RAMESHWARAM: sacred JYOTIRLINGA

RAMESHWARAM 


The rameshwaram temple , also called Ramanath Swamy temple is among the most holiest ''char dham'' (shrines) in south india.

This temple is assocated closely with the Ramayana and Rama's victorious return from Sri Lanka.

It can be visited anytime of the year, but the best time to visit Rameswaram is from October to March.


HOW TO REACH 


There is no. of ways to reach rameshwaram by bus,train,taxi.and airplane.all the mediums are connected from cities like chennai,coimbatur,banglore,madurai ,kanyakumari etc


we opted bus from madurai which runs very frequently from morning till night.it took us 4 hrs to reach.


ACCOMODATION


there is 'MADAM GOSWAMI 'guest room,which offers a comfortable and descent  stay.
and if you want to stay very near to temple and sea then 'sahuwala guest room'  and  'GUJRATI BHAWAN' (both are just 150 mtr away from temple)are best one.







 STORY 

According to the Puranas, upon the advice of Rishis, Bhagwan Rama along with Mata Sita and Lakshmana, installed and worshipped the Sivalinga here to expiate the sin of Brahmahatya(Ravana)

 Shri Rama fixed an auspicious time for the installation and sent Shri Anjaneya(hanumanji) to Kailash parvat to bring a lingam. As Bhagwan Anjaneya could not return in time, Sita herself made a linga of sand.

When Anjaneya returned with alinga from Mount Kailas the rituals had been over. To comfort the disappointed Bhagwan Anjaneya, Rama had Anjaneya’s lingam (Visvalingam) also installed by the side of Ramalinga, and ordained that rituals be performed first to the Visvalingam.

 

Agnitheertham - 

Sri Ramanathaswamy temple faces east. The seashore, about 100 metres from the main entrance of the temple, is very calm and therefore ideal for bathing. The water at this place is considered sacred and known as Agni theertham. Pilgrims perform poojas in honour of their ancestors at this seashore

TEERTH SNANAM 

  Proceed to the temple for Teerth snanam (Holy bath). The temple has 22 wells that are said to contain holy water from different places. You need to sequentially take bath at each place. 

It is best to hire a guide(YOU CAN FIND MANY OF PEOPLE ASKING YOU FOR THAT OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE) a day in advance, generally around Rs 400-500 for everything.

Worship 

The temple will be kept open for the devotees from 5 Am to 9 PM (except b

.etween 1PM and 3PM). The poojas are performed six times a day in this temple. 


 In Rameswaram Temple, a spiritual "Mani Darisanam" (Mani Darshan) happens in early morning( Darshan timings are 4:00 - 5:00 a.m.) everyday. This "Mani" is made of "spatikam"[a precious stone] and in form of "Holy shivling"

OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN RAMESHWARAM-

1.FIVE FACED HANUMAN JI TEMPLE

Five faceted Hanuman temple is the most renowned temple in Rameshwar. It has mythological evidence where Hanuman showed his profile with five faces. He is believed to be adorned with senthooram at this particular place.

here you can see floating stones in water  and can buy even from authority.

2.LAKSHMAN THEERTHAM
3.SITA THEERTHAM
4.DHANUSHKODI(18 KM)- This is a strip of land about one km wide and 18 kms long on the eastern end of Rameswaram island. On one side are the waters of the Indian Ocean and on the other the waters of the Bay of Bengal.Dhanushkodi was completely washed away by the 1964 cyclone. Tourists can witness the remains of the devastated town.
5.PAMBAM BRIDGE

According to Hindu Mythology, if one visits Rameswaram and prays to Lord Shiva one will be relieved of one’s sins.our previous president sir Kalam's residence is also in Rameshwaram.

BANERGHATTA national park

BMTC BUS

lion safari

BANNERGHATTA NATIONAL PARK is situated around 25km south of banglore.one can enjoy grand safari of jungle in bus,on elephants and in personal jeeps at the same time zoological exhibition in zoo and beautiful butterfly park with museum.

HOW TO REACH-
one can reach there either by BMTC bus or by private vehicle or cab easily.the BMTC buses are scheduled at regular intervals so it can be good choice and KSTDC also operates  AC VOLVO buses which will provide you a comfortable and economic journey to the park.

SPECIAL TIPS-
1. tuesday is holiday of park.
2. try to reach there by 9 o'clock for avoiding inconvenience and queue due to crowd.
3. entrance tickets are separate for zoo,safari and    butterfly park
4. a little extra entry fee in weekends.
5. make sure you have plenty of water and snacks


WHAT IS THERE FOR YOU-


* zoo
* safari
* butterfly park


my suggestion for you is to take GRAND SAFARI at first then butterfly park and then zoo.and grand safari in bus is good one and remember to take front seats in bus to enjoy full on and its more better to seat in cabin area.

in grand safari you will enjoy -
* LION SAFARI
* BEAR SAFARI
* TIGER SAFARI
* WHITE TIGER SAFARI
on the way to jungle safari get ready with your  cameras because you will get amused to see the running deers,chittals in groups on the road side behind the trees.


now your bus will get inside the big gates surrounded by danger sign due to electic wire fancing.here comes the first safari of indian bears. there are around 130 bears in this park.the lions ,tigers,bears are used to people and they won't get wild as ther are full tank and have not need to hunt.


next comes the king of animal 'lion'safari  they surrounds your bus and one can easily take close up snaps. infact drivers of the bus helps tourist to take photographs,they are skilled enough to take awesome snaps.the safari bus drove you to the jungle with so many ponds on the way.


it was fun to experience there to see close view of  lazy white tiger from my bus window.

finished from grand safari we move towards India's first  butterfly park.it is a closed doom shaped having a large varieties of beautiful butterfly. there is museum and a documentary show also giving you info about butterfly origin,types ans so on.there are different kinds of plants ,flowers which attracts butterfly.


at a distance of half km from butterfly park there is zoo with leopards,crocodiles,elevator,ghariyal,white peacock,cobra,python,anacondas,different snakes ,colorful birds and so on. many of them are adopted by someone for a year.it means the whole expenses on maintenance of that animal would bear by that person.many celebrities,businessman,cricketers adopted animals of zoo.

bear safari

butterfly park

inside butterfly park

i must say its worth going there and I never really cared much for Zoos but I was positively surprised by this visit.