The Legend of The Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple
Worshipping Hanuman helps people eliminate fear, anxiety, and other negative energies. Hanuman is known to clear obstacles in your life and fulfil all your desires. Panchamukhi Hanuman is especially significant as he purifies the soul and drives away all negative influences. If you are in Rameshwaram, you must attend the Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple, located 2 km from the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Read on to learn more about the deity, the temple, and the Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple history.
What Is The Panchamukhi Hanuman?
It is believed that Hanuman took the panchamukhi form during Ramayana to fight Ahiravana, a famous rakshasha known for his black magic. Under orders from Ravana, Ahiravana disguised himself as Vibhishana to kidnap Rama and Lakshmana to the Patal Lok. While fighting Ahiravana, Hanuman realises that the only way to kill the demon is by simultaneously blowing out five candles in five directions. Hanuman promptly takes the form of Panchamukhi Hanuman to extinguish the lights and kills Ahiravana. The five faces of Hanuman are Anjaneya, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha, and Hayagriva.
Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple History
The Rameshwaram Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple is believed to have been first located in Dhanushkodi, but the idol was later brought to mainland Rameshwaram after the 1964 cyclone destroyed the original temple. Some believe that the Hanuman deity in the Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple is over 700 years old. The deity is believed to have been carved out of a single stone and is said to be over 18 feet in height.
But what’s unique about the temple are the floating stones kept on display inside the temple. It is believed that these stones were originally used to build the Sethu Bandhanam, the floating bridge that connected Sri Lanka to India. The bridge was built by Hanuman and his vanar sena to rescue Sita from Ravana.
Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple Location
The temple is situated on Thulasi Baba Madam Street and is only 2 km away from the Ramanathaswamy Temple and a 4-minute walk from our hotel.
Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple Timings
The temple is open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from Monday to Sunday. However, we request you to visit in the early hours to avoid the rush.
Visit us if you are planning to visit the temple and looking for hotels in Rameshwaram.
