Historical information

The temple was built as Dravidian architecture Style. Like all ancient temples in South India, there is high compound wall (madil) on all four sides of the temple premises measuring about 865 feet long from east to west and one along of 657 feet from north to south with huge towers (Gopurams) to east and west and finished gate towers to the north and south. The temple has striking longest corridors in its interior, running between huge colonnades on platforms above five feet high.

The second corridor is formed by sandstone pillars, beams and ceiling. The junction of third corridor on the west and the paved way leading from the western Gopuram to Lord Sethumadhava temple forms unique structure in form of chess board, popularly known as Chokkattan Mandapam, where the Utsavam of deities are adorned, stored during the Vasanthotsavam (Spring festival), which is on 6th day of festival in Adi (July–August) and Masa (February–March) conducted by the Setupati of Ramnad.

The outer set of corridors is reputed to be the longest in the world, measuring of 6.9 m in height, 400 feet each in east and west and is 640 feet in north and south. The inner corridors measuring at 224 feet each in east and west and at 352 feet each in north and south. Their width varies from 15.5 feet to 17 feet in the east and west with 172 feet on north and south with width varying 14.5 feet to 17 feet. The total length of these corridors is thus 3850 feet. There are total of 1212 pillars in the outer corridor. Their height is above 30 feet from the floor to the center of the roof. The main tower or Rajagopuram is 53 metres tall. Most pillars are carved with individual compositions. At early periods lord Ramanathaswamy Temple was in thatched shed. The present structure was the work of many individuals spread over number of centuries. The pride of this place is in the establishment of Temple which relates to the King or Setupati of Ramanathapuram. In 17th century then the Dalavai Setupati built one portion of the main eastern Gopuram. In late eighteenth century, the world famous third corridor was constructed by then Muthu Ramalinga Setupati who lived for forty nine years and ruled between 1763 and 1795. The corridor was called “Chokkattan Mandapam”. The Mukhya Pradhan (Chief Minister) was Muthuirullappa Pillai and the Chinna Pradhan (Deputy Chief Minister) was Krishna Iyengar. The Setupati statue and those of his two Pradhan’s (ministers) can be seen at the western entrance of the third corridor.

There are separate Temples for Lord Ramanathaswamy and his consort goddess Parvathavardhini separated by corridor. There are separate Temples for the goddess Vishalakshi, also utsavam images, Shayanagriha for Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganesha. There are various halls inside this temple, namely Anuppu Mandapam, Sukravara Mandapam, Setupati Mandapam, Kalyana Mandapam and Nandi Mandapam.

Significance Of Diety

Theerthams inside Rameshwaram Temple
According to the words of scriptures there are totally 64 theerthas(sacred water bodies) in and around Rameswaram. Out of them twenty two theerthas situated inside the Ramanathaswamy Temple premises. The names of the 22 theethas in Rameswaram temple with their respective location is given below:

1. Mahalakshmi Theertham :
   South of the Hanuman Temple
2. Savithri Theertham :
   West of the Hanuman Temple
3. Gayathri Theertham :
   West of the Hanuman Temple
4. Saraswathi Theertham :
   West of the Hanuman Temple
5. Sakkara Theertham :
   In the second corridor of the Temple
6. Sethu Madhava Theertham :
   This theertham is located as a Pond in the third corridor
7. Nala Theertham :
   Near Sethumadhava Temple. (Between third and second corridor)
8. Neela Theertham :
   Near Sethumadhava Temple. (Between third and second corridor)
9. Gavaya Theertham :
   Near Sethumadhava Temple. (Between third and second corridor)
10. Kavatcha Theertham :
    Near Sethumadhava Temple. (Between third and second corridor)
11. Gandhamadana Theertham :
    Near Sethumadhava Temple. (Between third and second corridor)
12. Brahmahathi Vimochana Theertham :
    Near Sethumadhava Temple. (Between third and second corridor)
13. Sooriya Theertham :
    Near Sethumadhava Temple. (Between third and second corridor)
14. Chandra Theertham :
    Near Sethumadhava Temple. (Between third and second corridor)
15. Satyamirtha Theertham :
    In the second corridor of the Temple
16. Siva Theertham :
    In the second corridor of the Temple
17. Sarva Theertham :
    In the second corridor of the Temple
18. Sanku Theertham :
    In the second corridor of the Temple
19. Gaya Theertham :
    In the second corridor of the Temple
20. Ganga Theertham :
    In the second corridor of the Temple
21. Yamuna Theertham :
    In the second corridor of the Temple
22. Kodi Theertham :
    In the first corridor of the Temple. (Bath passage provided in second corridor)

