Bhooloka Vaikuntam

There are Temples. Temples of special significance. Temples for performing specific rituals. Temples depicting the Lord's instances. And many many more reasons for a Temple to exist.

And then, there is the temple at Srirangam. 

It is believed that the entire "Vimana" of the Srirangam Temple is the root of all other temples and therefore worshipping at this temple will only strengthen our own prayers to all other temples.

It is widely known that King Vibhishana, brother of King Ravana installed and prayed to the Lord at this temple after Lord Rama gifted this idol to him when the King was returning back to Lanka after the ceremonial consecration of Lord Rama as the King of Ayodhya at the end of the Ramayana War. But there is something interesting how this idol came in to being, in the first place.

Let me explain briefly.

Sriman Narayana created Lord Brahma and the Universe and asked Lord Brahma to create the world which the latter kept doing for many years. Once, he was doubtful of his own ability to keep creating and hence wanted to strengthen his abilities, thereby requesting the Lord to bless him. The Lord appeared in Kurma Roopa (Tortoise form) but Lord Brahma wanted to see His real form to which Sriman Narayana replied that it wasn't so easy to see Him in that form. he ordered Brahma to perform prayers for a thousand years and finally He appeared in the form where He is seen lying on the Adisesha in the celestial ocean (which is none other than the water which flows from his conch - Panchajanya). Brahma thanked Him and prayed to the idol along with the Vimana (the exterior portions included) for many thousands of years.

Later, He passed on the duties to perform prayers to Lord Surya who passed it on to King Manu who passed it on to Ikshvaku of the Surya Dynasty. However, Ikshvaku wasn't sure if he had the ability to pray the way the Devathas prayed at the Satya Loka because he lived in the Bhoo-loka. Therefore, he requested that the Vimana be moved to the Earth and he performed prayers all his life before passing it on to King Dasharatha who prayed for 60,000 years. Then, it was passed on to Lord Rama who offered the idol to King Vibhishana at his behest as a parting gift for all the services the King offered to the Lord during the War at Lanka.

When Vibhishana was returning from Ayodhya with the Vimana, he decided to conduct his evening prayers and thus placed it at the current location on the banks of Cauvery River. However, he wasn't able to remove the Vimana - that is when the Lord informed him that he had given a boon to River Cauvery that He shall decorate her one day by being adjacent to Her. He assured the King that He would be facing the southern direction with His views always on Lanka. It is believed that King Vibhishana visits Srirangam everyday to perform his prayers.

A visit to Srirangam usually ends up with a fast Darshan to the main sanctum sanctorum. However, there are a number of other shrines inside the temple. Lord Dhanvanthri, a form of Maha Vishnu with medicinal herbs on His hands is located on the Northern side of the main shrine. Then there is the unfinished pillar where Lord Narasimha appeared in public when Kambar was invocating the Ramayana to prove that He was none other than Lord Vishnu in the form of Rama & Narasimha.

There is a separate shrine for Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana on the eastern side of the precincts. Closeby, there is a shrine which houses Sriman Narayana in His eternal home at Sri Vaikunta where he is seen seated along with Sri Devi, Bhoo Devi and Neela Devi. There is another shrine of Lord Vasudeva, a rare form of His creation seen at Temples.

Goddess Ranganayaki's shrine has two idols of the Goddess. This is because, during the raid by Mughal king Malik Kafur, the devotees shifted the idol of Lord Ranganatha to a secret location and buried the idol of the Goddess underground. While the idol of Lord Ranganatha was brought back from Tirupati (The Ranga Mandapa at Tirumala was where He was housed & offered prayers during this time), the devotees didn't know where the Goddess' idol was. So they sculpted a new one. However, after a while the original idol was found and was placed in front of the previously installed one.

They say there are temples within a city. But Srirangam is a city inside the Temple. The five layers (prakaras) are none other than the five forms of the Lord - Para Rupa, Vyuha Rupa, Vibhava Rupa, Archa Rupa and Antaryami. 

