Ramanathaswamy (Rameshwaram) & Vaishno Devi Mandir

 Ramanathaswamy (Rameshwaram) Temple 

Rameshwaram (or Rameswaram) is a small island town in Tamil Nadu and is one of the four holiest pilgrimage places (Char Dhams) of the Hindus.

The reason for its being so sacred is the belief that Lord Rama along with his wife Sita first landed on its shore after defeating the demon Ravana (who was also a Brahmin). To seek atonement for killing a Brahmin, Rama wanted to pray to Shiva. Hanuman was sent off to Kailash to bring an idol of the God. In the mean time, Sita made a small lingam. The one made by Sita is called Ramalingam and one brought by Hanuman is called Vishwalingam

As per the instructions of Lord Rama, Vishwalingam is worshiped before the Ramalingam, even today.

Legend behind Rameshwaram Temple:-

 According to a popular legend, it was Lord Rama who installed this Linga here.  Story holds that when Lord Ram was on his way to attack Ravana, he reached this place where he made a linga of sand and worshipped it.  It is said that when Lord Rama was drinking water on the seashore there was celestial proclamation “You are drinking water without worshipping me “.  Listening to this Lord Rama made a linga of sand and worshipped it and asked to be blessed so that he could vanquish Ravana. Lord Shiva blessed him accordingly.   He also requested Lord Shiva to reside eternally here so that entire mankind should benefit from it.  Shiva then manifested himself as the Linga and was installed there for eternity.

 According to yet another legend, while returning to Ayodhya, Ram worshipped Lord Shiva in the form of a Shiva Lingam made of earth by Sita.  It is said that Hanuman was entrusted with the task of bringing an image of Viswanathar from Benaras.  Anticipating delay in Hanuman’s return from Benaras, Rama offered worship to a Shivalingam at a pre-chosen auspicious moment.  It is said that the names Ramalingam and the town Rameshwaram were thus got.

 There is yet another Shivalingam here Viswanathar is said to have been brought by Hanuman from Benaras.  This Shivalingam is referred to as Kasilingam and Hanumalingam. Prayers are offered to Viswanathar before they are offered to Ramanathaswamy.

   Structure of Rameshwaram Temple is spread over an area of 15 acres and has lofty gopurams, massive walls and a colossal Nandi.   Rameswaram Jyotirlinga also boasts of a 4000 feet long pillared corridor with over 4000 pillars, supposedly the longest in the world.  The carved granite pillars are mounted on a raised platform.  Yet another fact about this corridor is that the rock is not indigenous to the island and is said to have been brought in from elsewhere in Tamil Nadu across the sea.

The eastern Rajagopuram towers to a height of 126 feet and has nine levels.  The Western Rajagopuram is also quite impressive though not as tall as the Eastern one.  The temple also has several mandapams with mini shrines to other deities.  There is a huge Nandi measuring 12 feet in length and 9 feet in height with the idols of Viswanatha Naicker and Krishnama Naicker.  The lingams are placed in the inner section of the Ramalingeshwara.  High walls enclose the temple, forming a rectangle with huge pyramidal gopura entrances of each side.

 Vaishno Devi Mandir

After a trek of about 12 km from Katra (base camp), one reaches the holy cave, which is the abode of Maa (mother) Vaishno Devi and is located at an altitude of 5200 ft in a mountain called Trikuta. It is situated in Jammu and Kashmir, near Katra town.

Vaishno Devi is present here in the form of three rock heads, called the Pindies, instead of a statue. Due to the strong faith of the people, every year millions of them come to take the blessings of Maa Vaishno Devi.  It is said that it is Maa Vaishno who decides her visitors. It is she who calls her devotees to her doorsteps. Anyone making a successful journey to her shrine is there because of her wish. The shrine is open all year round.