Temple Timings

• Morning - 5:00 A.M. to 01:00 P.M. and Evening - 3:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
  1. During The month of Margali (margashrisha Masa)this Temple opens very early in the Morning.
  2. Temple Closes During Eclipse days (Between eclipse Timings)

Darshan Timings

• Morning - 5:00 A.M. to 01:00 P.M. and Evening - 3:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

Seva Timings

1. Palliyarai Deepa Arathana - 5:00 A.M.
2. Spadigalinga Deepa Arathana - 5:10 A.M.
3. Thiruvananthal Deepa Arathana - 5:45 A.M.
4. Vila Pooja - 7:00 A.M.
5. Kalasanthi Pooja - 10:00 A.M.
6. Uchikala Pooja - 12:00 NOON
7. Sayaratcha Pooja - 6:00 P.M.
8. Arthajama Pooja - 8.30 P.M.
9. Palliyarai Pooja - 8:45 P.M.

Location

Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple
Rameswaram,
Ramanathapuram, District,
Tamil Nadu.
Pincode : 623526

Directions

Ramanathaswamy Temple is Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on Rameswaram island in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Travel Mode

By Road :
The city is well connected to Madurai, Kanyakumari, Chennai and Trichy. It is also connected to Pondicherry and Thanjavur via Madurai.
While traveling within township, you may hire jeeps, auto rickshaws and even cycle rickshaw.
By Rail :
Rameshwaram is connected by rail with Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Thanjavur and other important cities. The two kilometers stretch of Indira Gandhi Bridge connects island of Rameshwaram to the mainland of Mandapam.
Madurai to Rameswaram : 167 K.M., Chennai to Rameswaram : 596 K.M.
By Air :
The nearest airport is Madurai, which is 163 km from Rameshwaram.

