Rameshwaram Dhanpradata Shiv-Gouri Sadhana Mahotsav - RAMESHWARAM

Date: 14, 15 March, 2015

Venue: Satsang Bhawan, Goswami Mutt - 2, Near Sita Tirth, RAMESHWARAM (Tamil Nadu)

Dwadasa Jyotirling Stuti:

Rameshwaram Holiest Pilgrimage

Rameshwaram shrine is one of the holiest pilgrims of Hindus and is among the Char Dhaams (four divine sites) comprising of Badrinath, Puri, Dwarka and Rameshwaram. Rameshwaram is an island, which is in the shape of a conch. Its importance has been mentioned in the Skandha Purana and Shivapurana. Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is the temple with the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India. It enjoys reverence akin to Banaras. It is believed that one can’t attain ‘nirvaan’ without a visit to this place. Mythologically, this is the place where Lord Ram worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana (Ravana was a Brahmin and killing a Brahmin is considered a sin). Rameshwaram is therefore a holy pilgrimage for Vaishnavites and Shaivites alike. This temple is one of the holiest Hindu temples.

Spiritual Significance – Rameshwaram

If one lies down on bank and sticks the sand on the body, the number of as many sand particles would absolve as many Brahmahatya (killing a Brahmin) sins. The touch of the wind on one’s body from the mid-banks of Setu would pardon ten thousand ‘Surapanaas’(drinking alcohol). One can take an oath on behalf of someone and then taking a dip in the sacred water will relieve a person of all his sins.

Historical Significance – Rameshwaram

Following king Dasharatha’s wish, Lord Shri Ram, Devi Sita and Lakshman consigned themselves to the Dandakaranya forest for fourteen years. When residing at a hermitage in Panchavati, the demon king Ravana tricked and abducted Devi Sita. He held her captive in Ashokavana in Lanka – the present day Srilanka. Rama and Lakshmana reached Kishkindha in search of Devi Sita, where they made Hanuman and Sugriva as their friends. The latter was helped by Rama to kill Bali and made him the king of Kishkindha. A huge search for Devi Sita was organized by the vaanaras in which Hanuman having reached southern seashore at Rameshwaram, jumped across the ocean, and met Devi Sita at Ashokavana. After finding Devi Sita in captivity in a garden, Hanuman reveals his identity to her, reassures her that Lord Rama has been looking for her, and uplifted her spirits. Hanuman returned back to Rama and gave the news of Sita’s whereabouts. Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva, Hanuman, Jambavan and other great warriors of vaanaras reached the seashore of Rameshwaram.

Rama prayed to Samudra Deva (God of Ocean) for three days but grew angry since he did not respond. As Rama took his bow and arrow to punish Samudra Deva, Samudra Deva appeared and agreed to help Rama. Nala constructed a bridge using stones and boulders across the ocean. Thus commenced the ‘Setu Bandhan’ with the help of any material including trees, plants, flowers, and even grass thrown into the deep waters by Nala and soon enough a remarkable bridge was planned right across the Ocean. Lord Shri Rama determined an excellent ‘muhurat’(auspicious time) for Ganesh Puja and Maheshwara Puja at the Devipatnam Nagar. The Setubandhan mantra recited by all those involved in the building of it is as follows:

Raghuvira padanyasa Pavitrikruta Pamsavey,

Dasakantha siraccheda hetavey Setavey

Namah Ketavey Ramachandrasya moksha

Maargonka hetavey, Sitaayaa maanasambhoja

Bhaanavey Setava namah

This Place has become sacred with the dust of Shri Ram’s feet; this Setu is the one being constructed to devastate the ten heads of Ravanasura; this is the Ketu (dhwaja or flag symbol) being built as the proof of ‘Moksha Sadhana’or the Route to Salvation, Shri Rama’s universal distinction and Devi Sita’s happiness like the opening of her lotus like heart with Surya Deva’s high radiance. Our greetings to this immortal Setu!

Starting the task of Setu Bandhan, the construction was accomplished within five days. Rameshwaram Maha Linga is the most hallowed Parameshwara linga established by Lord Rama and Devi Sita for the twin reasons of freeing them from sins of brahma hatya dosha (killing Ravana) and also to show their gratitude and veneration to Mahadeva.