It is not enough to visit this temple once in a lifetime, rather it is the most benevolent boon to reside in Srirangam all our life so we are not reborn again and attain Mukthi to serve the Lord at His feet.

Pitru Kariyas by Lord Rama

Sriman Narayana has innumerable forms, names and incarnations. But the ones that are closest to the humankind in this Kali Yuga are only a handful. And among them, the most respected and revered is the form the Lord took in Treta Yuga as Sri Ramachandramurthy, S/o King Dasaratha.

Even as the Honourable Supreme Court of India is discussing the existence of Ram Lalla, a final debate is scheduled after the Court’s Dasera holidays after which a verdict on Ram Janmabhoomi is in the anvil (quite ironical since it was during Dasera that Lord Rama is said to have returned to Ayodhya and His pattabhisheka or ascending the throne is celebrated as Deepavali by believers of Sanatha Dharma all over the world), we showcase two temples of utmost spiritual significance and associated with the Ramayana, revered as an important Purana. 

While Lord Rama walked all the way to the southern tip of India to go to Lanka to rescue Goddess Sita from the captivity of King Ravana, he faced a number of hurdles. Among others, he was asked to pray to the Nine Planets who govern the life of every individual. Even though the Creator created Lord Brahma to create mortals like us across the yugas and has absolute control of our lives, He was perhaps the most benevolent CEO cum Founder of His times to delegate work to the Team. So, the Navagrahas who monitor our past lives and accordingly teach us lessons so we don’t repeat the mistakes (although many of us don’t learn and keep repeating for the love of being reborn!) govern each and every step of our lives and must be appeased from time to time for our prosperity.

Lord Rama, reached the seashore, invoked the Navagrahas and installed nine structures using Navapashanam, a unique mix of nine medicinal minerals such as Veeram, Pooram, Rasam, Jathilingam, Kandagam, Gauri Pasanam, Vellai Pasanam, Mridharsing and Silasat. It is said that one would need at least 30 years in today’s time to learn the art of making Navapashanam from an Expert (who doesn’t exist by the way), which is said to have miraculous medical impact for people suffering from various ailments. The water soaked on the Navapashanam structures and consumed is said to relieve people of pain and diseases. The Navagraha structures at Devipatnam can be seen only in the early mornings and thereafter, they get immersed by the sea water! 

When Lord Rama was installing the Navagrahas, sea waves came up heavily. So, Rama prayed to Lord Sri Adhi Jagannatha at Thirupullani close by and therefore He came here and stopped the rising waves. He’s seen seated facing the Eastern direction with Abhaya Hastha and has the name “Kadal Adiatha Perumal” – one who stopped the sea.  This part of the Sea doesn’t have waves, therefore and one must see this to believe. 

Closeby is Sri Thilakeswarar Temple where Lord Rama prayed to Lord Shiva for the sake of His forefathers and performed puja with Thila, Til or Ellu to appease Lord Maheshwara, hence His name. The shrine is famous for pitru dosha nivarthi since Lord Rama is said to have performed a number of pujas associated with His Ikshvaku clan of the Surya Dynasty. This is the lord associated with Kumba Rashi as well as the Pradhan'a deity of Lord Shanaischara and all types of rituals to invoke the pitru-shapa & nivarthi are performed here.

Thila Homa is performed near both these temples by learned Priests as well as near Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram town which is about 50kms from Devipatnam.

Thousands throng to The Navagraha Shrine at Devipatnam everyday but only a few - very few souls who are blessed by the Lord get to enter the Vishnu & Shiva Shrines close by and seek their blessings. 

Sarathy, your friendly Travel Companion will be able to arrange trips to these Temples soon. Bookings open soon. Stay tuned. Share this Page and spread the word.

Unique Divya Desam

Among the 106 Divya Desams on Earth, the other two being the Celestial Ocean – Parkadal and the Lord’s eternal abode, Sri Vaikuntam, Sri Parthasarathy Temple at Triplicane (Chennai) has a few unique features, which I would like to mention here.

