Mukthi Rameshwaram – Proddatur

About Mukthi Rameshwaram

According to inscriptions written on the walls, this temple was built by Sri Krishan Devaraya in the 16th century. Raja gopuram is a five-tiered construction with beautiful carvings.

While on the way to Ayodhya, Rama decided to halt their journey here as the sun was setting. Sri Rama wants to offer prayers to Siva in the early hours, to get rid of his sin of killing Ravana. Ravana is a Brahmin so he needs to get rid of Brahmatti Dosham.

Sri Rama ordered Hanuman to bring Siva Linga from Kasi. Hanuman who left to Kasi to bring Siva Lingam could not return within pooja time. To perform pooja within time, Rama had installed Siva Linga and performed Abhishekam, which he made out of Sand. This Siva Linga is called Saikatha Lingam, a sand sculpture representation of Lord Siva.

In return, Hanuman felt bad that he could not fulfill his master’s request. To please Hanuman, Rama installed Siva Linga brought by Hanuman, a little away and opposite to Saikatha Lingam. From then on this Kshetram is popular as Ramalingeswara Swamy Kshetram and Hanuman Kshetram. As Ravana was killed by Sri Ram, he attained Mukti. Hence this place is also called Mukti Rameswaram.

Sri Rama consecrated the Saikatha Lingam before sunrise and hence the place is called proddatur, later changed to Proddatur. Proddatur is derived from two words, Proddu and turu. In Telugu, Proddu means time after SunRise, turu means village.