HINDU TEMPLES OF INDIA: RAMESWARAM

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

THEERTHAMS (WELLS) OF RAMESHWARAM

Chakra Tīrtham Tirupullāni(Darbhaśayanam) Large Pond
Vetāla Varada Tīrtham south of Chakra Tirtham of Tirupullani
Pāpa Vināśa Tīrtham Gandhamādhana
Sītā Kuṇḍam near Thangachimadam Not accessible due to new habitation.
Maṅgala Tīrtham near Ekānta Rāma Temple Large Pond
Amṛta Vāpī near Ekānta Rāma Temple Well
Brahma Kuṇḍam
Hanūmān Kuṇḍam North of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Large Pond
Agastya Tīrtham North-east of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Small Pond
Lakṣmaṇa Tīrtham West of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple beside the highway Large Pond
Jaḍa Tīrtham On the way to Dhanushkodi Large Pond
Lakṣmī Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Agni Tīrtham Beach east of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Sea
Cakra Tīrtham of Ramanathaswamy Temple Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Śiva Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Śaṅkha Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Yamunā Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Gaṅgā Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Gayā Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Koṭi Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Sādhyāmṛta Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Mānasā Tīrtham
Dhanuṣkoḍī Tīrtham Dhanushkodi Sea
Nāga Tīrtham North-east of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Small Pond
Nakula Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana Small Pond
Sahadeva Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana Small Pond
Draupadī Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana Small Pond
Bhīma Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana Small Pond
Arjuna Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana Small Pond
Jāmbava Tīrtham Well
Aṅgada Tīrtham Well
Sugrīva Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana Large Pond
Rāma Tīrtham West of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple beside the highway Large Pond
Sītā Tīrtham West of Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple beside the highway Small Pond
Ṛṇa Vimocana Tīrtham near Ekaanta Rama Temple Large Pond
Villundi Tīrtham near Thangachimadam Well In the middle of the ocean, a few metres away from the beach
Kapi Tīrtham Paamban
Bhairava Tīrtham Paamban
Amṛta Tīrtham On the way to Gandhamadana
Dharma Tīrtham
Gandhamādana Tīrtham
Pancha Pandava Tirtham near Ekaanta Rama Temple
Vaali Tirtham
Gaja Tirtham
Kumuda Tirtham
Saarada Tirtham
Parasurama Tirtham
Sarva Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Candra Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Sūrya Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Brahmahatti Vimochana Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Mādhava Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Nala Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Nīla Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Gavaya Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Gavākṣa Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Gandhamādana Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Sāvitrī Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Sarasvatī Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well
Gāyatrī Tīrtham Inside Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple Well

Sunday, January 4, 2009

RAMESHWARAM

Situated on an island off the Sethu coast of Rameswaram in Ramanathpuram district, Tamil Nadu.

Is an important pilgrimage site for the followers of Hinduism. It is believed that a visit to this temple washes away one`s sins and brings salvation (moksha).

Being situated in Rameshwaram, the Ramanathaswamy Mandir is popularly known as the Rameshwaram Temple.

The construction of this temple began in the 12th century; nonetheless it was completed much later, during the reign of various rulers.

Rameshwaram Temple is famous for embracing one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (lingam of light) of Lord Shiva. The temple is also accredited for being the southern most `jyotirlinga` of India.

The Lingam of Ramanathaswamy is the presiding deity of Rameswaram Temple. The religious significance of this shrine has made it, one of the most visited temples of India.

In the inner section of the Ramalingeshwara, Ramalingam and Vishvalingam are placed side by side. Preserving the words of Lord Rama, Vishvalingam is worshipped before Ramalingam. Maha Shivarathri, Thirukalyanam, Mahalaya Amavasai and Thai Amavasai are the major festivals that are celebrated with gusto and fervor.

Ramanathaswamy Temple is closely linked with the great epic Ramayana. Legend has it that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here, on his victorious return from Sri Lanka. As the legend goes, Sages (Rishis) counseled Lord Rama (along with Sita and Lakshmana) to install and worship the `Shivalingam` at this place, to compensate the sin of Brahmahatya (killing of a Brahmin). Lord Rama approved the idea and fixed a favorable time for the installation of Shivalingam. He sent Lord Hanuman (Anjaneya) to bring a `lingam` from Mount Kailash. Lord Hanuman could not return in time and it was getting late. Apprehending the situation, Sita herself made a `linga` of sand and Lord Rama installed the same. When Hanuman came back with the `linga`, the formal procedures of installation were over. Lord Rama consoled the disappointed Hanuman and installed his lingam (Visvalingam) next to Ramalinga. He enhanced the sanctity of lingam by ordaining that the rites would be made first to the Visvalingam.