Nearby Temples

1. Arulmigu SubramaniaSwamy Temple, Thiruchendur :
   Tiruchendur Murugan temple is known as second Arupadai Veedu of Lord Muruga. Lord Muruga won the battle with Asura, Surapadma and worshipped Lord Shiva in this sacred place. The temple is situated along the shores of the Bay of Bengal.
   Normally, the Raja Gopuram will be in the eastern side of temples in Tamil Nadu.whereas in Tiruchendur the Raja Gopuram is in the western side. It is said that the Raja Gopuram was not erected on the eastern side since the sea is very close on the eastern side.
   Mela Gopuram has nine storeys and it is about 137 feet high above Yalimattam, 90 feet long north to south and 65 feet broad east to west. Top of the Gopuram the width is 20 feet and the length is 49 feet. To indicate that the Gopuram consists of 9 storeys there are nine Kalashams (sacred copper pots) adorn the top of the Gopuram.
2. Arultharum Mutharamman Temple, Kulasekaranpatinam :
   In this temple Goddess Muththaramman and Swami Nganamoorthiswarar vigraham are installed combined with each other. This is also one of the special features of this temple. You will not be able to see such combined vigraham elsewhere. In Garbhagraha, Swami and Goddess are showering their blessings to the devotees as self manifested ( Swayambu Murthy's).
   The Sri Mutharamman Temple is located in Kulasekharapatnam near Thiruchendur in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. It is 300 years old. Navarathiri festival is considered as grandest festival in this temple. More than 1,500,000 devotees congregate and celebrate festivities here.This temple is Governed by Tamilnadu Government. About this name of Town which Literally means Kulasekarapandian(Maharaja)+Pattinam(town)/The town is named as Kulasekarapattinam when Maharaja Kulasekarapandian was ruling the city,one day he had the darshan of main Goddess directly. Henceforth the town has been named after the Maharaja.
3. Arulmigu Sankararameswarar Temple, Thoothukudi :
   Arulmigu Sankara Rameshvarar Temple is one of the ancient temples of Thoothukudi District, the city which is considered as the industrial area of South India.Arulmigu Sankara Rameshvarar is form of Lord Shivan .The temple is one of the oldest structures(above 700 years) in Thoothukudi.
   This temple is dedicated to LORD Shiva as Shankara Rameswara and Divine Mother Shakti as Arultharum Bagampriyal Udanurai Temple.People believe "Lord Shiva" and pray to him, they obtain relief of all their problems after offering prayers to this god. The famous about Arulmigu Sankara Rameshvarar Temple is "Prathosavam Pooja" which is famous among the Thoothukudi region.The main festival Arulmigu Sankara Rameshvarar Temple is in month of Chitra & Tamil New Year which is most famous among the Thoothukudi region.
4. Arulmigu Mariamman Temple, Irukangudi. :
   This temple is located between the two rivers Vaipparu and Arjuna. As two southeran Ganges meet here hence its name Irukkangudi. River Arjuna flowing in the Northern part of this temple originates at Mahalinga hills known as Vathira Iruppu hills in the west. According to “Thiruthankal Temple Lore” once upon time when Pancha Pandavas came here, Arjuna prayed to Goddess Ganga and split the earth with 'Varunakanai'(arrow) forming this river. The river which was formed as a result came to be known as Arjuna river.
   River Vaipparu flows in the Southern part of this temple. According to Uthira Kandam of Epic Ramayana. hunter named Sambukan indulged in deep penance amidst fire in Northern part of Sivasailam at the foot of Podhigai hills. As a result Brahman died at Ayodhi. Sri Raman, king of Ayodya killed Sambukan transported back the Brahman to life.
5. Arulmigu Andal Temple,Srivilliputhur :
   Srivilliputtur ‘OH’. The very name kindles our souls. It occupies the foremost place in 108 Divya Desams. It has glorious past. Both VISHNUCHITTAR who had been affectionately called “PERIA ALWAR” because of his love and dedication to LORD KRISHNA and his divine daughter ANDAL who stands for the unification of Microcasm and Macrocasm were born here. The legend is that Vaishnavites will prostrate before the person who utter the name of Srivilliputtur.
   Srivilliputtur is temple town and one of the 108 divya desams of Lord Sri Vishnu. To devotees and vaishnavites, Srivilliputtur is synonymous with Lord Vishnu, Periyalwar and Andal. It is an interesting place to any aesthetic person for enjoying the sculpture and ancient drawings in the temple. It gave –‘Tiruppavai’ of Andal and ‘Tirupallandu’ of Periyalvar- the hymns on Lord Vishnu to Tamil Literature. These Tamil hymns – Tamil Vedam-Alwar pasurams- are recited everyday at this temple.
6. Arulmigu Sundaramahalinga Swamy Temple, Sathuragiri :
   Sathuragiri Hills or Chathuragiri otherwise known as ' SUNDARA MAHALINGAM ' is situated 10 km from Watrap (Wathirairuppu) near Srivilliputhur. The name Sathuragiri came from Chathur (4) Veda (Vedas) Giri (Hill), where all the four Vedas met and formed this hill. Another meaning is that whole mountain is in square shape(Chathuram) hence he name Chathuragiri. Sathuragiri is the Abode of God. It is also called as Mahalingam Hill.
   This is also called as "Siddargal boomi". 18 Siddhas were used to live here. abode of god was in reclining position another god calls santhana mahalingam...up to 4 km periya mahalingam statue in forest and rivers navagraga stone in top of hill.The divine place Sathuragiri is surrounded by four hills, hence its name Sathuragiri or Chathuragiri.

