Rameshwaram, a quaint town in Tamil Nadu, is renowned for the majestic Rameshwaram Temple, a site of great significance for Hindus as one of the Char Dhams in India. Embraced by Shaivities and Vaishnavites alike, the temple is a revered destination and stands as one of the 227 Paadal Petra Sthalams, honoured by the esteemed Nayanars—Appar, Sundarar, and Tirugnana Sambandar.
Associated with the Ramayana era, the temple is undergoing repairs, particularly the restoration of its exquisite pillars, following a directive from the Supreme Court. The restoration work, amounting to approximately Rs 67 lakhs, aims to preserve the temple’s ancient charm without altering its original style.
In ancient times, natural dyes derived from fruits, flowers, and vegetables were employed for painting forts, monuments, and temples. Embracing this tradition, the temple authorities are utilizing a mixture of lime, black pepper, and mustard seeds for renovating and painting the pillars and sculptures. The ongoing restoration focuses on the South Gopuram III Prakaram.
Delving into the historical roots of the Rameshwaram Temple, legends recount that Lord Rama, seeking penance for the slaying of the ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and Vishnu, Ravana, desired to worship Lord Shiva at this sacred site. In the absence of a temple on the island, Goddess Sita fashioned a shivling from coastal sand. Simultaneously, Lord Hanuman was dispatched to fetch a shivling from Mount Kailash. Due to a delay, both shivlings were consecrated in the temple upon Hanuman’s return. The current architectural design of the Rameshwaram Temple, attributed to King Kizhavan Sethupathi, was constructed in the 17th century.
This restoration effort not only adheres to the temple’s authenticity but also pays homage to the historical and cultural tapestry woven into its stones and sculptures.
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