Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga – Where Two Shivlings Are Worshipped

The twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva hold special significance. These twelve Jyotirlingas are established at twelve places in India, where millions of devotees visit every year. One of these is the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga, located in the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu. This temple remains extremely sacred not only for Shiva devotees but also for those who visit religious places connected with the Ramayana. Let us understand the legend, worship significance, and beliefs associated with the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga.

Mythological Legend of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga

The legend of the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga connects with the Ramayana. When Lord Rama was preparing to go to Lanka to free Mother Sita, he searched for a way to cross the ocean. During this journey, he needed a sacred place where he could worship Lord Shiva and receive blessings for victory. He chose the place of Rameshwaram and created a Shivling and worshipped it. Since then, this place became famous as a religious site.

According to another legend, when Lord Rama returned after defeating Ravana, he wished to worship Lord Shiva. He sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring a divine Shivling. Hanuman immediately departed but could not return on time. Then Mother Sita created a Shivling from sand and clay, and Lord Rama worshipped it. When Hanuman returned and saw that the worship had already taken place, he felt distressed.

Lord Rama, seeing his devotion, installed the Shivling brought by Hanuman as well. This is why two Shivlings are worshipped at Rameshwaram—one “Ramaligam,” created by Mother Sita, and the other “Vishwalingam,” brought by Hanuman. Lord Shiva appeared at this place, became pleased, and blessed Lord Rama with victory. He said that any devotee who worships here with true devotion will destroy all sins and attain liberation. For this reason, this Jyotirlinga is considered extremely sacred.

Mythological Beliefs and Mysteries

Many mysteries and beliefs relate to the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga. The temple contains 22 kunds (water tanks), which hold great religious significance. People believe that these kunds connect with various pilgrimages and rivers, and bathing in them destroys all sins. The temperature of each kund remains different, which increases the mystery associated with them. People believe that worshipping the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga ends all obstacles in life and grants liberation. It is also believed that a person who worships in Varanasi before death and then comes to Rameshwaram to offer water to Lord Shiva attains liberation.
The Ram Setu described in the Ramayana extended from Rameshwaram to Sri Lanka and was built by Lord Rama’s Vanara Army. This bridge remains a mystery for scientists, and many studies have been conducted regarding its construction. However, this bridge does not appear directly.

Significance of the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga

Worship of Lord Shiva at Rameshwaram holds special significance. The worship method here remains slightly different from other Jyotirlingas. People say that devotees must first worship the Vishwalingam brought by Hanuman and then worship the Ramalingam. Grand Rudrabhishek, Jalabhishek, and Panchamrit Abhishek take place here daily. Devotees perform the Abhishek of Lord Shiva with Ganga water and water from other sacred rivers. On Mahashivratri, the month of Shravan, and especially on Ram Navami, huge celebrations take place in this temple.