Saturday, April 23, 2016

Villoondi Theertham, Rameshwaram

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).