Guest guest Posted May 3, 2004 Report Share Posted May 3, 2004 Dear Friends -----thought I would write about these temples,It was my first visit and it was a wonderful spiritual experience. Rameshwaram (also spelt as Rameswaram) is a pilgrimage centre of nationwide importance, as Rama is said to have worshipped Shiva here on his way back from SriLanka. The temple is in the island of Rameshwaram, the Banares of the South, connected to the mainland by a bridge (The famous pamban bridge an architectural marvel ). The shiva linga here constitutes one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India. The Rameshwaram pilgrimage has long been a tradition in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, and has passed into folklore. Many kings of old prided themselves on having planted columns of victory in Rameshwaram-Krishna III the Rashtrakuta, in the 10th century; the Hoysala, Vishnuvardhana, in the 12th century. Everything in and near Rameshwaram is traditionally connected with incidents in the "Ramayana". The pilgrimage is considered complete only after worship in the Sri Ramanatha temple but also after a bath in Dhanushkodi, a tip of the island where the Bay of Bengal, called the "Mahodadhi" in ancient times, joins the Indian Ocean, or Ratnakaram, its beautiful old name "Dhanushkodi", in Tamil the "end of the bow", takes its name from a tradition that Sri Rama, at the request of Vibishana, his friend, destroyed the bridge to Sri Lanka with the end of His bow. The temple of Sri Ramanatha, which has over the centuries grown into its present gigantic dimensions, stands on the eastern shore of an island, which is shaped like a conch, which Lord Vishnu bears in one of His hands. A magnificent railway bridge, over a kilometre long and constructed at the beginning of the twentieth century, connects it with the mainland. Since it was Sri Rama Himself who, in time honoured tradition, built the temple, it is held in particular reverence. After killing Ravana, He returned to India and, in Rameshwaram, offered worship to Lord Shiva to expiate the sin incurred in destroying him. Intending to set up a Linga, He directed Hanuman to bring one from Kailasa within a certain time. Hanuman was delayed. Meanwhile, the propitious hour for the installation having arrived, Sita Herself prepared one of sand, and offered it worship. This is the Linga of Sri Ramanatha in the temple. When Hanuman returned with a Linga, He found that it was too late. He was angry and attempted to uproot the Ramalinga. But He failed. To pacify Him Sri Rama directed that his Linga, the "Visvalinga", should also be set up and that worship should first be offered to it. This is the second Linga under worship in the temple. In the principal sanctum there is the Linga of Sri Ranganatha. This is the one, which Sita made and Sri Rama sanctified. There is much delicate artistry in many parts of the sanctum. The Vimana, of three storeys, contains images of Hanuman, the Gandhamadhana Linga, and the Agastya Linga. The Linga of Visvanatha (also spelt as Vishvanatha), which Hanuman brought, is enshrined in another sanctum to the north. Worship is offered to it first. In yet another shrine there is an image of Visalakshi, the Consort of Visvanatha, Ramanatha's Consort, Parvathavardhani, is enshrined in a sanctum to the right of His. Usually, in Shiva temples, the Goddess is enshrined to the left of the Lord. But here, as in Madurai, this location has not been followed. Behind the Sri Ramanatha shrine, and between the second and third prakaras, there is a sanctum for Lord Vishnu as "Sethumadhava". Strictly speaking, the name should be "Svetha Madhava". The first word is Sanskrit for "white". The name derives from the fact that the image is of white marble. There are no less than twenty-two "thirthas" (also spelt as Teertha or Tirtha), or bathing places, mainly within, but a few also outside, the temple. According to time-honoured tradition, the pilgrim bathes first in Agni Tirtha (also spelt Theertham), as the sea to the east of the temple is called (nearby there is a Shankara Matha), and finally in the Kodi tirtha, which is within the temple. The importance of bathing in these "thirthas" derives from the tradition that Sri Krishna Himself did so. The Spathik linga pooja performed at 5.00 a.m is a sight to behold, an experience where you could see Lord Shiva himself. The temple 264m east to west and 200m north to south, and with three Prakaras, two big Gopuras and two more unfinished ones, faces east, a few metres from the sea. It contains two Lingas under worship. There are innumerable other shrines and twenty-two "Tirthas" (also spelt as Teerthas), or sacred bathing places. At the main eastern