Surrounding Places to Visit

1. Pamban Bridge :
   The Pamban Bridge ( Tamil: பாம்பன் பாலம்), is the railway bridge on Palk Strait which connects the town of Rameswaram on Pamban Island to mainland India. The bridge refers to both the road bridge with cantilever railway bridge, though primarily it means the latter. Opened on 24 February 1914, it was India's first sea bridge, and was the longest sea bridge in India until opening of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in 2010. The rail bridge is for the most part, conventional bridge resting on concrete piers, also has double leaf bascule section midway, which can be raised to let ships and barges pass through.
   
   
   
2. Danushkodi Beach :
   Dhanushkodi or Danushkodi is ghost town at the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island of the Tamil Nadu state of India.
   Dhanushkodi is situated to the South-East of Pamban. Danushkodi is about 18 miles (29 km) West of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. The Dhanushkodi railway line running from Pamban Station was destroyed in the 1964 cyclone along passenger train with over 100 passengers drowned in sea.
   The Hindu scripture Ramayana says that Lord Rama built this bridge or causeway, called Ram Setu or 'Rama's bridge', between the mainland and Sri Lanka, in order to fetch his army across. After Rama won the war and crowned new king of Lanka Lord Vibhishana, requested Rama to destroy this bridge.Lord Rama broke this bridge with one end of his bow. Hence, the name Dhanushkodi or 'end of the bow' (dhanush meaning 'bow' and kodi meaning 'end').
3. Kurusadai Beach :
   The Kurusadai Island is situated to the west of Pamban Bridge, between the mainland and island of Rameswaram. This island is main biosphere of this place, as well as an ideal place for nature lovers. The rich marine life at the place also attracts large number of visitors, scholars and researchers. visitors can see several species of coral-reef fishes, dolphins and sea cows, off the beach.

Accomodation

Available

Private Accomodation

Available

Function Hall

Available

Other Amenities

Hospitals :
Government General Hospital. Phone: 04573 - 221233
Ayurvedic Hospital run by the Temple

Post Office :
Situated at West Street. Phone: 04573 - 221233

Telegraph :
Situated at Middle Street. Phone: 04573 - 221225

Social Welfare Schemes Run By The Temple :

1. Karunai Illam (Charity Home)
2. Ayurvedic Hospital
3. Parvathavardhini Amman Girl's Hr. Sec. School
4. Library
5. Gosala
6. Thevara School - Benefitted by the Karunai Illam and Hr. sec. School Children

Sevas

Annual Uthsavas

1. Mahasivarathri :
   Mahasashti krishnapatcham Maasi (February, March) - Mahakrishna Amavasai - 10 days
   • Rishaba Vaahana Dharshan
   • Mahasivarathri Abishekam
   • Silver Chariot
2. Vasanthotsavam :
   Vaikasa Sukkila Sashti Vaikasi (May - June) - Vaisaka Paurnami : 10 days
3. Ramalinga Prathishtai :
   Jeshta Sukkila Suddha Sashti Aani (May - June) - Ashata Paurnami : 3 days
4. Thirukkalyanam :
   Aashada Pagula Krishnashtami (July - August ) Siravana - suddham 17 days
   1. Rishaba Vaahanam
   2. Silver Chariot
   3. Thabasu Day
   4. Sayanasevai on Golden Pallakku
   5. Thirukkalyana Day
5. Navarathri Festival Dasara (Vijayadasami Day) :
   Bathrabatha Suddha Sukkila Pradhami Purattaasi (September - October) – Dasami : 10 days
6. Kantha Sashti :
   Aasveeja Suddha Sukkila Aippasi (october - November) - Aasveeja Suddha Sashti : 6 days
7. Aarudhira Dharshna :
   Maarkka Seerisha Sudda Sashti Sadhaya Natchatram Maargazhi (December - January) - Maarkka Seerisha Sudda Paurnami : 10 days