Which is the only Jyotirlinga temple in the Bada Char Dham circuit?
The Bada Char Dham is one of those spiritual journeys that every Hindu wishes to go on once in their lifetime. These temples are Badrinath (Uttarakhand), Dwarka (Gujarat), Jagannath Puri (Orissa), and Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu). These are considered the highest spiritual pilgrimage that a Hindu can undertake. Among these, three temples are dedicated to Lord Vishnu or his incarnations. But Rameshwaram is the only one which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This makes Rameshwaram’s Ramanathaswamy Temple not just a significant Dham but also the only Jyotirlinga within the sacred Char Dham circuit. Its dual honour makes it one of the rarest and most powerful pilgrimage destinations in India. Let’s have a closer look at it:The Legend
Rameshwaram is unique in many senses. It holds a special place in Hindu spirituality as it forms the meeting point of Shiva and Vishnu traditions. As per ancient texts, Lord Rama—an incarnation of Vishnu—worshipped Shiva here. It is believed that after defeating Ravana in Lanka, Lord Rama returned with Sita and wished to atone for the sin of war. He instructed Hanuman to bring a lingam from the Himalayas. When it didn’t arrive in time, Sita made a lingam from the sands of the beach. This is the Ramalingam, worshipped today as the Jyotirlinga. What makes Rameshwaram extraordinary is that it is the only Jyotirlinga directly connected to the Ramayana.A process of purification
Rameshwaram is not only a place of worship but also a centre of purification. The temple complex contains 22 sacred wells, each believed to have distinct healing properties. Devotees first bathe in these wells and then proceed towards the main temple to offer prayers. Set on the serene Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu, the temple is among the most peaceful and scenic spiritual destinations in India. Not many must be aware of the fact that the long corridors of Ramanathaswamy Temple are among the longest in the world. Why Rameshwaram Completes the Bada Char Dham
In the Bada Char Dham circuit, each temple represents a direction and a spiritual stage. Rameshwaram, in the south, signifies completion, purification, and liberation. It is said that visiting Rameshwaram after the other Dhams brings the soul full circle (moksha).The only Jyotirlinga in the Char Dham, Rameshwaram is more than a pilgrimage destination.
