhava Temple.
9. Nala Teertham - Within the area of the Sethu Madhava Temple.
10. Neela Teertham - Within the area of the Sethu Madhava Temple.
11. Sanku Teertham - Within the inner corridor of the Temple.
12. Sakkara Teertham - Within the inner corridor of the Temple.
13. Brahmahathi Vimochana Teertham - Within the inner corridor of the Temple.
14. Sooriya Teertham - Within the inner corridor of the Temple.
15. Chandra Teertham - Within the inner corridor of the Temple.
16. Ganga Teertham - Within the inner corridor of the Temple.
17. Yamuna Teertham - Within the inner corridor of the Temple.
18. Gaya Teertham - Within the inner corridor of the Temple.
19. Siva Teertham - South of Nandeeswara within the Temple.
20. Sadyamirtha Teertham - Within the temple area of Devi Parvathi (sanctum)
21. Sarva Teertham - Opposite (in front of) the sanctum of Lord Ramanatha
22. Kodi Teertham - Within the first corridor of the Temple.
23. Vedhala Varatham Teertham - South of Mandapam.
24. Papavinasa Teertham - South of Mandapam.
25. Bhairava Teertham - In Pamban.
26. Kabhi Teertham - In Pamban.
27. Sita Kundam (Teertham) - North of Thangachimadam.
28. Mangala Teertham - North of Thangachimadam.
29. Amirtha Valli Teertham - Within the precinct of Sri Ekanda Ramaswami Temple
30. Ranavimosana Teertham - North of the Sri Ekanda Ramaswami Temple.
31. Lakshmana Teertham - On the Rameswaram Pamban Road
32. Rama Teertham - On the Rameswaram Pamban Road
33. Sita Teertham - On the Rameswaram Pamban Road
34. Sugreeva teertham - Enroute to Gandamadana Mountain
35. Angada Teertham - Enroute to Gandamadana Mountain
36. Jambavan Teertham - Enroute to Gandamadana Mountain
37. Gandamadana Teertham - Enroute to Gandamadana Mountain
38. Dharma Teertham (Pancha Pandava Teerthams)
39. Bhima Teertham (Pancha Pandava Teerthams)
40. Arjuna Teertham (Pancha Pandava Teerthams)
41. Nakula Teertham (Pancha Pandava Teerthams)
42. Sahadeva Teertahm (Pancha Pandava Teerthams)
42. Draupadi Teertham - Near Sri Bhadrakali Temple
43. Brahma Teertham - Near Sri Bhadrakali Temple
44. Hanuman Gundam (Teertham) - Near Sri Bhadrakali Temple
45. Naga Teertham - North East of the Temple
46. Agastya Teertham - North East of the Temple
47. Jatayu Teertham - Enroute to Dhanushkodi.
48. Dhanushkodi Teertham - Confluence of the rivers - Rathnaharam and Mahodathi. Near the sea at Dhanushkodi.
49. Deva Teertham - Opposite (in front of) Sri Rama Sannathi
50. Kajan Teertham
51. Saravana Teertham
52. Kumudan Teertham - Opposite (in front of) Sri Rama Sannathi
53. Haran Teertham - Opposite (in front of) Sri Rama Sannathi
54. Panagan Teertham - Opposite (in front of) Sri Rama Sannathi
55. Vibeeshana Teertham - Opposite (in front of) Sri Rama Sannathi
56. Chakra Teertham - Tirupallani (Darbhasayanam)
57. Vetala Varada Teertham - South of Chakra Teertham of Tirupallani
58. Amrita Vapi Teertham - Near Ekanta Rama Temple
59. Villundi Teertham - Near Thangachimadam
60. Sharada Teertham - Near Ekanta Rama Temple
The Teerthams (= sacred perennial water sources) outside the temple are found from Devipattanam (or Navapashanam) and Tirupullani (Darbhasayanam) near Ramnad, towards Mandapam.
Some Teerthams are not considered to be of importance, but this may be entirely due to poor maintenance and difficult of access.
Map of Rameswaram Island on the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple website - copyright of the original owners only. Presented here for reference value only.
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