Char Dham Spotlight: Discover the Sacred Power of Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple

 

Location

• Town: Rameswaram, on Pamban Island
• District: Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu
• Access: Connected to mainland India via the Pamban Bridge; reachable by road, rail, and nearby airports (Madurai, Trichy)

Deities and Subshrines

• Main Deity: Ramanathaswamy (Lord Shiva as a Jyotirlinga)
• Consort: Parvatavardhini (Goddess Parvati)
• Subshrines:
• Viswanatha and Visalakshi
• Sethumadhava Perumal (Vishnu shrine)
• Ganesha, Subrahmanya, Nataraja, and Dakshinamurthy
• Navagrahas and Lingams installed by Rama and Sita
• 22 Theerthams (sacred water bodies) for ritual bathing

Temple Significance

• Jyotirlinga Shrine: One of the twelve most sacred Shiva temples in India
• Char Dham Pilgrimage: Rameswaram is one of the four holiest destinations alongside Badrinath, Dwarka, and Puri
• Ramayana Connection:
• Lord Rama worshipped Shiva here to absolve the sin of killing Ravana
• Rama is believed to have installed the lingam himself
• Spiritual Beliefs:
• Bathing in the 22 theerthams is said to purify sins
• Pilgrims often visit Rameswaram before or after Kashi to complete ancestral rites
• Architectural Grandeur:
• Renowned for its longest temple corridor in India (over 1,200 meters)
• Features ornate pillars, mandapams, and Dravidian-style gopurams

History

• Ancient Origins: The temple’s roots trace back to the Pandya dynasty, with contributions from rulers of Jaffna (Sri Lanka) and later Nayak kings of Madurai.
• Royal Patronage: Successive dynasties expanded the temple, adding mandapams, gopurams, and the famed corridors.
• Pilgrimage Legacy: It became a key stop in the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, alongside Badrinath, Dwarka, and Puri.

Legends

• Ramayana Connection:
• After defeating Ravana, Lord Rama sought to absolve the sin of killing a Brahmin by worshipping Lord Shiva here.
• Rama instructed Hanuman to bring a lingam from Kailasa, but due to delay, Sita made a sand lingam which became the main deity.
• Sacred Duality: The temple houses both the lingam brought by Hanuman and the sand lingam made by Sita, symbolizing devotion and dharma.
• Theerthams: The temple’s 22 sacred wells are believed to have been created by Rama’s arrow and are used for ritual purification.

Architecture

• Dravidian Style: The temple exemplifies South Indian temple architecture with towering gopurams, pillared halls, and sculpted sanctums.
• Longest Corridor in India:
• Measures over 1,200 meters with 1,212 intricately carved granite pillars
• A visual and spiritual highlight for pilgrims and visitors.
• Sacred Layout:
• Multiple shrines for Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, and other deities
• Temple tank and theerthams integrated into the complex
• Artistic Grandeur: The temple’s symmetry, scale, and stonework have been praised by historians like James Fergusson as a pinnacle of Dravidian design.

Daily Rituals

• Six Kaala Poojas: Performed daily as per Shaiva Agama traditions
• Kalasanthi, Uchikalam, Sayarakshai, Arthajama, and two intermediate poojas
• Abhishekam: Ritual bathing of the lingam with sacred substances
• Alankaram: Deity is adorned with flowers, silk, and jewels
• Deepa Aradhana: Lamp offerings with Vedic chants
• Theertham Bathing:
• Pilgrims bathe in the 22 sacred wells (theerthams) inside the temple before darshan
• Each well is believed to have unique healing and purifying properties

Major Festivals

• Maha Shivaratri (Feb–Mar): 12-day celebration with night-long poojas and cultural programs
• Vasanthotsavam (May–Jun): Spring festival with floral decorations and processions
• Rama Linga Pratishtha Day: Commemorates Rama installing the lingam
• Navaratri & Diwali: Celebrated with temple illumination and special poojas
• Monthly Pradosham & Pournami: Observed with special abhishekams and rituals
• Karthigai Deepam: Festival of lights celebrated in the Tamil month of Karthigai

Beliefs

• Sin Absolution: Worship at Ramanathaswamy is believed to absolve even Brahmahatya dosha (sin of killing a Brahmin), as Rama did after killing Ravana
• Kashi–Rameswaram Pilgrimage: Devotees who visit Kashi are expected to complete their pilgrimage by worshipping at Rameswaram
• Theertham Purification: Bathing in the temple’s wells is said to cleanse physical and spiritual impurities
• Sand Lingam: The main deity is believed to be the lingam made by Sita, symbolizing divine devotion and purity
• Moksha Gateway: Considered a sacred gateway to liberation (moksha) for ancestors and devotees

Temple Hours

• Morning: 4:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Evening: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Getting There

• By Road:
• Rameswaram is connected via the Pamban Bridge to mainland Tamil Nadu
• Regular buses from Madurai, Trichy, and Chennai
• By Train:
• Rameswaram Railway Station is well-connected to major cities
• Popular trains include Sethu Express and Rameswaram Express
• By Air:
• Nearest airport: Madurai Airport (~170 km)
• Taxis and buses available from airport to temple
• Local Transport:
• Autos, cycle rickshaws, and cabs available
• Ample parking near temple entrance

Tips

• Best Time to Visit: Early morning for peaceful darshan; Maha Shivaratri and Karthigai Deepam for festive experience
• Theertham Bathing:
• Begin with ritual bathing in the 22 sacred wells inside the temple
• Carry a change of clothes and towel
• Footwear: Must be left at designated counters before entering
• Dress Code: Traditional attire preferred; modest clothing required
• Nearby Attractions:
• Dhanushkodi (mythical bridge site)
• Sethumadhava Perumal Temple
• Pamban Bridge and APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial