Rameshwaram Temple in Tamilnadu is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva in India. Also known as Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple this ancient Shiva temple is situated in the island of Rameswaram, off the Sethu coast of Tamil Nadu. The temple is reached via the Pamban Bridge (Pamban Palam) across the sea. Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga Temple is visited by both Vaishnavites and Shaivites, and is regarded as the Banaras of the south.
Significance of Rameshwaram Temple
Rameshwaram is a highly revered pilgrimage center for the Hindus and is believed to be the place from where Lord Rama built a bridge across the sea (known as Adam’s Bridge) to save his consort Sita from Ravana. Also, this is the place where Lord Ram worshipped Lord Shiva to wash away the sin he committed by killing Ravana.
Architecture – Longest Temple Corridor in India
Rameshwaram Shiva Temple is a 17th century ancient Hindu temple and a typical example of Dravidian style of architecture. Situated near the sea on the eastern side of the island, the temple is renowned for its towering gopurams, huge walls and a gigantic Nandi Bull and also recognized for the largest temple corridor in India. Extending to about 4000 feet in length, this pillared corridor has about 4000 pillars. These granite pillars are built on a raised platform and are carved with beautiful images.
The eastern Rajagopuram rises to a height of about 126 feet and has nine levels. To worship the presiding deity of Lord Ramanatha, pilgrims enter through the eastern gopuram. The idol of Lord Hanuman is seen here. Next is the Nandi Mandapa enshrining the flag staff and the Nandi. The huge image of this celestial bull is made of lime stone. The Nandi is flanked by the images of the ocean gods, Mahodathi and Ratnakara. On either side of the sanctum are the shrines of Vinayaka and Subramanya. Inside the sanctum is the idol of Ramanathaswamy whose Shiva Linga has marks of Hanuman’s tail. Decorated with silver kavacha, the Shivling is offered abhishekam with the holy Ganga water.
A canopy is seen in the front mandapa, which has carved images of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman with the two Lingas brought from Kailas, and Sugriva who appears in the position of informing Rama about Hanuman’s return. The other canopies in the front hall are decorated with elegantly carved figures of Hanuman, Gandhamadhana Linga and Agastya Linga.
Parvathavardhini
The idol of Parvathavardhini, who is the consort of Lord Ramanatha, is enshrined separately to His right. A Sri Chakra is installed inside. The significance of the shrine is that the idol of the Goddess is situated to the right of the Lord’s shrine. The idol is beautifully decorated on Fridays and taken around the temple corridor in a golden palanquin.
Vishwanatha and Visalakshi
Lord Vishwanatha or Vishwalinga shrine is located to the north of Ramalinga shrine. This is said to be one of the two Lingas brought by Hanuman from Mount Kailash. Custom is that Pujas are first performed to Vishwalinga and then to Ramalinga. Visalakshi, the consort of Vishwanatha, is enshrined in the first inner corridor.
Sayanagruha (Palliyarai)
Close to the Visalakshi shrine, in the north-eastern corner of the corridor, is the Sayanagruha. From the main shrine, the golden image of the Lord is brought here every night and placed in the Oonjal (swing) next to the Devi’s golden idol. Sayana puja and the early morning puja are performed here.
Other Shrines
There are also shrines dedicated to SethuMadhava and Goddess Lakshmi. Sethu Madhava is also called as Sweta Madhava. The term Sweta means white stone with which the image is made.
Rameswaram Theertham (Water Springs)
There are 64 Theerthams in Rameswaram, of which 22 Tirthas are inside the Rameshwaram Temple. These springs are said to possess curative properties. It is said that these theerthams were created by Lord Rama when he fired arrows in the sand. A holy dip in these springs is considered to be of great significance.
Puja Timings
The temple is opened from 5.00 AM to 1.00 PM and from 3.00 PM to 9.00 PM.
Temple Festivals
Major festivals celebrated here are Thai Amavasi (January), Sivarathiri (February - March), Thirukalyanam (July - August) and Mahalaya Amavasi (September).
How to Reach Rameshwaram Temple
Nearest domestic airport is at Madurai which is 173 km from Rameswaram Shiva Temple. Madurai is the nearest railhead. Two trains ply daily between Rameswaram and Madurai.
Rameshwaram is well connected by road to all main towns. The island-town is connected to the mainland by the Pamban Bridge. Rameshwaram is 527 km from Chennai, 173 km from Madurai, 315 km from Kanyakumari and 273 km from Tiruchirapalli.
