Thiru Rameswaram Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Thiru Rameswaram Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Thirurameswaram, Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu 614101

Diety

Sri Ramanathaswamy Amman: Mangala Nayagi.

Introduction

The Ramanathaswamy Temple, situated in Thiru Rameswaram Village in Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, is a significant place of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Presiding Deity: The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as Ramanathaswamy. The mother goddess is known as Mangala Nayagi.
Significance: This temple is renowned as a Pithru Dosha Nivarthi Sthalam. It is believed that Lord Rama performed rituals for his father to alleviate Pithru Dosha, and he also sought forgiveness from Lord Shiva for the sin of killing Asuras during the war. Lord Rama received a boon from Lord Shiva that anyone who visits this temple will be relieved of Pithru Dosha and Brahma Hatti Dosha.
Kothanda Theertham: Legend has it that Lord Rama created a sacred pond called Kothanda Theertham by striking the ground with his bow, and a well called Kothanda Theertham where his bow touched the earth.
Seetha’s Worship: It is believed that Goddess Sita performed Shiva worship at this temple to seek atonement for her separation from Lord Rama.
Transport and Pilgrimage: While transportation facilities to this temple may be limited, it attracts a significant number of devotees who come here to perform rituals for their ancestors. The temple has a large tank nearby where people conduct these rituals.
Architecture: The temple faces west and has two prakarams (enclosures) with a five-tiered Rajagopuram (main tower). Inside, there are other structures like Artha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, and an inner prakaram. The deity is Swayambu Moorthy, and the temple is known for the sun rays illuminating the Lingam during certain hours, making it a Bhaskara Sthalam.
Deities and Idols: The temple houses various deities and koshta idols, including Arthanareeswarar, Bikshadana, Brahma, Durga, Agasthya, Vinayaga, and Dhakshinamoorthy. Dhakshinamoorthy is depicted with his four disciples and two Rishis with their consorts on top.
Inscriptions: The temple contains inscriptions from the period of Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola, reflecting the rich historical and cultural heritage of the region.
Festivals: Several festivals are celebrated at the Ramanathaswamy Temple, including Chitra Poornima in April-May, Vaikasi Visakam in May-June, Aadi Pooram in July-August, Vinayaka Chathurthi in August-September, Navarathri in September-October, Maha Shivrathri in February-March, and Sani Peyarchi (Saturn planet transition) days.

The Ramanathaswamy Temple holds historical and religious significance, and it continues to be a place of reverence and pilgrimage for devotees seeking spiritual solace and remedies for ancestral and astrological concerns.