Rameshwaram Temple Guide

Overview

•Ramanathaswamy Temple, located in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, is one of the most revered Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
•It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is also one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams.
•The temple is renowned for its magnificent corridors, towering gopurams, and the longest temple corridor in the world.
•It holds immense significance as a major pilgrimage center, especially for those undertaking the Kashi Yatra, as it is believed that worshipping here absolves one of sins.

Dress Code

Traditional Indian attire is recommended. Men can wear dhoti or pyjamas with upper cloth. Women should wear sarees or salwar kameez. Western attire like shorts, skirts, and sleeveless tops are not allowed. Devotees must remove footwear before entering the temple premises. It is customary to bathe in the Agnitheertham before entering the temple. The temple provides changing rooms and lockers for devotees.

Rituals

•The temple follows Shaiva Agama rituals.
•Daily rituals include: 1) Thiruvananthal (ablution of the lingam) at 5:30 AM.
•2) Kalasanthi puja (morning worship) at 6:00 AM.
•3) Uchikala puja (midday worship) at 10:30 AM.
•4) Sayaraksha puja (evening worship) at 6:00 PM.
•5) Ardhajamam puja (night worship) at 8:30 PM.
•Special rituals include abhishekam (holy bath) with various substances like milk, curd, honey, and panchamrita.
•The temple also performs special pujas for ancestors (Tarpanam) at the theerthams.
•On full moon days and Pradosham, special abhishekams are performed.
•The temple also conducts the 'Chariot festival' and other annual festivals.

Festivals

•The temple celebrates several festivals: 1) Maha Shivaratri (February-March) - the most important festival with special pujas and abhishekams.
•2) Thai Amavasya (January) - a day for ancestral rites.
•3) Pradosham (every fortnight) - special worship of Shiva.
•4) Karthigai Deepam (November-December) - festival of lights.
•5) Chithirai Festival (April) - celebrates the wedding of Rama and Sita.
•6) Aadi Amavasya (July-August) - another day for ancestral rites.
•7) Navaratri (September-October) - dedicated to the goddess.
•8) The temple also celebrates the annual car festival (Rath Yatra) where the deities are taken out in procession.

The 22 Theerthams

Agnitheertham

The sea shore near the temple; bathing here purifies the soul and is the first step of the pilgrimage.

Santhana Theertham

Believed to bless devotees with children.

Gavaya Theertham

Purifies sins; associated with sage Gavaya.

Gavatha Theertham

Similar to Gavaya, cleanses sins.

Kodi Theertham

Located in the temple premises; used for ablutions before entering the sanctum.

Sethu Theertham

Believed to have been created by Lord Rama to cross the sea.

Amrutha Theertham

Offers immortality and divine nectar.

Jaya Theertham

Victory and success in endeavors.

Brahma Theertham

Associated with Lord Brahma's worship.

#10

Surya Theertham

Worshipping the Sun God; cures skin diseases.

#11

Chandra Theertham

Cooling and calming effect; associated with the Moon.

#12

Ganga Theertham

Represents the holy Ganges; purifies sins.

#13

Yama Theertham

Protects from untimely death.

#14

Kubera Theertham

Attracts wealth and prosperity.

#15

Saraswathi Theertham

Enhances knowledge and wisdom.

#16

Sarva Theertham

All holy waters; ultimate purification.

#17

Nala Theertham

Associated with Nala, the architect of the bridge.

#18

Neela Theertham

Associated with Neela, the vanara who built the bridge.

#19

Lakshmana Theertham

Dedicated to Lakshmana, Lord Rama's brother.

#20

Hanuman Theertham

Dedicated to Hanuman, the devotee of Rama.

#21

Sugriva Theertham

Dedicated to Sugriva, the monkey king.

#22

Vibhishana Theertham

Dedicated to Vibhishana, the righteous brother of Ravana.

Temple Layout

•The temple complex is a large rectangular structure with four entrances, each topped by a gopuram.
•The main entrance is the eastern Rajagopuram.
•Inside, the layout includes: 1) The outer courtyard with the 22 theerthams located around the temple.
•2) The first corridor (outer mandapam) leading to the second corridor.
•3) The second corridor (inner mandapam) with numerous pillars.
•4) The third corridor (Chitirai Mandapam) - the longest, with 1212 pillars, leading to the sanctum.
•5) The sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) housing the Ramanathaswamy lingam and Vishwanathar lingam.
•6) The shrine of Goddess Parvathavardhini (Amman shrine) to the north.
•7) The Nandi Mandapam in front of the sanctum.
•8) The Agnitheertham tank outside the eastern gate.
•9) The temple also has a hall for the Nandi, a flagstaff (dwajasthambam), and a large hall for festivals.

