Om Namah Shivaya!
A long-time dream come true – That’s what I felt when I reached Shri Ramanatha Swamy Temple popularly known as Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga! I felt a divine presence, as a connection to the eternal. Each step was to the divine. I clubbed it along with the visit to Madurai Meenakshi temple. The journey to Rameshwaram itself was a treat, crossing the Pamban Bridge, and reaching the island was so mesmerising.
About Shri Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga / Rameshwaram Temple
Rameshwaram is a small town in Tamil Nadu, surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The Ramanatha Swamy Temple is one among the Char Dhams and thus it gains more importance. It is equally important for Shaivistes and Vashnavites.
Quick Information
| Nearest Airport | Madurai (IXM) – Approximately 150 km |
| Travel Time from Madurai | Approximately 3 Hours |
| Travel Options from Madurai | Private taxi services are available from the airport |
| Nearest Railway Station | Rameshwaram (Station Code – RMM) – Approximately 2 Kms |
| Travel Options | Taxi, Auto Rikshaw |
| Nearest Bus Station | Rameshwaram Bus Station is well connected with all the major cities in Tamil Nadu |
| Dress Code | Traditional dress is advised to be worn |
| Temple Timings | 05:00 AM to 01:00 PM and 03:00 PM to 09:00 PM |
History and Legends
It is believed that Lord Rama after he returned victorious from Lanka, wanted to absolve any sins he may have committed. He being a Shiva bhakta prayed to Lord Shiva and installed the Lingam there which was brought by Hanuman from the Himalayas.
There is another version also. It’s said that Lord Rama got the blessings of Lord Shiva from this place before he built the bridge to Lanka. Both these have references in Valmiki Ramayana and Adhyathma Ramayana respectively.
It is believed that the construction of the present temple started somewhere in the early 12th century and continued till the 17th century. Its nearly impossible to find the correct dates.
Deity – Shri Ramanatha Swamy Temple / Shri Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga
The divine lingam, a manifestation of Lord Shiva, is housed within the sacred walls of the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram. Legend and devotion are intertwined, since it is said that Goddess Sita handcrafted this lingam and Lord Rama installed it, immortalizing their prayers to Lord Shiva.
Another revered lingam, the Vishwalingam or Hanumanlinga, exists in this abode as a witness to Hanuman’s devotion, having been brought all the way from Kailash.
The temple’s significance extends beyond Lord Shiva’s abode, with temples devoted to the Goddess Visalakshi, the nurturing Parvathavardhini, the auspicious Lord Vinayaka, and the heroic Lord Subramanya.
The celestial presence of Nandi, a majestic statue standing 17.5 feet tall and 23 and 12 feet long and wide, captivates pilgrims with its spiritual essence and unmatched sculptural beauty.
As one walks around the temple, one will come across shrines dedicated to Parvathavardhini, Vishwanatha, and Visalakshi, the sacred Sayanagruha (Palliyarai), the revered Jyothirlinga, and the historic Sethumadava.
But it’s not just the deities that attract pilgrims; the temple’s sacred tanks, which contain 22 theerthams, have a magnetic pull on devotees seeking penance for their past crimes. Among these, the Agni Theertham stands above all, recognized as one of the most holy of the sacred waters, attracting pilgrims from all over the world to purify their souls.
It was just after the COVID situation that I went there and so did not get a chance to take the dip in the holy water.
Architectural Marvels at Shri Ramanatha Swamy Temple, Rameshwaram
Shri Ramanatha Swamy Temple, Rameshwaram, located in the heart of Rameshwaram, is a monument to the awe-inspiring Dravidian architectural style, which was meticulously built with limestone and granite.
The temple is surrounded by a towering wall that measures 85 feet from east to west and 675 feet from north to south, evoking the protective embrace typical in South Indian temple architecture.
Upon entering, one is greeted by the grandeur of long hallways that cross the immense width of the temple compound. The first corridor, elevated on a 5-foot-high platform, flows effortlessly into the temple’s interior.
The second corridor, with its sandstone columns and beams supporting a grand roof, exudes ageless splendor.
However, it is the third corridor that truly amazes me, as it is considered the world’s largest, taking pilgrims to the venerated Sethumadhav temple located to the west and spanning an incredible length of nearly 197 meters.
The outside of the Ramanathaswamy Temple is decorated with an incredible number of 1212 columns that stand proudly as guardians of the sacred sanctuary. The Rajagopuram, the main tower that rises to 53 meters, dominates the skyline, a beacon of devotion and architectural expertise!
Twenty-four wells have been constructed within the temple. Other wells placed around the temple contain salt water. However, the water from the temple’s wells is sweet.
These wells were made using Lord Rama’s arrows. He asked for water from various pilgrimage locations and put it into the wells. So, these wells are termed pilgrimages.
Attractions nearby:
- Ramar Patham
- Rameshwaram Boating
- Sangumal Beach
- Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial
- Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam House
- Pamban Bridge & Rail Scissors Bridge
- Kothanda Ramar temple
- Dhanuskodi
There are guides available there, but I couldn’t find any government-authorized guys. Still, I did take the help of a guide and took a cab for the sightseeing from Ramanatha Swamy temple.
Accommodation and Food:
There are lots of decent hotels in all budgets available in Rameshwaram.
- Sremethila Hotels
- Hotel Arjuna
- SS Grand Hotel
- Rameshwaram Grand
- TTDC Rameshwaram (Tamil-Nadu Tourism Hotel)
The food is quite good, there are veg and non-veg options available. Please beware of the drinking water. Always try to buy bottled water.
You can do a bit of shopping near the APJ Abdul Kalam house.
The temple is one of the holiest Hindu Char Dham (four heavenly locations) that include Badrinath, Puri, Dwarka, and Rameshwaram.