The main deity is Lord Sri Parthasarathy facing the sea in the East. Lord Krishna, in his 9^thAvatar came to the Earth to protect Dharma (righteousness). 

When it was decided that the Kauravas will wage war against the Pandavas who were denied their rightful share of running the country, Kaurava King Duryodhana (son of Drithirashtra) went to Lord Krishna to seek his support. Around the same time, Pandava King Dharmaraja (Yudhishtra) also came to visit the Lord. Duryodhana admonished Dharma and said he was the elder brother between the two and also the ruling king so he would first ask what he wants from Lord Krishna. Also, he sat near the head of Lord Krishna as He was sleeping. When Krishna woke up, he first saw Dharma and enquired about him, which further irked Duryodhana and told Krishna that he came before Dharma and he must be allowed first to ask what he wanted for the War, which Krishna smilingly obliged. Duryodhana asked Krishna all the ammunition that ever existed, horses, elephants, swords et al which Krishna agreed to give away to him. Duryodhana laughed wickedly at Dharma and left the place. 

Krishna asked Dharma that he had nothing to part anymore to which Dharma said that he just needed the Lord to be with them in the War. The Utsavar Idol at Sri Parthasarathy Temple which has been around for centuries depict the arrow marks and injuries on the Lord’s face which can be seen till date at the temple. And thus, we know who won the war & how. This conversation has a larger life meaning. Even though we may have everything in life, money, material wealth, houses, cars, clothes and what not, ultimately, we all need His Grace and that’s what matters at the end of the day. 

At this temple, Sri Parthasarathy is in standing form and within the main prakaram (Sannidhi), one can also see Lord Rama and Sri Ranganatha in reclining form. Just outside this sannidhi, is another deity in the form of Sri Varadaraja Swamy, atop his celestial vahana, the Garuda (the celestial Eagle). The Lord here is also known as “Nitya Garuda Perumal” – always on Garuda Vahana ready for his ardent devotees. Adjoining this Sannidhi is Lord Sri Narasimha in Yoga form known as “Yoga Narasimha”. 

Also, this is one of the very few temples where Lord Sri Rama is with all his three brothers Lakshmana, Bharatha and Satrugna and Goddess Sita Devi by his side. Lord Hanuman who is usually by His side, is facing the Lord about 15 feet away, another rarity across Sri Rama Temples or Divya Desams. One can also find the Dashavatara forms of Sriman Narayana on the Pillars behind the main Sannidhi. Needless, this is what we see and observe when we visit the temple. Perhaps there are many other gems that could be unearthed every time we visit.

Lord Narasimha is from the Krita Yuga, Lord Rama is from Tretha Yuga and Lord Parthasarathy is from Dwapara Yuga as Krishna Avatara. Sri Ranganatha in the reclining form is the way the Lord Resides at Sri Vaikuntam and Lord Varadaraja is the way the Lord comes to his devotee’s rescue. Fascinating indeed – this is perhaps the only Divya Desam where the Lord can be seen on all forms in which He has appeared across Yugas and at his celestial abode. 

Ramanatha Swamy

While the whole epic of Ramayana celebrates the birth of Lord Rama on a supposedly inauspicious Navami day, his childhood valor, his marriage to Sita Devi and his 14 year’s in the forest followed by His search of Goddess Sita and finally the epic battle of Lanka, very less is often said of the antagonist Ravana. 

Sriman Narayana incarnated in the Thretha Yuga as Sri Ramachandramurthy and was born to King Dasharatha with three brothers, among whom Lakshmana is considered to be the sarpa rupa (the celestial snake) who always accompanies the Lord in all His incarnations and is upon whom the Lord is resting at Vaikunta. Brothers Bharatha & Shatrugna also have their important places in the epic Ramayana. 

