Located on Rameswaram island, Tamil Nadu, Ramanathaswamy Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple and the island of Rameswaram have acquired this name because, Lord Rama worshiped Lord Shiva, the God of Gods here on return from Sri Lanka. Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of the twelve Jyothirlinga temples in India. The temple is said to have been sanctioned for construction by King Kizhavan Sethupathi.
After killing Ravana (a brahmin), Lord Rama arrived at Rameshwaram from Lanka with his wife Sita. To expiate the 'kukarma' or 'dosha' of killing a brahmin, he wanted to worship Lord Shiva. Since there was no Shivling in Rameshwaram, he sent Hanuman to get the biggest Shivling from the Himalayas. Since it took him a long time to return, Sita made a shivling with mud and sand that became the original Rameshwaram shivalingam.This Temple is part of f...View more
The temple, spread over an area of 15 acres , has lofty gopurams, massive walls and a collossal Nandi. Rameswaram also boasts of a 4000 feet long pillared corridor with over 4000 pillars, supposedly the longest in the world. The carved granite pillars are mounted on a raised platform. What is unique about this corridor is that the rock is not indigenous to the island and it was brought in from elsewhere in Tamilnadu across the sea. Th...View more
Rameswaram has great religious and geographical significance. The culture here could be specified as an amalgamation of vaishnavite and shaivite practices. Festivals are celebrated as per the Tamil calendar. Annual car festivals and community fairs are celebrated with huge following. Fact that the temple is also located at a tourist spot, has made the city open to foreign culture too.
Language Spoken:Tamil and English
Madurai Airport is around 3 Hours journey by road. Rameshwaram is connected by rail with most major cities and railway station is at walking distance from the temple. One may also choose to hire jeeps, auto and cycle rickshaws to the Shrine.
Mani Lingam darshan is allowed everyday from 5.00 AM to 6.00 AM.
Palliyarai ( Sayanangriha) Procession of Swami and the Palliyarai Pooja
for Swami and Ambal in the Sayanagriha in Ambal Shrine are performed
between 8.45 PM and 9.00 PM everyday.
Kalasha Abhishekam, Rudrabhishekam, Panchamrit Abhishekam are also performed.
Ganga Water in Brass, Copper or Bronze Vessel. Panchamrit Abhishekam is also offered.
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