Darshan Guide

Timings

The temple is open from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The darshan times are divided into various pujas. The key timings: 5:00 AM - Temple opens, 5:30 AM - Thiruvananthal (ablution), 6:00 AM - Kalasanthi puja, 7:00 AM - Darshan begins, 10:30 AM - Uchikala puja, 12:00 PM - Temple closes for afternoon, 3:00 PM - Temple reopens, 4:00 PM - Darshan resumes, 6:00 PM - Sayaraksha puja, 8:30 PM - Ardhajamam puja, 9:00 PM - Temple closes. The darshan of the main lingam typically takes 30-45 minutes during peak hours.

General Darshan

Free darshan is available for all devotees. The queue can be long, especially during weekends and festivals.

Special Darshan

Special darshan tickets (Rs. 100 per person) allow faster access through a separate queue, usually taking 10-15 minutes. These can be purchased at the temple office or online.

Rituals

•The temple follows Shaiva Agama rituals.
•Daily rituals include: 1) Thiruvananthal (ablution of the lingam) at 5:30 AM.
•2) Kalasanthi puja (morning worship) at 6:00 AM.
•3) Uchikala puja (midday worship) at 10:30 AM.
•4) Sayaraksha puja (evening worship) at 6:00 PM.
•5) Ardhajamam puja (night worship) at 8:30 PM.
•Special rituals include abhishekam (holy bath) with various substances like milk, curd, honey, and panchamrita.
•The temple also performs special pujas for ancestors (Tarpanam) at the theerthams.
•On full moon days and Pradosham, special abhishekams are performed.
•The temple also conducts the 'Chariot festival' and other annual festivals.

Administration

•The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
•A hereditary trustee (Dharma Karthas) assists in management.
•The temple has a dedicated staff of priests (archakas) and administrative personnel.
•The temple provides amenities such as free drinking water, cloakroom facilities, and a prasadam counter.
•There are also offices for booking special darshan and accommodation.

History

•The temple's origins are steeped in legend and history.
•According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here to atone for the sin of killing Ravana, a Brahmin.
•He instructed Hanuman to bring a lingam from Kailash, but when Hanuman was delayed, Sita created a lingam from sand (the Ramanathaswamy lingam).
•Hanuman brought a lingam later, and to appease him, both were installed.
•The temple's current structure was built over centuries, with major contributions from the Pandya dynasty (12th century), the Jaffna kingdom (15th century), and the Setupati rulers of Ramnad (17th century).
•The temple's corridors were built by Muthuramalinga Setupati in the 18th century.
•The temple has been a significant site for Shaivism and Vaishnavism, with historical inscriptions from various dynasties.

Architecture

•The temple is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, sprawling over 15 acres.
•Its most striking feature is the third corridor (Chitirai Mandapam), which is 197 meters long and 133 meters wide, with 1212 pillars carved with intricate details.
•The temple has four main gopurams (towers), the tallest being the Rajagopuram at 53 meters (175 feet).
•The Nandi Mandapam, with a majestic Nandi statue, is a notable structure.
•The temple's corridors are adorned with sculpted pillars depicting various deities and mythological scenes.
•The sanctum sanctorum houses the Ramanathaswamy lingam and the Vishwanathar lingam (sand lingam).
•The temple also has a separate shrine for Goddess Parvathavardhini.
•The layout follows the typical Dravidian style with a rectangular plan, high walls, and a large tank (Agnitheertham) in front.

Tips

Bathe in the Agnitheertham before entering the temple as per tradition.
Visit early morning (5 AM) to avoid crowds and witness the rituals.
Wear comfortable traditional attire and carry a change of clothes if you plan to bathe in the theerthams.
Keep your valuables in the cloakroom provided.
Hire a guide to understand the temple's history and significance.
Be prepared for long queues during festivals and weekends.
Carry water and snacks as the temple complex is large and may take 2-3 hours to explore.
Photography is prohibited inside the temple premises.
Respect the local customs and maintain silence in the sanctum.
If you have time, visit the nearby Dhanushkodi and Pamban bridge.

Nearby Attractions

Agnitheertham Beach (adjacent to the temple)
Ramanathaswamy Temple Tank (Agnitheertham)
Dhanushkodi (about 20 km away, a ruined town and the point where the sea meets the land)
Pamban Bridge (2 km away, a historic cantilever bridge)
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's Memorial (in Rameshwaram town)
Gandamadana Parvatham (a hillock with Rama's footprints)
Kothandaramaswamy Temple (about 12 km away, dedicated to Rama)
Five-faced Hanuman Temple (near the sea)
Jatayu Tirtha (a sacred spot where Jatayu fell)
Villoondi Theertham (a holy well inside the sea)