entrance stands a huge Gopura of nine storeys and 38.4m high. The outermost, or third, corridor, 196m long and 120.4 wide, is one of the achievements of the Hindu artist down the ages. There are about four thousand pillars, each 3.7m high. All are located on a platform 1.5m high. They look like an orderly, petrified forest. What is truly remarkable, apart from the sheer artistry of it which has so magnificently conquered problems of proportions, height and such like, is that all these stones must have been transported here over long distances and across the sea by a causeway. . How the huge stones could have been carried across a turbulent sea is a question the answer to which proves that old Indian engineers were quite advanced in technology. A huge Nandi, 6.7m long and 5m high, stands beyond the second Prakara. It is made of 'Sudai', a material used for sculptures on Gopuras. On either side of it there are portraits of two of the Nayaks, Visvanatha and Krishnappa. The western Gopura is smaller than the eastern, but still impressive, being 24m high. On the northern and southern sides there are unfinished Gopuras. Uttarakosamangai : 16-km southwest of Ramanathapuram stands the renowed Shiva temple of Uttarakosamangai. Manikkavachagar has sung of it. The Lord is Mangaleshvara and the Goddess Mangalesvari. The temple has inspired many Tamil works of devotion. So, of course, has the Ramanatha temple in Rameshwaram. There is a huge statue of Lord Nataraja Approx 5 feet in height and built from a single green Emarald stone. As it could disintegrate due to any high frequency sound vibrations it is covered in sandalwood paste for all days in a year except one day when piligrims from all over the world form a serpentine queue to have his darshan with the lord in all its splendour. Tiruppullani : Outside the island, there are three other sites traditionally connected with Sri Rama's expedition to Sri Lanka. A big temple in Tiruppullani commemorates the tradition that there the Lord obtained a bow and arrows to use in the impending war from its presiding Deity and also that the Lord of the Ocean who had refused to help Him finally submitted. Om Namo Shivaye Vipin Note: For any friends planning to visit these temples: Accommodation is available at the moderate and economy class hotels, devasthanam cottages and choultries in Rameshwaram. To Reach Rameshwaram Air : The nearest airport is at Madurai(a small town which can be reached by air from any of the major cities in India), at a distance of 154-km. Rail : Rameshwaram is well connected by trains from all the major cities of India. Road : State transport buses are available from the railway station to the various places in and around Rameshwaram. For local transportation taxis, auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws and tongas are available. Also city bus service is available in the island. Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2004 Report Share Posted May 3, 2004 Dear Vipinji Thank you My Friend for a most Enlightening tour of Southern India.......your writting is extremely clear takeing us on the journey with you........thank you for allowing us to benefit from your Highly Auspicious experience Wishing you and Family the Best Thanks and Take Care DharmaDev In a message dated 5/2/2004 11:54:35 PM Pacific Standard Time, vipinendran writes: > > > Dear Friends -----thought I would write about these temples,It was my first > visit and it was a wonderful spiritual experience. > > Rameshwaram (also spelt as Rameswaram) is a pilgrimage centre of nationwide > importance, as Rama is said to have worshipped Shiva here on his way back > from SriLanka. The temple is in the island of Rameshwaram, the Banares of the > South, connected to the mainland by a bridge (The famous pamban bridge an > architectural marvel ). The shiva linga here constitutes one of the 12 > Jyotirlingas of India. > > > The Rameshwaram pilgrimage has long been a tradition in South India, > particularly in Tamil Nadu, and has passed into folklore. Many kings of old prided > themselves on having planted columns of victory in Rameshwaram-Krishna III the > Rashtrakuta, in the 10th century; the Hoysala, Vishnuvardhana, in the 12th > century. > > Everything in and near Rameshwaram is traditionally connected with incidents > in the "Ramayana". The pilgrimage is considered complete only after > worship in the Sri Ramanatha temple but also after a bath in Dhanushkodi, a tip of > the island where the Bay of Bengal, called the "Mahodadhi" in ancient times, > joins the Indian Ocean, or Ratnakaram, its beautiful old name "Dhanushkodi", > in Tamil the "end of the bow", takes its name from a tradition that Sri Rama, > at the request