History of Rameshwaram

Lord Rama’s Journey:

According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama built a bridge (Ram Setu) from Rameshwaram to Lanka to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana. After defeating Ravana (a Brahmin by birth), Rama worshipped Lord Shiva in Rameshwaram to absolve himself of Brahmahathi Dosha (sin of killing a Brahmin).

Rama is said to have installed a Shiva Lingam, known as Ramanathaswamy, and worshipped it.

The Two Lingams:

There are two Shiva Lingams inside the temple:

Ramalingam – made by Sita using sand.

Viswalingam – brought by Hanuman from Kailash.

Rama instructed that Viswalingam be worshipped first, a tradition still followed.

 Pooja done by lord Rama and goddess Sita devi:

Lord Rama is said to have performed penance here after killing Ravana (a Brahmin by birth), to rid himself of Brahmahathi Dosha. Rameshwaram is considered one of the holiest places to perform Dosha Nivaran pujas.

Religious Importance:

Char Dham Yatra: One of the four holy sites (others: Badrinath, Puri, Dwarka).

Jyotirlinga Shrine: Rameshwaram is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, highly sacred in Shaivism.

Pitra Dosha & Karma Pariharam: People perform rituals here to remove ancestral and karmic doshas.

LIST OF 22 WELLS IN Rameshwaram - All wells are present inside temple:

1. Mahalakshmi Theertham - Washes away poverty.
2. Savithri Theertham - Blesses with good family life.
3. Gayathri Theertham - Grants wisdom.
4. Saraswathi Theertham - Enhances knowledge and speech.
5. Sethu Madhava Theertham - Removes ancestral curses.
6. Gandhamadana Theertham - Heals diseases.
7. Kavatcha Theertham - Offers protection from evil.
8. Gavaya Theertham - Frees from sins of harming animals.
9. Nala Theertham - Destroys inner negativity.
10. Neela Theertham - Provides peace of mind.
11. Sanku Theertham - Purifies heart and mind.
12. Chakra Theertham - Removes sins committed in thought.
13. Brahma Theertham - Helps in gaining spiritual knowledge.
14. Siva Theertham - Bestows divine grace.
15. Suryan Theertham - Strengthens vitality and energy.
16. Chandran Theertham - Cools mental unrest.
17. Ganga Theertham - Grants spiritual purification.
18. Yamuna Theertham - Protects against untimely death.
19. Gaya Theertham - Removes pitru dosha (ancestral karma).
20. Sarva Theertham - General wellbeing.
21. Kodi Theertham - Offers benefits of bathing in all holy rivers.
22. Adi Sethu Theertham - Final bath; completes the ritual.