Part 4.7 - Description of Rāmeśvara liṅga

The importance of Rāmeśvara liṅga temple was being written in Skanda mythology. It is also one of the twelve Jyotirliṅga temples. Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to God Śiva located on Rāmeśvaraṃ island in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This Jyotirliṅga was being established by Sri Ramachandra himself. The Rāmeśvara Svāmī [Rameshwar Swami] temple was situated 1000ft length and 650ft breadth and at a height of 150ft. Many sculptures on the walls of temple, Nandheeśvara, silver choriot, and golden roof of the temple are the important one’s to be seen. There are nearly 1200 pillars around the temple and 23 tīrthas (laks) are found. As this temple is located on the sea coast, that sea considered as 24^th tīrtha people coming from northern India will make “abhiṣeka” (bath) to lord Śiva here with Gaṅgā water and sand in Rāmeśvar is taken and melted is Gaṅgā river. It is one of 274 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where the three of the most revered nayanars (Śaivite saints), appar, sundarar and tirugnana sambandar, have glorified the temple with their songs.

History

The temple was expanded during the 12^th century by Pandya Dynasty, and its principal shrines sanctum were renovated by jayaveera Cinkaiariyan and his successor Gunaveera Cinkaiariyan of the Jaffna kingdom. The temple has the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India. The temple is located in Rāmeśvaraṃ considered a holy pilgrimage site for Śaivites, Vaiṣṇavites and Smarthas.

According to Epics

The presiding deity, the Liṅgaṃ of Rāmeśvara (Śiva), was established and worshiped by Rāma before crossing his bridge to Laṅkā. In “Trethayuga” after killing Rāvaṇāsura, Sri Rāma with his wife Sītā came “Gandhamadhana” mountain by “Puṣpaka vimāna”. The saints adviced Sri Rama that, on killing Rāvaṇa who was the son of Pulasthya Brahma he will be sinned. So to get our of that sin, they adviced him to established a Śivaliṅga and should worship it so that all sins will be cleared.

Then Śrīrāma ordered Hanuman to get a Śivaliṅga from Kailāsaṃ. Then Hanuman stated his journey towards Kailasāṃ. Then Hanuman stated his journey towards Kailāsaṃ. But in meanwhile as time reached for establishment, Śrīrāma established Śivaliṅga made of mud by the hands of Sītā. At the final stage of establishment Hanuman came there with Śivaliṅga. But at that time the establishment programme was completed. Thus Hanuman felt very sad. Then Rāma tried to convinced him but he cannot able to take out hanuman from sorrow.

Then Rāma said to Hanuman that “Dear Hanumān, the establishment of idol was completed. If you does like it uproot it and establish the liṅga which you have brought. On hearing that words of Śrīrāma, Hanumān became very happy and went to uproot the Śivaliṅga. But even though it was made of mud he cannot lift it and become unconscious. Then Śrīrāma went to Hanuman and awaked him and said “my Hanumān, as this idol was established no one can lift it. If you want your idol the establish it will done beside it “and established Śivaliṅga which was brought by Hanumān was established by Śrīrāma was called “Rāmeśvara” and the idol established near to the idol established by Śrīrāma. The idol established by Śrīrāma was called “Rāmeśvara” and the idol brought by Hanumān was called Hanumadheeśvara” and became very famous.

The primary deity of the temple is Rāmeśvara (Śiva) in the from of liṅgam. There are two liṅgamas inside the sanctum–one built by Rāma, from sand, residing as the main deity, Rāmaliṅgaṃ and the one brought by Hanumān from kailāsa called Viśvaliṅgam. Rāma instructed that the Viśvaliṅgaṃ should be worshipped first since it was brought by Hanumān-the tradition continues even today.

Places to be visited

ŚivaLiṅga as located on the near by mountains which were being established by Vībhiṣaṇa and others. Also “Kanyākumārī” was very famous and people who visit who visit Rāmeśvaraṃ will definitely visit this “Kanyākumārī”.