Rameswaram, an island town in Tamil Nadu, is home to the Ramanathaswamy temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and one of the four dhams of Adi Shankaracharya. It holds a special place for devotees of both Shiva and Rama.
This article is based on religious beliefs and traditions. Democratic Bharat Live does not claim to verify them.
The legend
According to the Ramayana tradition, Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here to seek forgiveness for killing Ravana, who was a Brahmin. Hanuman was sent to bring a lingam from Mount Kailash. When he was delayed, Sita made a lingam from sand, which Rama worshipped. This is the Ramalingam. The lingam brought by Hanuman, called Vishwalingam, was also installed, and by tradition it is worshipped first.
The temple
The temple is known for its huge corridors with rows of carved pillars, often described as among the longest temple corridors in India. The temple was expanded by rulers of the region over several centuries, including the Sethupathi kings of Ramanathapuram.
The 22 theerthams
The temple complex has 22 holy wells, called theerthams. Pilgrims bathe with water from each well in turn before darshan. Temple staff pour water from buckets for devotees, for a fee. Agni Theertham, the sea in front of the temple, is where pilgrims take a holy dip first.
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Darshan tips
- Mornings are less crowded. Special darshan tickets are often available.
- Wear traditional clothing. Wet clothes from the theertham bath are changed before entering the sanctum.
- Mobile phones may not be allowed inside.
Places to visit
- **Dhanushkodi:** the tip of the island, about 20 km away, with the ruins of a town destroyed in the 1964 cyclone
- **Dr APJ Abdul Kalam National Memorial**, honouring the former President who was born in Rameswaram
- **Panchmukhi Hanuman temple** and **Gandhamadhana Parvatham**
- **Pamban Bridge:** the new vertical lift railway sea bridge, opened in April 2025, next to the old cantilever bridge built in 1914
How to reach
- **Rail:** Rameswaram railway station connects to Madurai and Chennai, over the Pamban sea bridge.
- **Road:** the Annai Indira Gandhi road bridge connects the island to the mainland.
- **Air:** Madurai airport is about 170 km away.
Bottom line
Rameswaram combines faith, history and scenic beauty. Plan for the theertham bath, an early darshan and a trip to Dhanushkodi.
Source / स्रोत: Tamil Nadu Tourism, Incredible India