Ravana, however was a very learned scholar. He is said to be a great devotee of Lord Shiva who, mighty impressed by Ravana’s various penances has granted several boons. Like most people endowed with special skills and powers, Ravana too became arrogant over time. What triggered him the most was when his sister Soorpanaka was insulted by Lakshmana and to take revenge, Ravana kidnapped Sita Devi from the forest where she resided with Rama. 

Lord Rama set-out on foot in search of Sita Devi and with the assistance of Lord Hanuman and the entire Vanara Sena (Monkey Army), decided to proceed to Lanka which was ruled by Ravana where Sita was kept hidden in captivity. After a protracted battle, Lord Rama killed Ravana and gave him Moksha after which Ravana’s brother King Vibhishana was ordained as the King of Lanka. 

Although Ravana took the wrong approach, he was a devout Brahman. He is said to have mastered all the Vedas, knew all the 64 Life Skills, was a benevolent ruler of his Kingdom and an affable person too. Among the worst of all sins is to abuse a Brahman, as per the Vedas. So, when Lord Rama had to kill Ravana in the ensuing war, he had no choice but to do the pariharas which, he is said to have performed at this temple after praying to Lord Shiva who is considered to be the most merciful of all Gods and grants any wish that His devotee seeks with fullest devotion. Lest, he would be cursed with Brahma-Hatti Dosha (killing a Brahmin).

So, why would the Lord, who is the creator of this Universe, the one who looks after everything ever created in this world need to do all this? Well, it is for us mortals to know how to deal with unsavory things in life which we end up doing. His acts are nothing but directions the celestial way. In our day today life, knowingly and sometime unknowlingly we commit various sins and these guidances are His way to show how to seek pardon for our mistakes. Hence the set of guidelines laid down by the Lord Himself. 

One is expected to take a dip in the sea early morning (in empty stomach) followed by a dip in all the 20 wells within the Temple precincts one after the other in a particular sequence. Although the wells are deep within the ground and so close to the sea, the water is not salty which is a miracle unfounded till date. After completing the holy shower, one should dry themselves, change clothes and then seek the blessings of Lord Shiva who is said to absolve one’s lifetime sins. It is preferable to take the guidance of the temple priests who help perform the rituals of taking the holy dip. Food must be consumed preferably only after the rituals are fully completed. 

Main Festivals;

Siva Rathri 

Temple Timings: 

6am to 12.30pm; 4.30pm – 8.30pm

Google Link

How to reach: 

Railhead: 

Rameswaram Railway Station (3 kms)

Madurai Railway Station (140 kms)

Bus Stand: 

Rameswaram Bus Terminus (1 km)

There are plenty of buses that ply from all over Tamil Nadu. The closest city with multi-modal connectivity is Madurai. 

Airport: 

Madurai Airport (160 kms)

By Road:

Rameswaram is actually an island off the mainland of India. While driving towards the town, one has to cross the Sea through the eponymous Pamban Bridge. There are parallel bridges for road users and trains. The road is narrow, be design. Once can view the train passing by the bridge from the road (bridge) although selfies can be life-threatening with vehicles of all shapes and sizes passing by at great speeds. 

There are road from three main directions entering into Rameswaram – one from Trichy in the North, Madurai in the West and Tuticorin in the South. All these three roads join the road towards Rameswaram and then it is just one straight for about 20 kms all the way up to the temple precincts. 

Dhanushkodi, the last village of India is located about 16 kms from Rameswaram. The once popular trading hub was washed away during the 1964 Tsunami which saw the city losing all it’s sheen and no one ever dared to live there, ever after. The road leading to Dhanushkodi is scenic with ocean on both sides and terminating at the tip where the ocean can be experiences in its full glory. Private vehicles can go all the way till the “Land’s End” and one can have a great time there. 

Summers are very harsh although that’s the most crowded season due to tourist rush. The town also gets quite a monsoon, once between June & July again between November & December. However, end December until March as well as July – November are supposedly great times of the year to visit.