Ramanadeeswarar Papanasam

Ramanadeeswarar, Papanasam

Saivite Temples, Thanjavur District

God

Ramanadeeswarar, facing west

Goddess

Parvathavardhini, facing south

Other Deities

Ganesha, 108 lingams including Hanuman Lingam, Saneeswara, Surya, Bhairava, Vishnudurgai, Muruga with consorts, Kasi Visalakshi, Annapoorani, Rama, Sita, Anjaneya, Sugriva

Ramanadeeswarar Papanasam is an ancient east facing temple which is considered very important by people from many parts since worshiping the 108 Shiva Lingams installed here are believed to be equal to visiting 108 Shiva temples. All the 108 Shiva Lingams here are facing west. The Vimana (tower above the shrine ) of the Ramalingaswami is based on the Rameswaram design and that of Hanumantha Linga shrine has the Kasi Viswanatha temple pattern. Mahasivaratri is a celebrated grandly here at Ramanadeeswarar Papanasam.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Surya Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilvam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Though exact historical information is not available, it is said that Papanasam received its name from the story of Ramanadeeswarar Papanasam temple as it destroyed the sins (Pavam-sins, Nasam-destroy) Lord Rama, Anjaneya and Sugriva incurred during the war at Sri Lanka where they killed Ravana and so many others.

Legend

Rama after killing Ravana and other Asuras is said to have requested Hanuman to bring the Lingam from Kasi and while waiting Sita started making lingam like objects from the sand. Miraculously they turned into Lingams and a total of 107 were present. The 107th Lingam was Ramanathaswamy and the one Hanuman returned with is installed here at Ramanadeeswarar Papanasam as Hanuman Lingam. Saneeswaran and Surya are believed to have done penance here at Ramanadeeswarar Papanasam to relieve themselves of Sage Vasishta’s curse for not having informed him of the removal of the Lingam from Kasi.

Directions

Ramanadeeswarar Papanasam temple is just outside Papanasam while you go to Kumbakonam from Thanjavur.

Stay and Food

Tea and snack shops available locally. Closest is Kumbakonam.

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