Ramalingaswamy Temple, Papanasam, Thanjavur
Ramalingaswamy Temple is a Hindu
temple located at Papanasam in the Thanjavur district of Tamil
Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Shiva.
Legends
According to Hindu
mythology, Lord Rama, after
rescuing Sita, performed Shiva Puja in Rameswaram to cleanse himself of sins
that befell on him in the war killings. While returning to Ayodhya
from there, Lord Rama felt that the sins of killing Kara and Dooshna in
Janasthanam were following him. He decided to perform Shiva Puja
immediately. The Lord installed 107 Shivalingas and asked Sri
Anjaneya to bring one from Kasi thus making the total 108. The
main Linga was named Ramalingaswamy and the one brought by Sri Anjaneya was
named Hanumantha Linga. A shrine was built for Mother
Parvadhavardhini later.
Greatness of Temple
It is believed that the devotees get response to their
prayers offered in temples facing west as they have more gracing
powers. Sri Ramalingeswarar temple not only faces west but all the
108 Shiva Lingas are also facing west and therefore, it is natural that the
power of the temple is very supreme to benefit the devotees. The
devotee also has the additional advantage of worshipping 108 Shiva temples
simultaneously from this temple itself.
Lord Ramalingaswamy is in
the main shrine. On a hall (Mandapam) there are 106 Shiva Lingas in 3
rows. Hanumantha Linga shrine is outside the
temple. Barring the Linga in the sanctum sanctorum, devotees are
allowed to offer flowers and prayers directly themselves. Special
pujas are performed to 107 Lingas on the Pradosham days – 13th day from
new moon or full moon days.
The other significance of the temple is that Kamadenu
the divine cow has an equal place with Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva
before his shrine. Lord Rama worshipped Kamadenu as advised by
Maharshi Agasthya and it is also said that the Rishi himself worshipped the
divine cow and continues the worship even now on Pradosham days. The
idol of Kamadenu is so beautiful with ornaments around its neck.
The Vimana (tower above the shrine) of the Ramalingaswamy
is based on the Rameswaram design and that of Hanumantha Linga shrine has the
Kasi Viswanatha temple pattern. Those unable to visit these places
can have the benefits from this temple itself.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from
4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Festivals
Shivrathri is very devotionally celebrated in the
temple. Four time puja is performed for 107 Lingas during the night chanting
Rudra Mantras. Rudrabishekam is performed to Lord Ramalingaswamy. Devotees use
to circumambulate around the prakara 108 times. This puja is followed on the
Aipasi Annabishekam day too.
The place is called Papanasam as it destroyed the Papas
(sins, Nasam-destroying) Lord Rama, Sri Anjaneya and Sri Sugriva incurred
during the Lanka war by killing Ravana and others. The place has also the
reputation of being praised as East Rameswaram – Keezh Rameswaram. People
perform abishek with milk and honey at Surya Theertham for relief from doshas
incurred due to failure in performing proper ceremonies for the
ancestors.
Lord Nataraja is taken in procession in Margazhi Tiruvadhirai day. As the
temple is closely related with Ramayana story, there are sculptures of Lord
Rama, Sri Lakshmana, Mother Sita, Sri Anjaneya and Sri Sugriva worshipping Lord
Shiva. There are shrines for Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai,
Kasi Visalakshi and Annapoorani in a single shrine and Khala Bhairava, Sani
Bhagwan and Sun God adjacent to one another.
Shivrathri in February-March, Navarathri in
September-October, Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November and Margazhi
Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the festivals celebrated very devotionally
in the temple.
Prayers
Devotees seek the pardon of Lord Shiva for sins
committed unknowingly and for their failure in their duties to their ancestors.
Realizing their wishes, devotees perform abishek to Lord with milk and honey.
Contact
Sri Ramalingaswamy Temple,
Papanasam – 614 205,
Thanjavur district
Phone: +91 97901 16514
Connectivity
Papanasam is 25 km from Thanjavur on the Kumbakonam
Road. The place is 15 km from Kumbakonam. The temple is very near the bus
stand. Nearest Railway Station is located at Papanasam & Nearest Airport is
located at Trichy.
References