It has twenty two wells in its complex, it being the main attraction of this temple.The wells have water of different taste, temperature, salinity and have curative properties as well. It is said that these wells were made by Lord Rama himself, when he fired arrows in the sand.

Stretched over a vast area of 15 acres, Rameswaram Temple is the typical specimen of Dravidian style of architecture with skyscraping gopurams (spires).

It is acknowledged for having the largest temple hallway in India. This pillared corridor extends to 4000 feet in length, embracing more than 4000 pillars. Erected on a raised plinth, granite pillars are intricately carved with beautiful images. A hard fact about this corridor reveals that the rock doesn`t belong to the island and it was imported from somewhere across the sea.

Encompassing nine levels, the eastern Rajgopuram (spire) soars to the height of 126 feet. However, the western `gopuram` is not as high as the eastern `gopuram`. The temple comprises numerous `mandaps` having small shrines, dedicated to other deities. The colossal image of Nandi (Lord Shiva`s Bull) captures the attention, due to its sheer size. It measures 12 feet in its length and 9 feet in its height. High fortifications encircle the temple, making a rectangle along with big pyramidal `gopura` doorways on every side.

WHY MUST YOU VISIT TEMPLES, SCIENTIFIC REASON

WHY VISIT TEMPLES ? (Scientific Reason)
There are thousands of temples all over India in different size, shape and locations but not all of them are considered to be built the Vedic way. Generally, a temple should be located at a place where earth's magnetic wave path passes through densely. It can be in the outskirts of a town/village or city, or in middle of the dwelling place, or on a hilltop. The essence of visiting a temple is discussed here.

Now, these temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust. The main idol is placed in the core center of the temple, known as "*Garbhagriha*" or *Moolasthanam*. In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed. This *Moolasthanam* is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be maximum. We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol. What are they really? No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the *shlokas*. The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy. Scientifically, it is the positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life.

Further, the Sanctum is closed on three sides. This increases the effect of all energies. The lamp that is lit radiates heat energy and also provides light inside the sanctum to the priests or *poojaris* performing the pooja. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers takes a worshipper into trance, thus not letting his mind waver. When done in groups, this helps people forget personal problems for a while and relieve their stress. The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out the chemical energy further aiding in a different good aura. The effect of all these energies is supplemented by the positive energy from the idol, the copper plates and utensils in the *Moolasthan*am / *Garbagraham*. *Theertham*, the “holy” water used during the pooja to wash the idol is not
plain water cleaning the dust off an idol. It is a concoction of Cardamom,*Karpura* (Benzoin), zaffron / saffron, *Tulsi* (Holy Basil), Clove, etc...Washing the idol is to charge the water with the magnetic radiations thus increasing its medicinal values. Three spoons of this holy water is distributed to devotees. Again, this water is mainly a source of magneto-therapy. Besides, the clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & *Tulsi* leafs protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and *Pachha Karpuram* (benzoin), act as mouth fresheners. It is proved that *Theertham* is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized. Hence it is given as *prasadam* to the devotees. This way, one can claim to remain healthy by regularly visiting the Temples. This is why our elders used to suggest us to offer prayers at the temple so that you will be cured of many ailments. They were not always superstitious. Yes, in a few cases they did go overboard when due to ignorance they hoped many serious diseases could be cured at temples by deities. When people go to a temple for the *Deepaaraadhana*, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the assemblages passes on the energy to all. This also explains why men are not allowed to wear shirts at a few temples and women are requested to wear more ornaments during temple visits. It is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed by the women. Also, it is a practice to leave newly purchased jewels at an idol’s feet and then wear them with the idol’s blessings. This act is now justified after reading this article. This act of “seeking divine blessings” before using any new article, like books or pens or automobiles may have stemmed from this through mere observation.

Energy lost in a day’s work is regained through a temple visit and one is refreshed slightly. The positive energy that is spread out in the entire temple and especially around where the main idol is placed, are simply absorbed by one's body and mind. Did you know, every Vaishnava(Vishnu devotees), “must” visit a Vishnu temple twice every day in their location. Our practices are NOT some hard and fast rules framed by 1 man and his followers or God’s words in somebody’s dreams. All the rituals, all the practices are, in reality, well researched, studied and scientifically backed thesis which form the ways of nature to lead a good healthy life.

The scientific and research part of the practices are well camouflaged as “elder’s instructions” or “granny’s teaching’s” which should be obeyed as a mark of respect so as to once again, avoid stress to the mediocre brains.

HINDU TEMPLES OF INDIA

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

THEERTHAMS (WELLS) OF RAMESHWARAM

Sunday, January 4, 2009

RAMESHWARAM

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WHY MUST YOU VISIT TEMPLES, SCIENTIFIC REASON

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