The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Rameswaram all set to receive pilgrims

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Friday, Aug 01, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Rameswaram all set to receive pilgrims

— File Photo: G. Moorthy

Oblation: Devotees taking a holy dip at Rameswaram shore.

The island of Rameswaram, one of the most sought after destinations for millions of Hindus, is ready to receive pilgrims from different parts of the country in view of the Adi Amavasya today.

The specialty of this year’s Adi Amavasya is that it coincided with a solar eclipse and a Friday.

Since pilgrims in general avoid visiting temples during the eclipse period, they get ready to complete pujas before noon to avoid the eclipse time.

According to a police estimate, more than 1 lakh devotees across the country particularly from Tamil Nadu would visit Rameswaram on Friday.

Most of them are expected to discharge their duties for their ancestors, pray for their salvation and redeem themselves from the sins of previous births.

Invariably they would take holy bath at Agnitheertham to perform ‘pithru’ pujas to their ancestors. They would also offer abishekams to the god with holy water brought from various other holy places particularly from the Ganges.

Rameswaram is one of the 12 jyothir lingas situated in the country and it is the only jyothir linga in South India.

Authorities said that Sri Ramanathasamy Temple will open at 4 am, ahead of usual schedule. It will be closed from 1 pm to 7 pm due to the solar eclipse formation.

Police and temple authorities have made elaborate arrangements to regulate the pilgrims.

C. Jaishankar

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