Rameswaram

My last visit to Rameswaram Temple was on 8th January 2020. My wife and two of her cousins accompanied me for the whole trip.

Rameswaram can be reached by Train or by any mode of Road transport. The nearest airport is Madurai.

We started from Chennai Egmore on 7th January 2020 at 5.50 PM by Rameswaram express and reached Rameswaram at 4.30 AM the next day. We went to Kanchi Sankara Mutt in Rameswaram where we had booked our stay. There are many lodges and different mutts in Rameswaram where one can stay comfortably. After refreshing oursleves we did Sankalpam for Agni theertham snanam. (In the beginning of any ritual, one has to say Sankalpam – a formulaic utterance where you tell the devatas where and when in the Universe the ritual is being conducted, the purpose of the ritual, etc,.). The Sastrigal / Pandit will charge some amount for helping us in reciting the Sankalpam. It is better to finalise the fees before the start of Sankalpam or else you may be taken for a ride. Agni theertham is the beach East of Ramanathaswamy temple Rameswaram. The Agni theertham sea is normally very calm but for the first time I saw waves hitting the Shore

After our bath in the Agni theertham we went for the 22 thertham snanam inside the temple. The temple authorities charge Rs 25/- per person for the 22 theertham bath and the temple authorities have also ensured that we can follow the theerthams in order by good arrow marks. The water from the 22 wells will be sprinkled on us by the person nominated in each well. However we had engaged separate guide for the purpose and he had ensured that we move fast and also had 1/4th bucket of sacred water bath in each well.

After our bath we went to our room for dress changing . we had our breakfast and proceeded for Dharshan of Lord Ramanathasawamy.

As per legend Lord Rama after defeating Ravana in Srilanka brought back Seetha to Rameswaram. Before proceeding to Ayodhya he wanted to worship Lord shiva and sent Lord Anjeneya (Hanuman) to fetch Shiva Linga. As Anjenaya was taking a very long time to return back Lord Rama created Shivalinga from the sand available there and started worshipping. Lord Anjeneya on his return with Shivalinga got angry after seeing Lord Rama worshipping another shivalinga. Seeing his anger Lord Rama requested Anjeneya to remove the shivalinga made by him (Lord Rama) and place the Shivalinga brought my him. Lord Anjeneya was not able to shift the Shivalinga created by Lord Rama and repented for his anger and ego. Lord Rama than told him that all worshippers who worship the shivalinga created by him will do it only after worshipping the Shivalinga brought by Anjeneya.

When we went for dharshan we saw very heavy rush, mainly because of Iyyappa season and Melmaruvathur sakthi devotees. There was special sheekra Dharshan tickets of Rs 100/- amd Rs 200/-. As we had abundant time we went through the general dharshan queue and had a very good dharshan of both the Lord shivas and also ambal. We also had very good parikrama of the temple.

After our dharshan we had our lunch. We had requested for lunch in the neighbouring Telugu Mutt. the food was too chilly. Good number of restaurants are available in Rameswaram. Few mutts also provide free lunch.

After our lunch we proceeded to Ramnathapuram, Devipatinam Thirupulani and utharakosamangai. I am writing seperate posts for the others. The auto charge from Sankara mutt to both Station and bus stand is same Rs 100/-. Frequent buses also operate from both the places to the temple.

The other places of impotance in and around Rameswaram is Ramar Padham, Vibishnar Patabhishegam temple, Pamban bridge and Dhanuskodi.

Rameswaram is also a place where people perform thilla homam. Thilla homam is mainly performed to get rid of evil curses of our ancestors. the rates vary from Rs 15000/- to 30000/- depending on the bargaining power of both the sastrigals and devotees. I strongly believe that our forefather will not curse us. The curse comes mainly on account of anger of elders by the acts and omissions of younger generations.