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 This shrine is located at the extreme south eastern point
of the Indian peninsula. The sethu bridge was constructed to link
this land to Lanka for the Varnarams to reach Lanka. This island
temple resembles the Panchajanya (Vishnu's conch) and like the Tamil
letter 'OM'.
The jyotirlingam was worshipped by Lord Rama to atone the
sin of killing Ravana. Hanuman flew to bring the Linga from Kailasa,
for Lord Rama to wroship. As it was getting late, Rama worshipped
the Lingam that was made of sand by Sita Devi. This Lingam
worshipped by Lord Rama is known as Ramanathar. When Hanuman
returned he was disappointed that his Lord had not used the Lingam
that he had brought. Lord Rama pacified Hanuman & named this
Lingam Kasi Viswanathar.
Devotees have to worship Kasi Viswanathar before
worshipping Ramanathar. Rameswaram is famous for the many teerthams.
There are a total of 51 teerthams, 22 of them situated within the
temple. Pilgrimage is considered complete with a bath in the Agni
teertham. These waters are considered to have medicinal qualities.
It is the custom to worship at Dhanushkodi before going to
Rameshwaram. Several spots in this island are associated with Lord
Rama. The Kothandarama temple stands at the spot where Vibeeshanan
sought refuge to Rama.
The
temple is situated on the eastern coast. It is a huge structure with
three parakarams and several mandapams with mini shrines to other
deities. There is a huge Anjaneya in a mini shrine. There is a huge
Nandi measuring 12 feet in length and 9 feet in height., with the
idols of Viswanatha Naicker and Krishnama Naicker. There are shrines
for Ganapathi and Subramanya. To the right of the Lord's shrine is
the shrine for Parvathi. To its North is the Kasi Viswanathar's
shrine.
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