In consultation with Maha Munis, Lord Rama decided to consecrate Rameshwara Linga at the most auspicious ‘Muhurat’ and requested Hanuman to bring the Linga from Mahadeva at Kailash Mountain. Hanuman raced to Kailasa by the sky route in a second time but could not secure Shiva Darshan fast and had to meditate Mahadeva for days together. Finally, Mahadeva blessed Rameshwara Linga and without loss of time Hanuman came back to Rameshwaram. However Hanuman could not arrive before the auspicious muhurat and hence Devi Sita prepared a Shiva Linga out of the ocean sand. Lord Rama established the sand linga by performing abhisheks amid recitals of vedas and other appropriate mantras by the holy waters from Koti Tirtha. In order that Hanuman should not feel disappointed, Shri Rama placed Hanumadiswara Linga and announced that devotees should have to see this Linga even before they worship Rameshwar Linga.

Rameshwaram Temple and other places of Interest

The Rameshwaram temple was built by many kings and is very famous for its sculptural beauty. The third corridor is the longest corridor in the world. Twenty two different tirthas are present inside the temple. Each of these tirthas is fresh water spring near to an ocean bed which in itself is a miracle.

There are total 22 tirthas (wells) in this temple and it is believed that taking a bath from the water of these wells helps one to get rid of all the sins as well as diseases in life. The most important ones are Chakra Tirtha, Betala Varada Tirtha and Paapavinashana Tirtha. Then there are Sitasarovar Tirtha, Mangala Tirtha and Amritavaapika, Brahmakund, Hanumankund, Agasthya Tirtha, Rama Tirtha, Lakshmana Tirtha, Jaya Tirtha, Lakshmi Tirtha, Agni Tirtha, Chakra Tirtha, Shiva Tirtha, Shankha Tirtha, Yamuna Tirtha, Ganga Tirtha, Gaya Tirtha, Koti Tirtha, Saadhyamrita Tirtha, Maanasa Tirtha and Dhanushkodi Tirtha.

Rules of Attending this Shivir

1. Various spiritual activities will be performed on 14^th March 2015 under the guidance of Gurudev after completion of Aarti on Rameshwaram Shivghat which lies on the bank of Indian Ocean.
2. Swa Rudrabhisheka will be performed on 15^th March 2015 to eradicate poverty, illness, untimely death consequences and misfortunes from the life.
3. Yoga, pranayama, mantra recitation, sadhana, bhajans etc. will be performed daily.
4. You should make sure that instead of roaming around after the Shivir, you should go back directly to home on the morning of 16^th March, 2015 and recite the Mantra provided by Gurudev for getting the best results of your Sadhanas or Diksha.
5. Registration cost of the Shivir is Rs. 5100/- (Rupees Five Thousand One Hundred Only). You can deposit this amount by yourself in account number 31763681638 in the name of Pracheen Mantra Yantra Vigyan, State Bank of India, U.I.T., Jodhpur account.
6. If amount is directly deposited in the account, then it is advisable to send the PAY IN SLIP to Jodhpur Office or if the transfer is made online, then you can forward the amount transfer SMS.
7. Please contact the Jodhpur office on the following landline numbers 0291-2517025, 0291-2517028 or on mobile numbers 07568939648 or 08769442398 for more details regarding the Shivir.
8. Lodging and food arrangements will be made for registered disciples only. Lodging will be provided in DORMITORY / HALL only.
9. Mothers / sisters / daughters should not come alone.
10. It is also recommended that only physically fit person should attend this Shivir.
11. It is necessary to reach Rameshwaram by 14^th March 2015 morning.

All Major City connected by train to Madurai & Rameshwaram.

As mentioned above, Rameshwaram is one of the most holy pilgrimages of the Hindus and it is also said that one who visits this place get rid of all the sins. Without any doubt, it is also true that only a fortunate person can get Dikshas or Sadhanas on such holy land. It is our good fortune that we are getting such a golden opportunity in life to go to such a divine land under the guidance of Sadgurudev and we should grab this opportunity with our both hands.

Each registered Sadhak will be initiated by Gurudev Shri Kailash Chandra Shrimali with Shakshi Vinayak Diksha and Kaalbhairav Shaktipaat Diksha. To get completeness, prosperity, opulence, Hawan, Pujan, Rudraabhishek, Darshan at RAMESHWARAM JYOTIRLINGAM, Holy bath at 22 Kunds (Wells) is also organised.