Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple

Introduction

Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram, on Pamban Island in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, is one of the holiest shrines in India. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Sri Ramanathaswamy – "the Lord worshipped by Rama" – and the temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Rameswaram is also one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage centres, together with Badrinath, Dwarka and Puri, which makes it sacred to Shaivas and Vaishnavas alike. The temple is administered by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.

Main Deities – Two Lingams

The temple has two principal Lingams. The Ramalingam, the main deity, is believed to have been shaped from sand by Goddess Sita and installed by Sri Rama himself. The Vishwalingam, believed to have been brought from Mount Kailash by Hanuman, is enshrined nearby; by Rama's own instruction, it is worshipped first, before the Ramalingam. The Goddess is worshipped here as Sri Parvathavardhini Amman. A special early-morning darshan of the Spatika Lingam (crystal Lingam) is also offered each day.

Sthala Puranam (Legend)

According to tradition, after defeating Ravana and rescuing Sita, Sri Rama returned to this shore. Because Ravana was a Brahmin, Rama wished to atone for the sin of having killed him, and the sages advised him to worship Lord Shiva here. Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring a Lingam. When Hanuman was delayed and the auspicious time drew near, Sita shaped a Lingam from the sand of the shore, and Rama worshipped it.

When Hanuman returned with the Lingam from Kailash, he was disappointed. To honour his devotion, Rama installed Hanuman's Lingam as well, naming it Vishwalingam, and decreed that it should be worshipped first. Both Lingams remain in the temple to this day.

Tradition also holds that Rameswaram is where Rama's army built the bridge (Rama Setu) to Lanka, and many places on the island – such as Dhanushkodi and Ramar Patham – are linked with the Ramayana.

The Great Corridors

The temple is world-famous for its magnificent corridors (prakarams). The outer corridor is among the longest temple corridors in the world, lined on both sides by tall, intricately carved pillars on raised platforms, stretching into the distance in long, majestic perspectives. The complex covers a large area with towering gopurams, and much of its present form – including the famous corridors – was built over several centuries with the patronage of the Sethupathi rulers of Ramanathapuram, who were the hereditary guardians of the temple.

The 22 Theerthams

Within the temple there are 22 sacred theerthams – wells and tanks, each believed to have its own spiritual power. By tradition, pilgrims first bathe in the sea at Agni Theertham, just outside the temple, and then go from well to well inside the temple, where attendants pour water from each theertham over them, before going for darshan in wet clothes. Bathing in all 22 theerthams is believed to wash away sins and purify body and mind.

Kashi–Rameswaram Pilgrimage

Rameswaram is closely linked with Kashi (Varanasi) in an ancient pilgrimage tradition. Pilgrims traditionally bathe in the sea at Rameswaram, collect sand from the shore to offer in the Ganga at Kashi, and bring Ganga water from Kashi to offer to Sri Ramanathaswamy – completing the sacred journey between north and south.

Festivals

• Maha Shivaratri (February–March): celebrated with special abhishekams and worship through the night.
• Thirukalyanam (Aadi month, July–August): the celestial wedding of Sri Ramanathaswamy and Sri Parvathavardhini Amman, the temple's grand annual festival.
• Navaratri (September–October): special alankarams and pujas for the Goddess.

Temple Timings

• The temple opens very early in the morning, begins with the Spatika Lingam darshan, and is open in the morning and again in the afternoon and evening, with a midday break.
• Theertham bathing is allowed only during set hours. Timings change on festival days, so please check the official temple website before your visit.

How to Reach

By Road: Rameswaram is connected to the mainland by the Pamban road bridge. It is about 175 km from Madurai, and buses and taxis run from Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Tiruchirappalli and Chennai.

By Train: Rameswaram railway station is close to the temple, with trains from Madurai, Chennai and other cities. The rail journey across the sea on the Pamban bridge is a memorable experience.

By Air: the nearest airport is Madurai Airport (IXM), about 175 km away.

Visitor Information

• Dress code: traditional attire is expected – dhoti or pyjama with an upper cloth for men, and saree or churidar with dupatta for women.
• Theertham bath: carry a change of clothes; changing rooms and lockers are available near the temple.
• Best time to visit: October to April, when the weather is milder.
• Crowds: new-moon (Amavasya) days, especially Aadi and Thai Amavasya, draw very large crowds for ancestral rites; weekends and festivals are also busy.
• Nearby places: Agni Theertham, Dhanushkodi, Ramar Patham, the Pamban bridges, the Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Memorial, and – on the way – the Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai.