Friday 18 September 2020

Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple / Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram Jyotir Linga Temple / Rameshwaram Temple / அருள்மிகு இராமநாதசுவாமி திருக்கோவில், Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 252nd Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and 8th sthalam of Pandya Nadu. This is one of the Jyotirlinga Kshetram. This place was also called as Sethu.


As per Sekkizhar, Thirugnanasambandar after curing the decease of Pandya King, he started his pilgrimage to the Shiva Temples of Pandya Nadu along with the Pandya King NindraSeer Nedumaran alias Sundara Pandyan, his Queen Mangayarkarasi and Minister Kulachiraiyar. In Sundarar Puranam Sekkizhar mentions that Sundarar and Cheraman Peruman worshiped Sri Ramanathaswamy and sung hymns and from there he has sung Sri Lanka Thiruketheeswarar Also. But the hymn is missing.

    சேதுவின்கண் செங்கண் மால்பூசை செய்து
        சிவபெருமான் தனைப் பாடிப் பணிந்து போந்து
    காதலுடன் அந்நகரில் இனிது மேவிக்
        கண்ணுதலான் திருத்தொண்டர் ஆனார்க்கு எல்லாம்
    கோதுஇல் புகழ்ப் பாண்டிமாதேவியார் மெய்க்
        குலச்சிறையார் குறைவு அறுத்துப் போற்றிச் செல்ல
    நாதர்தமை நாள்தோறும் வணங்கி ஏத்தி
        நளிர்வேலைக் கரையில் நயந்து இருந்தார் அன்றே
......... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்
    மன்னும் இராமேச்சரத்து மாமணியை முன் வணங்கிப்
    பன்னுதமிழ்த் தொடை சாத்திப் பயில்கின்றார் பாம்பு அணிந்த
    சென்னியார் மாதோட்டத் திருகேதீச்சரம் சார்ந்து
    சொல்மலர் மாலைகள் சாத்தித் தூரத்தே தொழுதமர்ந்தார்
......... சுந்தரர் புராணம்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal and sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. As per Sekkizhar Thirunavukkarasar worshiped Sri Rameswarar after worshiping of Lord Shiva of Thirupuvanam. Sundarar’s hymns are not traceable.  

    அலைவளர் தண்மதி யோடய லேஅடக் கிஉமை
    முலைவளர்பாக முயங்கவல்ல முதல்வன்முனி
    இலைவளர் தாழைகள் விம்முகானல் இராமேச்சுரம்
    தலைவளர் கோலநன் மாலையன் தானிருந் தாட்சியே
.... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
    பாசமும் கழிக்க கில்லா அரக்கரைப் படுத்துத் தக்க
    வாசமிக் கலர்கள் கொண்டு மதியினால் மால் செய் கோயில்
    நேசமிக் கன்பி னாலே நினைமி னீர் நின்று நாளும்
    நேசமிக் கான் இருந்த திரு இரா மேச்சு ரம்மே
.... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்
                                            -“சித்தாய்ந்து
    நாம் ஈசராகும் நலம்தரும் என்று உம்பர்தொழும்
    ராமீசம் வாழ் சீவரத்தினமே
....... திரு அருட்பா
   வாரணியும் இருகொங்கை மாதர் மகிழ் கங்கைபுகழ்
    வளமருவு தேவை அரசே!
   வரை ராஜனுக்(கு) இரு கண் மணியாய் உதித்தமலை
   வளர் காதலிப் பெண் உமையே!
....... தாயுமானவர் பாடல்
   தாள் நெடிய விடைமுனிந்து, கயிலை முக்கண்
    தாதையொடும் விளையாடித் தன்பால் அன்பர்
    மாண்நிலவு மனத்தறி நின்(று) உலவும் தெய்வ
    வாரணத்தை நினத்திறைஞ்சி வழுத்தல் செய்வாம்
........ சேது புராணம்

The 15th Century Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple.

