Jada Theertham, Rameshwaram

The Jada Theertham is located about 3.5 km from Rameshwaram on the way to Dhanushkodi. Many tourists on their way to the holy bath at Dhanushkodi make it a point to stop at Jada theertham as well. The theertham is again related to legends of Sri Rama, and it is believed that Lord Rama stopped at the place on his way to Ayodhya after killing Ravana and rescuing his wife Sita.

He prepared a lingam and worshipped it. The lingam is called the Sri Ramalinga. Rama also washed his ‘jada’ or hair in the water in order to absolve Himself from the sin of having killed a Brahmin. Only after ‘washing off’ his sins did He start worshipping the lingam.

The temple is very small compared to the other temples in and around Rameshwaram. In fact, the temple has been built inside the premises of another theertham, the Kaveri theertham. Some people also believe that Jatayu, the King of Birds lost his life at this place after his wings were severed by Ravana.