of Vibishana, his friend, destroyed the bridge to Sri Lanka > with the end of His bow. > > The temple of Sri Ramanatha, which has over the centuries grown into its > present gigantic dimensions, stands on the eastern shore of an island, which is > shaped like a conch, which Lord Vishnu bears in one of His hands. A > magnificent railway bridge, over a kilometre long and constructed at the beginning of > the twentieth century, connects it with the mainland. > > Since it was Sri Rama Himself who, in time honoured tradition, built the > temple, it is held in particular reverence. After killing Ravana, He returned to > India and, in Rameshwaram, offered worship to Lord Shiva to expiate the sin > incurred in destroying him. Intending to set up a Linga, He directed Hanuman > to bring one from Kailasa within a certain time. Hanuman was delayed. > Meanwhile, the propitious hour for the installation having arrived, Sita Herself > prepared one of sand, and offered it worship. This is the Linga of Sri Ramanatha > in the temple. > > When Hanuman returned with a Linga, He found that it was too late. He was > angry and attempted to uproot the Ramalinga. But He failed. To pacify Him Sri > Rama directed that his Linga, the "Visvalinga", should also be set up and that > worship should first be offered to it. This is the second Linga under > worship in the temple. > > In the principal sanctum there is the Linga of Sri Ranganatha. This is the > one, which Sita made and Sri Rama sanctified. There is much delicate artistry > in many parts of the sanctum. The Vimana, of three storeys, contains images > of Hanuman, the Gandhamadhana Linga, and the Agastya Linga. The Linga of > Visvanatha (also spelt as Vishvanatha), which Hanuman brought, is enshrined in > another sanctum to the north. Worship is offered to it first. > > In yet another shrine there is an image of Visalakshi, the Consort of > Visvanatha, Ramanatha's Consort, Parvathavardhani, is enshrined in a sanctum to the > right of His. Usually, in Shiva temples, the Goddess is enshrined to the > left of the Lord. But here, as in Madurai, this location has not been followed. > > Behind the Sri Ramanatha shrine, and between the second and third prakaras, > there is a sanctum for Lord Vishnu as "Sethumadhava". Strictly speaking, the > name should be "Svetha Madhava". The first word is Sanskrit for "white". The > name derives from the fact that the image is of white marble. > > There are no less than twenty-two "thirthas" (also spelt as Teertha or > Tirtha), or bathing places, mainly within, but a few also outside, the temple. > According to time-honoured tradition, the pilgrim bathes first in Agni Tirtha > (also spelt Theertham), as the sea to the east of the temple is called (nearby > there is a Shankara Matha), and finally in the Kodi tirtha, which is within > the temple. The importance of bathing in these "thirthas" derives from the > tradition that Sri Krishna Himself did so. > > The Spathik linga pooja performed at 5.00 a.m is a sight to behold, an > experience where you could see Lord Shiva himself. > > The temple 264m east to west and 200m north to south, and with three > Prakaras, two big Gopuras and two more unfinished ones, faces east, a few metres > from the sea. It contains two Lingas under worship. There are innumerable other > shrines and twenty-two "Tirthas" (also spelt as Teerthas), or sacred bathing > places. > > At the main eastern entrance stands a huge Gopura of nine storeys and 38.4m > high. The outermost, or third, corridor, 196m long and 120.4 wide, is one of > the achievements of the Hindu artist down the ages. There are about four > thousand pillars, each 3.7m high. All are located on a platform 1.5m high. They > look like an orderly, petrified forest. > > What is truly remarkable, apart from the sheer artistry of it which has so > magnificently conquered problems of proportions, height and such like, is that > all these stones must have been transported here over long distances and > across the sea by a causeway. . How the huge stones could have been carried > across a turbulent sea is a question the answer to which proves that old Indian > engineers were quite advanced in technology. > > A huge Nandi, 6.7m long and 5m high, stands beyond the second Prakara. It is > made of 'Sudai', a material used for sculptures on Gopuras. On either side > of it there are portraits of two of the Nayaks, Visvanatha and Krishnappa. > > The western Gopura is smaller than the eastern, but still impressive, being > 24m high. On the northern and southern sides there are unfinished Gopuras. > > > > Uttarakosamangai : 16-km southwest of Ramanathapuram stands the renowed > Shiva temple of Uttarakosamangai. Manikkavachagar