    மேகர உக்ர பரி தான் ஏறிவெற்றிபுனை
        வீராகுறச் சிறுமி                                          மணவாளா
    ஞான பரற்(குஇனிய வேதாக மப்பொருளை
        நாணாது உரைக்கும் ஒரு                             பெரியோனே
    நாராயணற்கு மருகாவீறு பெற்றிலகு
        ரமேச்சு ரத்திலுறை                                       பெருமாளே

Moolavar  : Sri Ramanatheswarar
Consort    : Sri Parvathavarthini


Some of the important features of this temple are...
The moolavar is of bana lingam (1) about 2 feet height. On the head  a five headed hood Nagam like umbrella. It was believed that the sanctum was constructed ( from one of the epigraph ) during 1414 by the Sri Lankan king Pararaajaseka with the stones brought from Thirukonamalai ).

In Artha mandapam, Abhisheka platform and Upachara medai of 36 feet square. Vinayagar on the left and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar at the entrance of sanctum. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of moolavar sannadhi with korai tooth. 

Maha mandapam is in front of artha mandapam and people used to worship from her. There are two Shiva Lingas  on either side of maha mandapam.

On north west Anjaneyar and on southwest Ramar, Seetha and Lakshmana, Anjaneyar Urchavars in cheppu/ copper are there.

Moolavar Vimanam is of two tiers with stucco images. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar,  Brahma and Durgai. Chandikeswarar is on the opposite to Durgai.

Urchavar Somaskandar (2a) is in a separate sannadhi on the south side of Chandikeswarar with karuvarai and artha mandapam. Somaskandar and  Amman are in a separate pedam in a separate sannadhi on the south side to sanctum sanctorum.

On the back of urchavar sannadhi on the northwest  Seetha, Ramar and Lakshmanan are in a separate mandapam.

Kasi Viswanathar sannadhi (2) is on the north side of Sri Ramanathaswamy sannadhi. It was believed that the moolavar was brought from Kasi. Pooja is conducted to Kasi Viswanathar first and latter to Sri Ramanathaswamy. The sannadhi is like a separate temple with artha mandapam and single tier vimanam and stucco images.

The corridor Around Sri Ramanathaswamy and Sri Kasi Viswanathar sannadhi is called as First Prakaram. In the 1st prakaram sannadhi for, Usha Suryan and Prathyusha (3), Sahasra Linga(4), Cheppu  and stone thirumeni of 63 Nayanmar ( 5a & 5b), Sekkizhar, Saraswathy(6) on  Pathrapedam, Vinayagar (7), Sankaranarayanar(8) ( Shiva in half and Thirumal other half ), Arthanareeswarar (9) with their vahanam Rishabam and simham, Chandrasekar & Gowri (10) in separate pedam,  Sri Valli Devasena sametha Murugan(11), Gajalakshmi (12), 11 Lingams of Ekatha rudhras (13) and Visalakshi Amman ( Kasi Visalakshi (14) is in a separate temple like sannadhi with artha mandapam and Vimanam), Saba mandapam (15), Jyotirlinga (16),  Krithika, Chandran, Rohini (17).

Rishaba mandapam, Dwajasthambam and balipeedam (18 & 19) are at the entrance of first corridor. Rishabam is of little big (22 feet length, 12 feet width and 17 feet high ) made of stucco /sudhai. Viswanathar and Krishnappa Nayak reliefs are on the mandapa pillar. The Nandhi has Urchavar, Vahana and moortham like Thirumazhapadi. Navagrahas (20) are on the north side of Rishaba mandapam.

Maha Ganapathy (21) sannadhi sanctum sanctorum  with a vimanam in on the south side. Devi is on the lap of Sri Vinayagar.  Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar (22) is on the north side. The construction is similar Sri Vinayagar Sannadhi.

Parvathavarthini Amman sannadhi (23) is of separate temple type with Sanctum, Artha mandapam, Maha mandapam and corridor. The vimanam is of single tier type with stucco images. Amman temple is on the right of Moolavar temple. Amman is in standing posture on a padma peetam and Sri Chakram is also installed. Sandikeswari is on the north side facing south. In Amman temple corridor Santhana and Sowbagya Ganapathi (24),  Saptamatrikas (25)  ( Brahmi, Maheswari, Kowmari, Vaishnavi, Vaaraki, Indrani and Samundi.), Pallikonda Perumal (26) and  Palliyarai (27). Ashta Lakshmis (27a) are at the passage from first prakaram.

