Ramalingaswami Temple is a Hindu temple located at Papanasam in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva.
Mythology
According to Hindu mythology, Rama prayed to Shiva in order to be rid of the sin of killing Kara and Dooshna in the war against Ravana and installed 108 Shivalingas in penance at the particular spot.
While 107 Shivalingas were made by him, the remaining one was brought from Varanasi by Hanuman.
Significance
The shrine faces west in violation of the Hindu canon of temple architecture. The shivalingas, too, face west. There are shrines to Nandi, Kamadhenu, Murugan and his consorts Valli and Deivayanai, Shanisvara, Annapoorni and Kasi Visalakshi.
Papanasam (Sri Ramalingeswarar Temple/ 108 Shiva Linga Temple) – In Tamil literally it means “Destruction of Sins” It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva in this temple would remove all sins.
This temple was built by Lord Rama and the 108 Shiva Lingas were installed by him.
Lord Ramalingaswami is in the main shrine. On a hall (Mandap) there are 106 Shiva Lingas in 3 rows.
Other significance of the temple is that Kamadenu the divine cow has an equal place with Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shriva before His shrine.
History of Sri Ramalingaswami 108 Shiva Temple
The Lord installed 107 Shivalingas and asked Sri Anjaneya to bring one from Kasi thus making the total 108. 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 Dooshana in Janasthanam were following Him.
The main Linga was named Ramalingaswami and the one brought by Sri Anjaneya was named Hanumantha Linga.A shrine was built for Mother Parvadhavardhini later.
Sri Ramalingaswami 108 Shiva Temple Festivals
Shivrathiri in February-March, Navarathri in September-October, Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November, and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January are the festivals in the temple
Location: To view the location please click here
Landmark: Sri Ramalingaswami Temple is located near Selva Maha Kaliamma Temple
Nearest Airport: Trichy International Airport – 90 km
Nearest Railway station: Kumbakonam – 16 km, Papanasam – 4 km
