Sri Ramnath Swamy temple – Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram, a major pilgrim site about 160 km south-east of Madurai is held in high esteem by all. As per Ramayana, Lord Rama Himself installed the Siva-lingam at this place thus lending added importance to it and this holy place is thus held in high esteem by both Vaishnavites and Saivites.

The Ramnath Swamy Temple

The Ramayana narrates the story of Lord Rama, who declared war against the powerful Ravana, the King of Lanka who had abducted Rama’s wife Sita. In the fierce battle that ensued, Ravana was defeated and killed by Lord Rama. When Sita was released from Ravana’s prison, as per the Sthala Mahatmya (local legend), Sita and Ram on Their way back to Ayodhya stopped at the island of Rameswaram which was then called ‘Gandhamadhana Malai ‘.

The sages assembled in Rameshwaram to receive Lord Rama advised Him that as He had killed Ravana, a Brahmin, He should atone for His sin of ‘brahmahatya ‘ by performing a purificatory rite in front of a Siva-lingam. As there was no lingam available, Rama asked Hanuman to obtain one from Lord Shiva himself from Mount Kailash. Hanuman went to Mount Kailash and sat in prayer to please Lord Shiva requesting a Siva-lingam. Days passed and Hanuman had not returned. As the auspicious time for the ceremony was approaching, Sita with Her own hands molded a Siva-lingam out of sand and Lord Rama performed His purificatory rite in front of this lingam. Later Hanuman arrived with a lingam given by Lord Shiva and was dejected to find that his efforts were in vain. Lord Rama seeing his dejection told him to disregard the lingam made out of sand by Mother Sita and to install the lingam that he had brought from Kailash. Hanuman tried to lift the Siva-lingam already installed but could not move it. So Rama advised Hanuman to install his Siva-lingam near the one already there and requested all His followers to worship this lingam before worshipping the lingam worshipped by Himself. This practice continues until this day as the devotees first offer prayers to this lingam from Mount Kailash as Lord Vishwanath before offering prayers to Lord Ramanath Swamy (the lingam made by Sitadevi).

Other Details

Darshan Time – The temple is open from 5 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 9 pm for the devotees and puja is performed six times on a normal day. There are additional puja ceremonies on special days.

Interesting Features

Devotees come to this temple to bathe in the various ‘tirthams’ in order to obtain spiritual merits. There are 22 ‘tirtham’ wells within the precincts of the temple. Most of the devotees take a dip in the sea (called Agni tirtham) in front of the temple. With wet clothes they proceed to the temple and draw water from each of the 22 ‘tirthams’ inside the temple before arriving in front of Lord Vishwanath to offer their prayers.

There is another Sphatika-linga which was installed by Vibhishan. Abhishek & deeparadhana are performed to this lingam daily at 5 am.

The other striking feature of this temple is that the corridors are said to be the longest in the world. The outer wing of the corridor measures 690 ft in the east-west direction and 435 ft in the north-south direction. There are a total number of 1212 pillars or columns each sculptured to a similar profile and these frame the corridor on either side. The height of this corridor is 22 ft and when viewed from the corner where the north or south side corridors meet the west or east side corridors, the sight is breathtaking.

Other interesting places

1) The Gandamadhana parvat (hill) provides a commanding view of the island. It also bears a shrine said to bear the footprints of Lord Rama. Lord Rama along with his monkey generals stood here for a view of the area and His plan-making.

2) Dhanushkodi is the easternmost tip of the island. Legend has it that Lord Rama struck the bridge that he had built to Lanka at this place with the tip of His bow. Thus the bridge was broken.

3) There is a Kodandarama temple located on the way to Dhanushkodi from the Ramnath Swamy temple. Here Lord Rama arranged for the coronation of Vibhishan as King of Lanka after his surrender.

4) Bilondi tirtha is an amazing place. It is said that Lord Rama struck an arrow in the sea to satisfy Mother Sita’s thirst and a fountain of pure water appeared at this place. Sita devi drank the water and was satisfied. This place is located 6 kms on the main road connecting Ramanath Swamy temple to Pamban bridge. It is 15 minutes walk off the main road. On the main road, you will also find Ekantha Rama temple – where locals say Lord Rama spent some time in seclusion.

5) Rama Tirtham, Lakshman Tirtham and Sita Tirtham – located nearby each other and very close to Ramnath Swamy temple are around 1 km walk on main road.