Sukravara mandapam (28) is out side Parvatha Vardhini Amman Temple. The mandapam has 32 pillars with  reliefs. On the south corner Sri Kalyanasundareswarar,  Suryan are facing east Brahma and Vishnu are facing north. On the north west Ashtalakshmi (27a) in a single stone slab. In the center of the mandapam Rishabam and Dwajasthambam on a separate platform.

Navasakthi mandapam (29)  is on the way to second corridor from Sukravara mandapam. Between this and Rishaba mandapam  is the Shiva Theertham (30).

The second corridor  is 352 feet on east to west direction and 244 feet on south to North with a width is 16 feet. Sannadhi for Vinayagar (31), Madappalli (32), Karuvoolam (33), Theerthams. Sethu madhavar Sannadhi (34) is between 2nd and 3rd corridors. The sannadhi has Karuvarai, Artha mandapam and Maha mandapam and Vimanam. Vishnu sannadhis (35) on the North east direction. Sethumadhavar Sannadhi and Vishnu sannadhi  has an entrance  of sobhana type ( with Steps).

The third corridor is called  as Chokkattan mandapam. This has  1212 pillars  of 22 feet & 7.5 inches. The length is 649 feet  on east west direction and 395 feet on south to north direction with 15 feet width.  The platform height on both side is 5 feet. When we come out of Sri Ramanatha Swamy sannidhi in the third prakaram ceiling 12 Rasis with their Devadhas  in 32 squares. Vahana rooms (36),  Stucco images of Sethupathi and Veerabhadra (37)  from third corridor. Kothandaramar sannadhi (38) like a separate temple with sanctum sanctorum, Artha mandapam and vimanam, stucco images of Sri Ramalinga Pradistai (39)– Ramar, Seetha and Lakshmana, Sugriva, Vibeesnar.

Natarajar Sannadhi (40) is on the third corridor with sanctum, Artha mandapam and maha mandapam. On the east Anuppu mandapam, has stucco images  and paintings  of Shiva’s dances. Mahalakshmi sannadhi (42), Anjaneyar sannadi, Sethupathi mandapam (41), Kalyana mandapam (44).

The east Rajagopuram(45) is of 126 feet with 9 tiers & 9 kalasams. This construction was started during 1629 CE by Thalavai Sethupathi and completed in 1904 CE by Nattukottai nagarathar A.L.A.R family.

The  West Rajagopuram (46) is of very old construction with full of stone during 1434 CE and the height is 78 feet with 5 tiers. Vinayagar (21)and Sri Subramaniar sannadhi (22) are the front.

Under construction are Urchavar Kalyana mandapam (49)  at the south west corner, South side (48) and North side (47) 5 tier Rajagopuras.

DETAILS OF THE MAP

SL NO

DESCRIPTION

SL NO

DESCRIPTION

1

Sri Ramanathaswamy Sannadhi

31

Pillayar Sannadhi

2

Sri Kasi Viswanathar Sannadhi

32

Madapallai

2a

Somaskandhar Sannadhi

33

Karuvulam

3

Suryan Usha Prathyusa

34

Sethumadhavar sannadhi

4

Sahasra Lingam

35

Vishnu sannadhi

5a

63var ( cheppu )

36

Vahana mandapangal

5b

63var ( Stones )

