ART-0523 Rameshwaram: Where Lord Rama Built the Bridge to Lanka

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Rameshwaram is one of the four holy dhamas (Teachers’ Book, page 72). It is sacred to worshippers of both Shiva and Rama.

Rameshwaram is one of the four dhamas or kingdoms of God. This holy place is known for one of the most venerated temples – Shri Ramanathaswamy Temple.

This temple was started by Lord Rama. On his return after the battle of Lanka, Rama wanted to install a Shiva-linga at Rameshwaram to absolve himself of the sin of vanquishing Ravana. Rama sent his greatest devotee, Hanuman, to get the linga. The auspicious time for the installation neared, but Hanuman was late. Rama’s wife, Sita made a linga out of sand. This linga was then installed by Rama and is known as “Rama-linga”.

Shortly afterwards, Hanuman returned with the Shiva-linga from Kailash. He was disappointed to find a linga already installed. Rama told Hanuman that he could remove the linga made by Sita and install the one he brought in its place. Hanuman took hold of the linga with his hands but could not move it. The linga still has the marks of Hanuman’s tail on it. To pacify Hanuman, Rama had the linga that the monkey-general had himself brought, the Vishnu Linga, installed alongside the Rama Linga, the one made by Sita. Rama ordered that worship be performed first to the Visva-linga, a practice continued to this day.

The temple complex includes a beautiful 3700 feet long corridor (the longest in India). It goes around the temple, and has large sculptured pillars that are elaborately designed and carved.

In order to rescue his wife Sita, Lord Rama constructed , with the help of the monkey army, a floating bridge of stones on the Indian Ocean from Rameshwaram to Lanka.

Rameshwaram is located 100 miles from Madurai, on the south-east coast of India.