has sung of it. The Lord is > Mangaleshvara and the Goddess Mangalesvari. The temple has inspired many Tamil > works of devotion. So, of course, has the Ramanatha temple in Rameshwaram. > > There is a huge statue of Lord Nataraja Approx 5 feet in height and built > from a single green Emarald stone. As it could disintegrate due to any high > frequency sound vibrations it is covered in sandalwood paste for all days in a > year except one day when piligrims from all over the world form a serpentine > queue to have his darshan with the lord in all its splendour. > > Tiruppullani : Outside the island, there are three other sites traditionally > connected with Sri Rama's expedition to Sri Lanka. A big temple in > Tiruppullani commemorates the tradition that there the Lord obtained a bow and arrows > to use in the impending war from its presiding Deity and also that the Lord > of the Ocean who had refused to help Him finally submitted. > > Om Namo Shivaye > Vipin > > Note: For any friends planning to visit these temples: > > Accommodation is available at the moderate and economy class hotels, > devasthanam cottages and choultries in Rameshwaram. > > To Reach Rameshwaram > > Air : The nearest airport is at Madurai(a small town which can be reached by > air from any of the major cities in India), at a distance of 154-km. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2004 Report Share Posted May 3, 2004 Dearest Vipinji, Thank you SOOOOO much for your wonderful and enlightening temple chronicals! With brightest blessings and great thanks, Kari , vipin kannan <vipinendran> wrote: > Dear Friends -----thought I would write about these temples,It was my first visit and it was a wonderful spiritual experience. > > Rameshwaram (also spelt as Rameswaram) is a pilgrimage centre of nationwide importance, as Rama is said to have worshipped Shiva here on his way back from SriLanka. The temple is in the island of Rameshwaram, the Banares of the South, connected to the mainland by a bridge (The famous pamban bridge an architectural marvel ). The shiva linga here constitutes one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India. > > > The Rameshwaram pilgrimage has long been a tradition in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, and has passed into folklore. Many kings of old prided themselves on having planted columns of victory in Rameshwaram-Krishna III the Rashtrakuta, in the 10th century; the Hoysala, Vishnuvardhana, in the 12th century. > > Everything in and near Rameshwaram is traditionally connected with incidents in the "Ramayana". The pilgrimage is considered complete only after worship in the Sri Ramanatha temple but also after a bath in Dhanushkodi, a tip of the island where the Bay of Bengal, called the "Mahodadhi" in ancient times, joins the Indian Ocean, or Ratnakaram, its beautiful old name "Dhanushkodi", in Tamil the "end of the bow", takes its name from a tradition that Sri Rama, at the request of Vibishana, his friend, destroyed the bridge to Sri Lanka with the end of His bow. > > The temple of Sri Ramanatha, which has over the centuries grown into its present gigantic dimensions, stands on the eastern shore of an island, which is shaped like a conch, which Lord Vishnu bears in one of His hands. A magnificent railway bridge, over a kilometre long and constructed at the beginning of the twentieth century, connects it with the mainland. > > Since it was Sri Rama Himself who, in time honoured tradition, built the temple, it is held in particular reverence. After killing Ravana, He returned to India and, in Rameshwaram, offered worship to Lord Shiva to expiate the sin incurred in destroying him. Intending to set up a Linga, He directed Hanuman to bring one from Kailasa within a certain time. Hanuman was delayed. Meanwhile, the propitious hour for the installation having arrived, Sita Herself prepared one of sand, and offered it worship. This is the Linga of Sri Ramanatha in the temple. > > When Hanuman returned with a Linga, He found that it was too late. He was angry and attempted to uproot the Ramalinga. But He failed. To pacify Him Sri Rama directed that his Linga, the "Visvalinga", should also be set up and that worship should first be offered to it. This is the second Linga under worship in the temple. > > In the principal sanctum there is the Linga of Sri Ranganatha. This is the one, which Sita made and Sri Rama sanctified. There is much delicate artistry in many parts of the sanctum. The Vimana, of three storeys, contains images of Hanuman, the Gandhamadhana Linga, and the Agastya Linga. The Linga of Visvanatha (also spelt as Vishvanatha), which Hanuman brought, is enshrined in another sanctum to the north. Worship is