37

Sethupathy and veerapathirar

6

Saraswathy

38

Kothandaramar sannadhi

7

Vinayagar

39

Sri Ramalinga Prathistai

8

Sankaranarayanar

40

Natarajar Sannadhi

9

Arthanareeswarar

41

Sethupathi Mandapam

10

Chandrasekar, Gowri, Pitchadanar

42

Mahalakshmi

11

Sri Murugan with Valli Devasena

43

Devasthanam Office

12

Gajalakshmi

44

Kalyana Mandapam

13

Eka sathrar – 11 lingas

45

East Rajagopuram

14

Visalakshi Amman sannadhi

46

West Rajagopuram

15

Natarajar  & Ambalavanar saandhi

47

North Rajagopuram

15a

Ambalavanar  Sannadhi

48

South Rajagopuram

16

Jyothi Lingam

49

Urchavar Kalyana mandapam

17

Krithika Chandran & Rohini

50

Devotees resting place

18

Nandhi mandapam with Palipedam & Dwajasthambam

19

Sudhai nandhi

20

Navagrahas

21

Mahaganapathy

22

Subramaniyar  Sannadhi

23

Parvathavardhini Amman Sannadhi

24

Santhana & Sowbakyavaganapathy 

25

Sabtha mathakkal

26

Pallikonda Perumal

27

Palliyarai

27a

Ashta Lakshmis

28

Sukkiravara mandapam

29

Navasakthi Mandapam

30

Siva Theertham



HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Even-though Thirugnanasambandar and Appar Visited this temple during 7th Century and was ruled by the Pandyas and Chozhas, till 10th Century this temple was in a temporary structure.It is believed that some of the sannadhis are constructed during Parantaka and Rajaraja Chozha during 10th and 11th Century.

Sri Lanka King Parakramabahu ( 1153 – 1186 CE ) was believed to be built the main sannadhis which includes Moolavar, Parvathavarthini Ambal, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi Sannadhi and the first prakara during the end of 12th Century. Harihara-II of Vijayanagara dynasty started the 2nd Corridor but could not be completed, but the same was completed by Thirumalai Sethupathi.  Udayan Sethupathi with the help of Sri Lankan Tamil King Pararajasekaraya Chakravarthy in 1414CE, the sanctum sanctorum was reconstructed and the required stones are brought from Trincomalee. The Stucco Rishabam of 17 feet high and 12 feet width was constructed by Chinna Udaiyan Kattathevar. Palliyarai, front mandapa and Ambal sannadhi are constructed by  Ravi Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathi.  He also  started the outer most prakara in 1722 CE and the same was completed Challa Muthu Raghunatha Sethupathi and Muthu Ramalinga Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathi.

Between 1897 to 1904 the A.L.A.R family of Devakottai completed the construction of eastern 9 tiers of 126 feet high Rajagopuram. They also renovated the sanctum sanctorum and the inner prakaram between 1907 to 1925. During the renovation flooring was replaced with granite stones.

The front Sethupathi mandapa was built by Ramanatha Sethupathi, a descendent of Ramnad Raja dynasty with his own fund of Rs 275000.00, which was started in 1969 and completed in 1974. Kumbhabhishekam were conducted on  1925, on 27th Feb 1947, 05th Feb 1975, 05th Feb 2001, 05th Feb 2007 and 20th Jan 2016 ( The South Rajagopuram was Constructed and consecrated ).

Viswanatha Nayakar  Veerappa Nayaka Ayyan 22nd year reign inscription ( AR 97 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -382 ) records the gift of 2 veli Land to this temple by Pellappa Nayakar

The 1578 CE inscription ( AR 98 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -383 ) records the endowment of Pooja at this temple by Pandaran Narakar ayyan and Mudaliyar ayyan  for which  700 pon and in addition to this anything which received as kanikkai like, cow, Horse, elephant etc to be used for the pooja. This was received by Ramachandra Mudaliyar and Ramayana Battar.  This should be inscribed at the Rajagopuram entrance of Madurai Chokkanathar Temple. And The pooja prasadam of Rice, Sandal paste,  Rudra abhisheka sudhanthiran ( wage/fees to archakar .?) was handed over to Viswanatha Nayak Veerappa Nayaka Ayyan Mudaliyar  at Madurai.

