RAMESWARAM

Next object that arrests their attention is the huge image of Nandi, measuring 12 fret in length, 9 feet in height, flanked by the beautiful figures of Viswanatha Naicker and Krishnama Naicker.  To the left of Nandi there is a Mandapam of modest size housing the Navagrahas.  In front of the Nandi towards the entrance are situated the shrines for Ganapathi and Subrahmanya. Praying homage to them, they enter the Ramanathaswamy shrine to avail the darsan of the august lingam installed by Sri Rama.  As it is installed by Rama it is called Ramanthaswamy and it is one of the twelve jyothirlingas. The serenity prevailing there bends the heads involuntarily.  A sight of the Lord destroys a sin as grave as Brahmahatya.  Offering soulful prayers, they next move to the Parvathavardhini shrine located to the right of Sanctum Sanctorum. The beautiful image of the Mother decorated with diamond jewellery and flower garlands lifts the soul.

In front of the Mandapam there are figures of Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman and Sugriva, the principal characters in the epic and they beckon attention and veneration.  To its north lies the Kasi Viswanatha shrine in which the lingam brought by Hanuman from Kailas is installed.  The Visalakshi Mandir lies adjacent to it.  Daily prayers are offered to viese deities first and then to Ramanathaswamy and Mother Parvathi Vardhini. 

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