History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Festivals, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Ramanathswamy Temple, Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, India
Rameswaram temple or Ramanathaswamy Temple is most prominent shrine of sacred land Rameswaram - one of the Char Dham Yatra and houses one of the twelve Jyotirlinga. Ramanathaswamy Temple is believed to be one of the most holy shrine of India since the Ramayana time as this site is associated with Lord Shree Ram and Ma Devi Sita. Thus millions of devotee and tourist around the world visits here throughout the year which makes this shrine as one of the most visited place in South India. This is a temple solely dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Rameshwaram - small island connected to the mainland via Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu. Adi Sankaracharya had established one of the Math here in Rameshwaram, and one of the Char Dham site along with Dwaka, Puri and Badrinath. Thus, Rameswaram is highly sacred site for both Shaivites, Vaishnavites sect. Along with main shrine, temple has 22 teertham – sacred water body, also represent the 22 arrows in Rama’s quiver, it is said that devotee has to bath first and then go for the darshan in main temple.
As per the legend, Lord Shree Ram the seventh incarnation of Supreme Lord Vishnu, had built a bridge from Rameswaram to Sri Lanka on the sea to release Mata Sita from Demon King Ravana. In battle of Lord Shri Ram and Ravana, God Ram had killed the Demon King Ravana – also the great devotee of Lord Shiva and Brahman. Thus, Lord Rama wanted to worship Lord Shiva in order to be free from the sin of killing the Demon King Ravan. Shree Ram had sent Hanuman to bring the Shivlinga from Himalaya which took more time thus Ma Devi Sita had prepared the Shivlinga from sand and then Lord Ram worshiped lord Shiva along with Ma Devi Sita to penitence for Brahmahatya - killing of Brahmana. There are two Shivling installed in the temple, one is Ramalingam placed by Mata Sita built by sand and second one is Viswalingam brought by Lord Hanuman replica of Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirling and installed by Lord Rama. So Rameswaram is said to be Varanasi of South India. It is also believed that Lord Rama instructed to the devotees to first worship the Vishwalingam than Ramalingam as the Vishwalingam – crystal lingam was brought by Hanuman and today also the same tradition is being followed.
The current Dravidian style structure of Sri Ramanathaswamy temple is spread across 15 acres of land. The majestic pillars, vast corridors, walls and gopurams attracts every visitor. The exacts dates and ruler of temple construction is not known but it is said that various ruler of Chola, Pandya, Vijaynagar and Jaffna kingdom had constructed and expanded the temple between 12 to 18th century mainly. Temple has intricate carved granite walls. Temple is surrounded by gigantic walls on all the four sides with height of around 865 feet to 657 feet. There are about 1212 pillars in the outer corridor with a height of 30 feet and the main tower of Rajagopuram has a height of 53 meter. The outer corridors of Rameshwaram temple is the longest in the world. In east and west side of temple majestic Gopuram and finished gate towers on the northern and southern side. Another key feature is the paved way from western gopuram to Setumadhava shrine is in the form of a chess board, creates a unique view. It is called as Chokkattan Mandapam where deities are placed during the Spring Festival. Another important massive idol of Nandi with a height of 17.5 feet and a length and width of 23 and 12 feet attracts everyone. Within the temple, there are separate shrines constructed for Ramanathswamy, Visalakshi, Parvathavardhini, Santanaganpathi, Mahaganapathi, Subrahmanya, Sethumadhava, Mahalaxmi, Natraja and Anjaneya. This is how Ramanathswamy temple is known for its intricate works, majestic towers and corridors with excellent example of architecture. Thus, it is considered as one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture.
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Dhanushkodi Temple, Temple Tanks, Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Agneeteertham, Rama Teerth, Lakshman Teerth, Pamban Bridge Gandhamathana Parvattha, Dhanushkodi etc, are the must visit place nearby Rameswaram.
The important festivals of Rameswaram temple are Maha Shivratri, Adi Ramalinga Prathista, Adi Thirukalayanam and floating festival on Thai Poosam night in Lakshmana Theertham tank on the Western side of the temple. Apart from these annual festivals, first day of the Tamil month Thai around in Jan – Feb and first day of Chithirai – around in Apr – May are celebrated in this temple with great zeal.
How to reach Rameswaram Temple, Tamil Nadu, India
As Rameswaram is one of the Char Dham and one of the twelve Jyotirlinga place, so major pilgrimage destination of South India, thus it is very well connected via Road, Rail and Air network. You can find regular buses and private vehicle to reach here from all major cities of Tamil Nadu and other main cities of India. Madurai airport is the nearest domestic airport at 170 km Chennai international airport from where you can get taxi to reach Rameswarma. Mandapam railway station is just 2 Km away from the temple which is connected to Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy and Thanjavur via road network.
