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Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram

Tamil Nadu, India

Rameshwaram, a small island town in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus and holds immense significance in the epic Ramayana, particularly in relation to Lord Hanuman's heroic deeds. This holy place is believed to be the spot where Lord Rama built a bridge across the sea to reach Lanka and rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. The town's connection to Hanuman is profound and multifaceted. One of the most famous stories associated with Rameshwaram and Hanuman is the bringing of the Sanjeevani mountain. During the war with Ravana, Lakshmana, Rama's brother, was gravely wounded. The only cure was a herb found on the Sanjeevani mountain in the Himalayas. Hanuman, with his immense strength and devotion, flew to the Himalayas to fetch this life-saving herb. Unable to identify the specific herb, Hanuman, in a display of his extraordinary power, uprooted the entire mountain and carried it back to Lanka. It's believed that on his return journey, a piece of the mountain fell at Rameshwaram, further sanctifying this already holy place. Rameshwaram is home to the Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to legend, Lord Rama worshipped Shiva here to cleanse himself of the sin of killing Ravana, who was a Brahmin. The temple's connection to both Rama and Shiva makes it a unique confluence of Vaishnavism and Shaivism. The town is also famous for its twenty-two holy wells, each with its own mythological significance. It's believed that Hanuman created these wells by striking the ground with his mace to quench Rama's thirst after the war. Another significant site is the Gandhamadana Parvatham, a hillock with a temple dedicated to Hanuman. It's here that footprints believed to be of Lord Rama are found, and from where he is said to have watched the construction of the bridge to Lanka. The Kothandaramaswamy Temple, located at the southeastern tip of the island, is where Vibhishana, Ravana's brother, is believed to have surrendered to Rama. This temple survived the 1964 cyclone that submerged many parts of Dhanushkodi, adding to its mystical aura. Rameshwaram's geography, with its proximity to Sri Lanka, lends credence to the events described in the Ramayana. The Adam's Bridge, also known as Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu, is a chain of limestone shoals between Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka. This natural formation is believed by many to be the remains of the bridge built by Rama's army to cross over to Lanka. Today, Rameshwaram continues to be a major pilgrimage center, attracting millions of devotees each year. The town's rich mythology, ancient temples, and natural beauty make it a place where history, legend, and spirituality converge. For devotees of Hanuman, it serves as a powerful reminder of his unwavering devotion to Lord Rama and his superhuman feats in service of his lord.

Spiritual Significance

  • Part of the route Hanuman took while carrying the Sanjeevani mountain
  • Location where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva
  • Site where the bridge to Lanka was constructed
  • Home to numerous sacred water bodies

Visitor Information

Best Time to Visit: October to April, avoiding the monsoon season

How to Reach: Rameshwaram has its own railway station and is well-connected by road.