Ramanathaswamy and Grishneshwar Temples: 12 Jyotirlingas (Part 7)

Apart from being one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples, Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple is also one of the 4 Char Dhams and one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams. Situated on Pamban Island (also known as Rameswaram Island), the temple has Tamil architecture type with an expansion during the 12th century by Pandya Dynasty. The presiding deity, the lingam of Ramanathaswamy was built by Lord Rama (7th Avatar of Vishnu) before crossing the bridge on his way to Lanka. According to Ramayana, Rama prayed to Lord Shiva to absolve him of the sin of killing a Brahmin committed during the war against the Rakshasaraja Ravana in Sri Lanka.

There are two lingams inside the sanctum – one built by Rama, from sand, residing as the main deity, Ramalingam and the one brought by Hanuman from Kailash Parvat called Vishwalingam. Lord Rama instructed that the Vishwalingam should be worshipped first since it was brought by Hanuman and so the tradition continues to date. There are 24 important holy water bodies out of 64 Tirthas (holy water bodies), in and around the island of Rameswaram as mentioned in Skanda Puran. Bathing in these Tirthas is a major aspect of pilgrimage and 22 of which are present within Ramanathaswamy Temple. The temple has been glorified by Nayanars (Kavis who wrote about Lord Shiva) namely Appar, Sundarar, and Tirugnana Sambandar. The temple is the southernmost among all the jyotirlingas.

Reflecting the kind and compassionate nature, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the smallest and the last of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This pilgrimage is located in Verul which is less than a kilometer away from Ellora Caves – a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Aurangabad town of Maharashtra. The current temple structure is an illustration of the Maratha temple architectural style of the Hemadpanthi type. The temple structure was demolished by the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th and 14th-century.

The occurrence of these Hindu pilgrimage sites shows the impact and braveness of Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, who fought for the survival of this religion and it depicts in the aura of this temple. Halfway up the temple, Dashavataras of Vishnu is carved in red stone. This shrine comprises 24 pillars with carvings of various kaand of puranas on it. There is a Nandi Bail (Bull) in the court hall of the complex which is the vahana of Lord Shiva. Pilgrimage to this shrine is open throughout the year, though the best time to experience the joyous and enthusiastic aura to indulge ourselves in the devotion of Lord Shiva is during Mahashivratri and paavan maah of saawan.