The recorded Inscription details are....
Sri Madhu Viswanatha Nayakkar  Veerappa Nayakkar Ayyan 22nd year reign inscription ( AR 97 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -382 ) records the gift of 2 veli Land at Chozhamandalam Peththannapuram, to this temple by Pellappa Nayakar for the Kuppeechuram Thippa Nayagi’s pooja

The 1598 CE year inscription  ( saka 1520 )( AR 99 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -384 ) is in the form of a song records the  construction of a mandapam by Ramanathan (?), -  which was constructed by Rama  to get rid of the sin caused by killing Langesan”.

The 1608 CE year inscription  ( saka 1530 )( AR100 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -385 ) is in the form of a song records the gift to the Maha Vishnu Sannadhi.

Another inscription ska 1390 ie 1468 CE records the installation of dwajasthambam in front of  Parvatha Vardhini Amman Temple.

Raja Sethupathy Kaththa Devar’s 29th year reign  inscriptions ( AR101 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -386 ), records that his son Koothan alias Sethupathi Kaththa Devar constructed the 1st prakara thiru nada maligai  and Aruda mandapam.

At Chidambareswara Sannadhi Veera Pandiya period inscription ( AR104 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -389 ) records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamps  for which the ulakku ghee to be supplied... the inscription is damaged in many places.

Pandya King Ko Chadaya varman ...Pandya devar’s 15th year reign inscription ( AR104 A of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -390 ) records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which ghee of one nazhi... the inscription is damaged in many places.

The inscription is on the Anjaneyar Sannadhi. Sethupathi katha Devar’s 16th year reign inscription ( AR105 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -391 ) records that his son Thalavai Devan Kulasekaran alias Sethupathi katha Devar  built a mandapa used during celebration/ brahmotsavam for Urchavars.


Sethupathi Mandapam with Sethupathi's images 

LEGENDS
As per the legend Rama after the wants to worship Lord Shiva at Rameswaram. So Rama asked vayuputhra Anjaneyar to bring a Shiva linga from Kasi. Since it was delayed Seeta made a Shiva Linga out of sand, Rama worshiped the same. Then he installed the Shiva Linga on the north side of the Sand Linga, which Anjaneyar brought from Kasi. At Rameswaram pooja will begin from this Kasi Viswanatha Lingam.

In another Legend  Maha Lakshmi, after leaving Maha Vishnu came to this Bhoolok and was brought up by the Pandya King Guna Nidhi. Maha Vishnu after taking the Andhanar form married Maha Lakshmi, called Sethumadhavar. The worship of Rameswaram will be fulfilled  only after worshiping Sethumadhavar.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from Regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on 10 days Maha Shivaratri festival ( Feb – March ), 10 days Vasanthotsavam in Vaikasi ( May – June ),  Ramalinga Prathistai  Ani ( May – June ), 17 days Thirukalyanam ( July – Aug ), 10 days Navratri festival in Puratasi ( Sep – Oct ), 6 days Kanda Sashti in Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), 10 days Arudra Darshan in Margazhi ( Dec – Jan )

TEMPLE TIMINGS :
The temple will be kept open for the devotees from 5 A.M to 9 P.M(except between 1 P.M and 3 P.M). The poojas are performed six times a day in this temple.

CONTACT DETAILS :
E-Mail ID : lordramnath2012@gmail.com
The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer, 
Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - 623526. Ramanathapuram District.  
Phone No. : 04573 – 221223, Fax and Computer Section No. : 04573 - 223230
 
HOW TO REACH :
Train facility is available from  Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Thanjavur and other important cities. ( Train nos 755, 2790, 751, 0689, 6734, 753 from Madurai and 6713 & 6101 from Chennai ).
Bus facility is available from Madurai, Kanyakumari, Chennai and Trichy. It is also connected to Pondicherry and Thanjavur via Madurai.
The temple is 59 KM from Ramanathapuram, 157 KM from Devakottai, 188 KM from Madurai, 230 KM from Trichy, 560 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station is Rameswaram

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE








Agasthiyar Temple
Agni Theertham
Thirukkalyana mandapam


Agni Theertham Entrance
Agni Theertham
A Vinayagar Sannadhi in North east corner street
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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