Rameswaram Temple Contact Details
The Executive Officer
Ramanathaswamy Temple
Rameshwaram
Pincode – 623526
Contact Phone Number +91 - 4573 – 221223
Significance of Rameshwaram Temple
Rameshwaram is a highly revered pilgrimage center for the Hindus and is believed to be the place from where Lord Rama built a bridge across the sea (known as Adam’s Bridge) to save his consort Sita from Ravana. Also, this is the place where Lord Ram worshipped Lord Shiva to wash away the sin he committed by killing Ravana.
Architecture – Longest Temple Corridor in India
Rameshwaram Shiva Temple is a 17th century ancient Hindu temple and a typical example of Dravidian style of architecture. Situated near the sea on the eastern side of the island, the temple is renowned for its towering gopurams, huge walls and a gigantic Nandi Bull and also recognized for the largest temple corridor in India. Extending to about 4000 feet in length, this pillared corridor has about 4000 pillars. These granite pillars are built on a raised platform and are carved with beautiful images.
The eastern Rajagopuram rises to a height of about 126 feet and has nine levels. To worship the presiding deity of Lord Ramanatha, pilgrims enter through the eastern gopuram. The idol of Lord Hanuman is seen here. Next is the Nandi Mandapa enshrining the flag staff and the Nandi. The huge image of this celestial bull is made of lime stone. The Nandi is flanked by the images of the ocean gods, Mahodathi and Ratnakara. On either side of the sanctum are the shrines of Vinayaka and Subramanya. Inside the sanctum is the idol of Ramanathaswamy whose Shiva Linga has marks of Hanuman’s tail. Decorated with silver kavacha, the Shivling is offered abhishekam with the holy Ganga water.
A canopy is seen in the front mandapa, which has carved images of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman with the two Lingas brought from Kailas, and Sugriva who appears in the position of informing Rama about Hanuman’s return. The other canopies in the front hall are decorated with elegantly carved figures of Hanuman, Gandhamadhana Linga and Agastya Linga.
Parvathavardhini
The idol of Parvathavardhini, who is the consort of Lord Ramanatha, is enshrined separately to His right. A Sri Chakra is installed inside. The significance of the shrine is that the idol of the Goddess is situated to the right of the Lord’s shrine. The idol is beautifully decorated on Fridays and taken around the temple corridor in a golden palanquin.
Vishwanatha and Visalakshi
Lord Vishwanatha or Vishwalinga shrine is located to the north of Ramalinga shrine. This is said to be one of the two Lingas brought by Hanuman from Mount Kailash. Custom is that Pujas are first performed to Vishwalinga and then to Ramalinga. Visalakshi, the consort of Vishwanatha, is enshrined in the first inner corridor.
Sayanagruha (Palliyarai)
Close to the Visalakshi shrine, in the north-eastern corner of the corridor, is the Sayanagruha. From the main shrine, the golden image of the Lord is brought here every night and placed in the Oonjal (swing) next to the Devi’s golden idol. Sayana puja and the early morning puja are performed here.
Other Shrines
There are also shrines dedicated to SethuMadhava and Goddess Lakshmi. Sethu Madhava is also called as Sweta Madhava. The term Sweta means white stone with which the image is made.
Rameswaram Theertham (Water Springs)
There are 64 Theerthams in Rameswaram, of which 22 Tirthas are inside the Rameshwaram Temple. These springs are said to possess curative properties. It is said that these theerthams were created by Lord Rama when he fired arrows in the sand. A holy dip in these springs is considered to be of great significance.
Puja Timings
The temple is opened from 5.00 AM to 1.00 PM and from 3.00 PM to 9.00 PM.
Temple Festivals
Major festivals celebrated here are Thai Amavasi (January), Sivarathiri (February - March), Thirukalyanam (July - August) and Mahalaya Amavasi (September).
How to Reach Rameshwaram Temple
Nearest domestic airport is at Madurai which is 173 km from Rameswaram Shiva Temple. Madurai is the nearest railhead. Two trains ply daily between Rameswaram and Madurai.
Rameshwaram is well connected by road to all main towns. The island-town is connected to the mainland by the Pamban Bridge. Rameshwaram is 527 km from Chennai, 173 km from Madurai, 315 km from Kanyakumari and 273 km from Tiruchirapalli.
Rameswaram Temple Contact Details
The Executive Officer
Ramanathaswamy Temple
Rameshwaram
Pincode – 623526
Contact Phone Number +91 - 4573 – 221223
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