The Meaning & Significance of Rameshwaram Dham

The Meaning of Rameshwaram

The term “Rameshwaram” means Ram's God is Rameshwar. Means to whom Lord Ram has worshipped, hence the place started being known by the name of Rameshwaram. Lord Shiva was happy and blessed the one who won with the devotion of Lord Ram. Hence it is said that whoever makes a wish out of devotion to Lord Shiva, his wish is fulfilled.

The Story of Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram Dham is a pilgrimage shrine of Lord Shiva (रामेश्‍वरम भगवान शिव का तीर्थस्थल है). This is one of the “Four Dhams”. According to the Ramayana, Rama built a bridge across the sea from Rameshwaram to Lanka to save his wife Sita from the kidnapper Ravana.

As per Valmiki Ramayana, it is believed that after building this bridge, Lord Ram started worshiping Lord Shiva to pray for the victory and did puja of the bridge. He had invoked Lord Shiva by establishing a Shivling on the seashore in the sand. Ravan himself came there to worship and inaugurate the bridge. Because in that area there was a perfect Pandit who was a devotee of Shiv and had knowledge of Shivji's deeds, and there was no one better than Ravan. Then “Jamvavan” himself sent the invitation and sent it to him. Ravan had also come to know that the bridge was being built to kill him. Still, he went to worship as a priest. He thought, I don't think it would be right to reject the worship of Lord Shiva. After the Setu Bandh inauguration ritual done, Ravana also blessed Yajaman (Ram) by fulfilling his wish and after following all the rituals.

Rameshwaram is Deeply Linked to Ramayan

According to the Valmiki Ramayana, Lord Rama, is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, prayed to Shiva here for salvation from any sins he had committed during his war against the demon-king Ravana in Sri Lanka. According to the Vedic Puranas on the advice of sages, Rama, along with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana to apologize for the sin of “Brahma Hatya” committed during the murder, a Lingam as an iconic symbol of Lord Shiva was installed and worshiped here. Though Ravana was a Brahmin Pandit.

The history of Rameshwaram Dham(रामेश्‍वरम धाम) is deeply linked with Hindu mythology and legends. according to Hindu belief, this temple is associated with Lord Rama, one of the most revered deities in the Hindu pantheon. It is said that Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and Hanuman. Ram went to Rameshwaram on a trip to Lanka to save Sita from the demon king Ravana.

Rameshwaram is the place where Lord Rama worshiped Lord Shiva and sought his blessings and guidance before launching the epic war against Ravana. In gratitude for Lord Shiva's support, Lord Rama decided to install a Lingam at this place. This Linga is called “Swayambhu” Linga, which means it appeared on its own.

The Rameshwaram temple has additional significance because, firstly, it is a Jyotirlinga, and secondly, it is said in the scriptures that pilgrimage to Varanasi is done to pay homage to the Lord. Believed that, Kashi Vishwanath's journey is incomplete without paying homage to Lord Ranganath at Rameshwaram. This Dham is also unique in the sense that it is an important pilgrimage site for both Vaishnavas as well as Shaivites. Rameshwaram is called "Varanasi of the South". According to a popular legend, Lord Rama installed this Linga here. It is said that when Lord Rama was drinking water on the beach, a voice came from the sky “You are drinking water without worshiping me.” Hearing this, Lord Rama made a linga of sand and worshiped it and sought blessings so that he could win over Ravana.

Lord Shiva blessed him accordingly. He also requested Lord Shiva to reside here forever so that the entire human race can benefit from it. Then Shiva himself appeared in the form of Linga and established himself there for eternity.