| Rameshwaram Temple |
| About:The Ramanathaswamy Temple is regarded as one of the most sacred shrines of Hindus in India. It is an honoured pilgrimage destination, which represents the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlingams of India. It is considered as holy as Banaras. This famous Hindu temple situated on the Rameshwaram island is located off the Sethu coast of Tamil Nadu. The temple is noted for its close association with Ramayana and the legendary victory of Rama over the demon king Ravana.Rameshwaram is an island situated in the gulf of manner at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. A very important pilgrim centre of the Indians. Rameshwaram is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage which is known as the Varanasi the south.Rameshwaram is significant for the Hindus as a pilgrimage to Benaras is incomplete without a Pilgrimage to Rameshwaram. The presiding deity is the Linga Of Sri Ranganatha, which happens to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. Rameshwaram is also popularly referred to as the ‘Benaras of the south’. In order to attain Moksha it is believed that the visit to Rameshwaram is mandatory.Rameshwaram is a destination, which attracts tourists with its history and grandeur. Rameshwaram has some of the most exciting attractions. Some of them include, Ramanatha Swamy Temple and the Agnitriham tank. People coming to visit this temple , ideally take a bath at the Agnitriham. Another significant attraction is the Ramjharoka temple, which houses the imprints of Lord Rama’ s feet placed on a chakra. This temple is situated at the highest point of the Island of Rameshwaram, Gandamadana Parvatham, another major tourist attraction. This point is situated at a distance of 5 kms from Rameshwaram. |
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| Location info: |
| Address: Rameshwaram,Ramanathpuram, Chennai, Tamilnadu |
| District: Ramanathpuram |
| Nearest City: Rameshwaram |
| Best time to visit: January and March |
| Climate/Weather: |
| The average temperature recorded during the summers is 33°C. The climate is cool and pleasant during the winters. |
| History: |
History of Rameshwaram dates back to several centuries. The region has witnessed the rise and fall of several dynasties that ruled this region of South India. The Pandya Dynasty reigned in this region till the 15th century. The Nayak kings of Vijayanagar Empire ruled in the region till the end of the 17th century. The Sethupathis gained power after the fall of the Nayaks. The Sethupathis were the earlier chieftains of the region. They were connoisseurs of art and architecture. During this time, art and architecture flourished in the region under the patronage of the Sethupathis chieftains. Some of the prominent chieftains of the region were Muthuramalinga Sethupathy, Udayan Sethupathy, Raghunatha Sethupathy and Thirumalai Sethupathy. The statues of the chieftains are placed in the temple of the region.Stretched over a vast area of 15 acres, Rameswaram Temple is the typical specimen of Dravidian style of architecture. The skyscraping gopurams (spires) truly dominate the skyline of Rameshwaram. The shrine is acknowledged for having the largest temple hallway in India. This pillared corridor extends to 4000 feet in length, embracing more than 4000 pillars. Erected on a raised plinth, granite pillars are intricately carved with beautiful images. A hard fact about this corridor reveals that the rock doesn’t belong to the island and it was imported from somewhere across the sea.
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| Interesting places to Visit: |
Rameshwaram is a destination, which attracts tourists with its history and grandeur. Rameshwaram has some of the most exciting attractions. Some of them include, Ramanatha Swamy Temple and the Agnitriham tank. People coming to visit this temple , ideally take a bath at the Agnitriham. Another significant attraction is the Ramjharoka temple, which houses the imprints of Lord Rama’ s feet placed on a chakra. This temple is situated at the highest point of the Island of Rameshwaram, Gandamadana Parvatham, another major tourist attraction. This point is situated at a distance of 5 kms from Rameshwaram.Entire Rameshwaram is dotted with temples in honor of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. In the south of the island of Rameshwaram is Dhanushkodi, a place that derives its name from the dhanush of Lord Rama. Dhanushkodi is at a distance of 2 kms from the Railway Station and is easily approachable by road from any part of Rameshwaram
The most popular destinations from Rameshwaram are Erwadi situated around 24 kms from Rameshwaram. It is noted for the tomb of saint Ibrahim Syed Aulia. Ramanathapuram is another important destination nearby Rameshwaram.The highlight of this ancient town is the Ram Vilas Palace of Sethupati Rajas. Uthirakosamangai, situated 16-km southwest of Ramanathapuram has a well-known Shiva temple. The temple has inspired many Tamil works of devotion. Sethu is situated around 5-km south of this temple which is also the venue of the celebrated temple of Sri Anjaneya. According to the legends this the place where Sri Rama built a bridge to Sri Lanka.Twenty Two Wells
Ramanathswamy Temple has twenty two wells in its complex. Being the main attraction of this temple, the wells are also recognized with their distinct properties. All of these wells have water of different taste, temperature, salinity and have curative properties as well. It is said that these wells were made by Lord Rama himself, when he fired arrows in the sand. |
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| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Rameshwaram |
| Nearest Airport:Madurai ( 163) |
| Road Transport:Rameshwaram is well connected to all major cities by road. The bus station is 2 km west of town. Buses run to Madurai four times daily and to Kanyakumari, Trichy and Chennai. There are also a number of buses to Pondicherry, Trichy and Thanjavur via Madurai |
| Nearest Visiting places:Ramanathapuram :The Ram Vilas Palace of the Sethupati Rajas is a must visit place. The oil portraits of the Rajas of the past centuries and the articulately designed ceilings and walls embellished with eighteenth century murals, the subjects of which vary from business. Meetings with the English to battles with the Marathas, make this place more interesting.Sethu:five km south of the temple is Sethu, where there is a celebrated temple of Sri Anjaneya, and where, tradition holds, Sri Rama built a bridge to Sri Lanka. In Devipatnam, or Navapashanam, also by the sea, there are nine stones visible at low tide. It is believed that they were set up by Sri Rama to represent the nine planets, the Navagrahas.Tirupullani:Outside the island, there are three other sites traditionally connected with Sri Rama’s expedition to Sri Lanka. A big temple in Tiruppullani commemorates the tradition that there the Lord obtained a bow and arrows to use in the impending war from its presiding Deity and also that the Lord of the Ocean who had refused to help Him finally submitted.Uthirakosamangai:sixteen km southwest of Ramanathapuram stands the renowed Shiva temple of Uttarakosamangai. Manikkavachagar has sung of it. The Lord is Mangaleshvara and the Goddess Mangalesvari. The temple has inspired many Tamil works of devotion. So, of course, has the Ramanatha temple in Rameshwaram. |
| Nearest Petrol Pump:Petrol Pump :Rameshwaram |
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Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:Royal Park Hotel
Semma Madam, Rameswaram, 623526- 04573 221680Maharaja Hotel
Near The Temple, No. 7, Middle Street, Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu- 04573 221271
Blue Coral Cottage
Agasthiar Theertham, Near Tamilnadu Hotel, Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu- 04573 221703
Hotel Hare Rama Hare Krishna
15/24, Ramar Padham Road, Thittakudi St, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623 526- 04573 223500 |
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| Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station:Temple Police Station
Rameshwaram, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu |
Nearest Hospital:Pioneer Hospitals (P)
NH 49, Ramanathapuram, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu- 04567 221317Keelakarai Govt. Hospital
Keelakarai, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu |
