Ramanathaswamy Temple

The Temple

On the island of Rameswaram, between India and Sri Lanka, stands this great temple — one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and one of the four holiest Char Dham pilgrimage sites. Its most famous wonder is its corridor — among the longest temple corridors in the world, with about 1,200 giant granite pillars stretching in breathtaking rows. Much of the grand structure we see today was built by kings of the Sethupathy dynasty and other rulers over the centuries.

The Legend

This is where the Ramayana and Shiva worship meet. Tradition tells that after the war in Lanka, Lord Rama wished to worship Shiva here to seek blessings and cleanse the burden of battle. Hanuman was sent to bring a linga from Kailash, but the auspicious time was nearing, so Sita made a linga of sand with her own hands — the Ramalingam that Rama worshipped. When Hanuman returned upset, Rama lovingly gave his linga a place of honour too, and it is worshipped first to this day. The name says it all: Rameswaram — 'the Lord of Rama.'

Good to Know

Pilgrims traditionally bathe at Agni Theertham (the sea) and then in the waters of the 22 sacred wells inside the temple, each with its own name and story, before darshan. Nearby Dhanushkodi, where the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean meet, is linked in tradition with Rama's bridge to Lanka.

🕉️ The Deity