Villoondi Theertham, Rameshwaram
Villoondi
theertham is a famous tourist attraction in Rameshwaram. It is also one of the
64 theerthas (sacred water body) in Rameswaram. It is situated 6 Km far from
Rameswaram main bus stand. Villoondi theertham beach is a calm place with the
silent tides. There is a good water spring situated inside the sea, it is
the main attraction of this place. (Sometimes sea water mixed with that
spring water and makes it saline). Villoondi Thirtham is located 7 km from
Rameswaram Temple on the main road connecting to Pamban. This is an important
holy place.
Villoondi
Theertham near Rameswaram is a miraculous place as one can get fresh water near
the salty seawater. An additional attraction of the Villoondi Theertham is its
Ekantha Ramar Temple which is believed to be established at the very locus
where Lord Ram had resided before attacking on Lanka. Presently Villoondi
Theertham Temple is under the administration of Thangachi Madam Panchayat and
the charge of daily Pooja is handed to the Arya Maharashtra hereditary pujaris.
There is
a small Shiva shrine near to the Villoondi theertham. The Shiva lingam
here is named as Thrayambakeshvarar.
Legends
Villoondi
literally translated stands for ‘buried bow’. There may be some scientific
reasons for the existence of pure water spring inside the saline water body,
but there is a mythical story from Ramayana which states the existence and the
reason for the good water spring inside the sea in this place.
After
rescuing his wife Sita from Ravana, Rama and his crew flew from Srilanka to the
Rameshwaram, at Rameswaram they perform rituals and poojas by installing a
Shiva linga.
After
performing the rituals and took bath in the theerthas (Sacred
baths) Lord Ramachandra created well within sea with his arrow to satisfy
Mother Sita’s thirst and a fountain of fresh water appeared at this place in
the midst of the salty sea. Sita Devi drank the water and was satisfied. This
well is still there within the sea and is connected by narrow walking bridge
which leads to the well. Villoondi Thirtham is located seven km from Rameswaram
Temple on the main road connecting to Pamban. This is an important holy place.
The word
“Villoondi” literarily means “the place pierced by arrow” and Theertham means
sacred water in Tamil language.
Location
From
|
Distance
|
Rameswaram bus stand
|
6 km
|
Parking Area (Government) and Agni theertham Bus stand
|
8 KM
|
Railway Station
|
11 KM
|
Thangachi madam
|
1.5 KM
|
Connectivity
This
place is well connected by means of government buses from Rameswaram
bus stand. One can stop at Ekanda Ramar
temple or Thangachi madam bus stop (first stop) and reach by walk or by
taking auto rickshaw from there. (From this place Villoondi theertham is nearly
1.5 Kms).