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Sri Nambunayakai Amman Temple

Rameswaram, often spelled as Rameshwaram is a sacred land mass that is surrounded by water and is disjointed from mainland India by the Pamban Bridge. The holy land, along with Dwarka, Badrinath and Puri are revered as a Char Dham site. The world famous Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram is one among the Jyotirlinga temples where Lord Shiva is revered in the form of Jyotirlingam. Not to mention, the historic temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalam that is glorified in the sacred hymns of Maanickavaasagar, Thirugyana Sambandar and Sundarar - the three most important Nayanar saints.

The blessed land of Rameshwaram is dotted with several historically significant Hindu temples across the length and breadth that are visited by hundreds of thousands of devotees from all over the world, irrespective of times of year. Among the most visited temples in Rameswaram, the 500 years old Sri Nambunayaki Amman Temple in Dhanushkodi occupies a prime position. Located approximately 2 km from the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple (via NH49), the Nambunayakai Amman Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the region. Let's get to know more about the religious significance of the Sri Nambunayaki Temple in Rameswaram.


Legend and Significance of Sri Nambunayaki Amman Temple

Sri Nambunayakai Amman Temple

The Nambunayaki Amman Temple is one of the notable Hindu Goddess temples in the region. Goddess Nambunayaki is the family deity (Kula Deivam) of numerous Maratha Brahmin families residing in the region who generally name their child after the amman. As a matter of fact, the name 'Nambu' is a household name in Rameswaram as finding people with the word 'Nambu' attached to their name is not a big deal. The presiding deity of the Nambunayaki Amman Temple, that is to say, Goddess Sri Nambunayaki is regarded as the goddess of protection that is facing the southern direction. It is believed that prior to the most powerful 1964 Rameswaram cyclone (Dhanushkodi cyclone), the Amman temple was in the abandoned sea swept ghost town.

Sri Nambunayakai Amman Temple Entrance

Subsequently, the worst cyclone of the history impacted in shifting of the goddess statue from the shattered city to the location as it is being revered now. The area around the Amman temple is being maintained really well that a worn out devotee can come and rest under shade trees present around the temple. The nearby gardens are flowering especially during the spring, and the scene of beautiful flowers is a view to lay eyes on. The holy sounds and the divine aura coming out from the gigantic bells set up in the shrine certainly comfort the mind and body of the devotees visiting the shrine. Though a modest temple, Sri Nambunayaki Amman Temple is associated with a lot of faiths and beliefs.

Sri Nambunayakai Amman Temple Side View

Legend has it that there were two rishis named as Pachima Duruvan and Dakshina Duruvan. The sages adopted severe penance near the Amman temple. Pleased by their devotion, Goddess Parvadhavardini came along in the form of Dakshina Kal and offered her blessings. Subsequently, the rishis stayed there forever and started caring for those suffering from diseases. It is still believed that the rishis, who are invisible to us offer help to people who are praying for a cure from the goddess. Furthermore, the significance of this temple is associated to a Sinhalese ruler too. It is also believed that during the reign of Sinhalese in this region, Sulodharan, a Sinhalese ruler fell sick and visited the shrine, seeking relief from the goddess.

The pious king stayed close to the temple and revered the goddess and had holy dips in the sacred water bodies. Answering his prayers, the goddess cured him and the king attained relief. He went on to establish the temple and also offered facilities for those coming to the holy site in search of a cure. It is important to mention that the sacred springs situated around the Nambunayaki Amman Temple are believed to have medicinal properties. Childless couples, people facing delay in their marriage, women abandoned by husbands, practice fasting on Fridays, seeking remedy. Those suffering from depression and mental disease stay in the temple, have a holy dip in the holy tanks for remedy.

It is strongly believed that the turmeric prasadham offered here in this temple can do wonders. Furthermore, devotees perform abhishekam and offer new vastras to the goddess. All the sacred springs located around the Nambunayaki Amman Temple in Rameswaram have high medicinal properties and they are revered as Sarvaroga Nivarana Theerthams. The Navarathri festival is very special in this temple as the deity of the Nambunayaki Temple offer her blessings in the form of nine Shaktis and special alankaram is performed on the ninth day of the festival.

Tidbits:

Location: Sri Nambunayaki Amman Temple, Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu 623526 (on the way to Dhanushkodi - via NH49)
Temple Timings: 6:00 am to 11:00 am and 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Transportation: Rameswaram to Dhanushkodi buses, auto rickshaws and taxis are operated

Nearby Places of Interest:

Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple - 2.2 km
Badrakali Amman Temple - 2.2 km
Agni Theertham - 2.8 km
Gandhamathana Parvatham - 3.9 km
Dhanushkodi - 17.9 km
Villoondi Theertham - 8.7 km
Ramanathapuram - 57.9 km
Thirupullani - 58.5 km
Devipattinam - 67.8 km
Uthiragosamangai - 73.4 km

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