offered to it first. > > In yet another shrine there is an image of Visalakshi, the Consort of Visvanatha, Ramanatha's Consort, Parvathavardhani, is enshrined in a sanctum to the right of His. Usually, in Shiva temples, the Goddess is enshrined to the left of the Lord. But here, as in Madurai, this location has not been followed. > > Behind the Sri Ramanatha shrine, and between the second and third prakaras, there is a sanctum for Lord Vishnu as "Sethumadhava". Strictly speaking, the name should be "Svetha Madhava". The first word is Sanskrit for "white". The name derives from the fact that the image is of white marble. > > There are no less than twenty-two "thirthas" (also spelt as Teertha or Tirtha), or bathing places, mainly within, but a few also outside, the temple. According to time- honoured tradition, the pilgrim bathes first in Agni Tirtha (also spelt Theertham), as the sea to the east of the temple is called (nearby there is a Shankara Matha), and finally in the Kodi tirtha, which is within the temple. The importance of bathing in these "thirthas" derives from the tradition that Sri Krishna Himself did so. > > The Spathik linga pooja performed at 5.00 a.m is a sight to behold, an experience where you could see Lord Shiva himself. > > The temple 264m east to west and 200m north to south, and with three Prakaras, two big Gopuras and two more unfinished ones, faces east, a few metres from the sea. It contains two Lingas under worship. There are innumerable other shrines and twenty-two "Tirthas" (also spelt as Teerthas), or sacred bathing places. > > At the main eastern entrance stands a huge Gopura of nine storeys and 38.4m high. The outermost, or third, corridor, 196m long and 120.4 wide, is one of the achievements of the Hindu artist down the ages. There are about four thousand pillars, each 3.7m high. All are located on a platform 1.5m high. They look like an orderly, petrified forest. > > What is truly remarkable, apart from the sheer artistry of it which has so magnificently conquered problems of proportions, height and such like, is that all these stones must have been transported here over long distances and across the sea by a causeway. . How the huge stones could have been carried across a turbulent sea is a question the answer to which proves that old Indian engineers were quite advanced in technology. > > A huge Nandi, 6.7m long and 5m high, stands beyond the second Prakara. It is made of 'Sudai', a material used for sculptures on Gopuras. On either side of it there are portraits of two of the Nayaks, Visvanatha and Krishnappa. > > The western Gopura is smaller than the eastern, but still impressive, being 24m high. On the northern and southern sides there are unfinished Gopuras. > > > > Uttarakosamangai : 16-km southwest of Ramanathapuram stands the renowed Shiva temple of Uttarakosamangai. Manikkavachagar has sung of it. The Lord is Mangaleshvara and the Goddess Mangalesvari. The temple has inspired many Tamil works of devotion. So, of course, has the Ramanatha temple in Rameshwaram. > > There is a huge statue of Lord Nataraja Approx 5 feet in height and built from a single green Emarald stone. As it could disintegrate due to any high frequency sound vibrations it is covered in sandalwood paste for all days in a year except one day when piligrims from all over the world form a serpentine queue to have his darshan with the lord in all its splendour. > > Tiruppullani : Outside the island, there are three other sites traditionally connected with Sri Rama's expedition to Sri Lanka. A big temple in Tiruppullani commemorates the tradition that there the Lord obtained a bow and arrows to use in the impending war from its presiding Deity and also that the Lord of the Ocean who had refused to help Him finally submitted. > > Om Namo Shivaye > Vipin > > Note: For any friends planning to visit these temples: > > Accommodation is available at the moderate and economy class hotels, devasthanam cottages and choultries in Rameshwaram. > > To Reach Rameshwaram > > Air : The nearest airport is at Madurai(a small town which can be reached by air from any of the major cities in India), at a distance of 154-km. > > Rail : Rameshwaram is well connected by trains from all the major cities of India. > > Road : State transport buses are available from the railway station to the various places in and around Rameshwaram. For local transportation taxis, auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws and tongas are available. Also city bus service is available in the island. > > Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at HotJobs > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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