Introduction
Rameshwaram Temple, also known as Ramanathaswamy Temple, is one of the most sacred and magnificent Hindu temples in India. Located on the island of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the supreme deities in Hinduism. The temple is also one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples, where Shiva is worshipped as a pillar of light. In this blog post, we will explore the history, significance, architecture and attractions of Rameshwaram Temple.
Table of Contents
History of Rameshwaram Temple
The history of Rameshwaram Temple is closely linked to the epic Ramayana, which narrates the story of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to the legend, Rama wanted to worship Shiva after killing the demon king Ravana in Sri Lanka, to absolve himself of the sin of killing a Brahmin. He asked his devotee Hanuman to bring a lingam (an iconic representation of Shiva) from Kashi (Varanasi), but Hanuman was delayed in his return. Therefore, Rama’s wife Sita made a lingam out of sand and Rama installed and worshipped it at Rameshwaram. This lingam is known as Ramalingam and is the main deity of the temple. The lingam brought by Hanuman from Kashi is known as Vishwalingam and is also worshipped in the temple.
The temple was originally a thatched hut built by Rama, but was later expanded and renovated by various rulers and dynasties over the centuries. The present structure dates back to the 12th century CE, when it was built by the Pandya kings. The temple was also patronized by the Chola, Nayaka, Maratha and British rulers, who added various features and embellishments to the temple complex.
How to Reach
Here are the ways to reach Rameshwaram temple from major cities in India:
- By Air: The nearest airport to Rameshwaram is Madurai Airport, which is around 169 kilometers away. There are regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and other major cities to this airport. Once you reach the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to Rameshwaram.
[Image of Madurai Airport in India]
[Image of Rameshwaram Temple in India] - By Rail: The nearest railway station to Rameshwaram is Rameshwaram Junction, which is located in the town itself. Trains from major cities like Chennai, Madurai, and Thiruvananthapuram stop at this station.
[Image of Rameshwaram Junction railway station in India] - By Road: Rameshwaram is well-connected by road to major cities in Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. You can take a bus or a taxi to Rameshwaram from Madurai, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, and other nearby cities.
Here are the approximate travel distances and times from some major cities in India to Rameshwaram temple:
| City | Distance (km) | Travel time (hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Madurai | 169 | 2.5 |
| Chennai | 650 | 10 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | 850 | 13 |
| Kolkata | 2,150 | 30 |
| Delhi | 2,700 | 35 |
| Bangalore | 570 | 11.5 |
Please note that the travel time may vary depending on the mode of transport you choose and the weather conditions.
Rameshwaram to kanyakumari distance
The distance between Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari is 312 kilometers (194 miles). The travel time by car is approximately 5 hours and 38 minutes. The fastest way to travel between the two cities is by car, but you can also take a bus or train.
Here are some of the routes you can take to travel from Rameshwaram to Kanyakumari:
- By car: The shortest route is via NH 44, which is a four-lane highway. The total distance is 312 kilometers and the travel time is approximately 5 hours and 38 minutes.
- By bus: There are several bus operators that offer direct services between Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari. The travel time is approximately 6 hours.
- By train: There is one train that runs directly between Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari. The travel time is approximately 7 hours.
If you are traveling from Rameshwaram to Kanyakumari, I recommend taking the car route. It is the fastest and most convenient way to travel between the two cities. However, if you are on a budget, you can take the bus or train.
Madurai to rameshwaram distance
The distance between Madurai and Rameshwaram is 169 kilometers (105 miles). The travel time by car is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The fastest way to travel between the two cities is by car, but you can also take a bus or train.
Here are some of the routes you can take to travel from Madurai to Rameshwaram:
- By car: The shortest route is via NH 49, which is a four-lane highway. The total distance is 169 kilometers and the travel time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- By bus: There are several bus operators that offer direct services between Madurai and Rameshwaram. The travel time is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.
- By train: There are two trains that run directly between Madurai and Rameshwaram. The travel time is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
If you are traveling from Madurai to Rameshwaram, I recommend taking the car route. It is the fastest and most convenient way to travel between the two cities. However, if you are on a budget, you can take the bus or train.
Significance of Rameshwaram Temple
Rameshwaram Temple is considered to be one of the holiest places in India for Hindus, especially for Shaivites (followers of Shiva) and Vaishnavites (followers of Vishnu). The temple is part of the Char Dham pilgrimage, which consists of four sacred sites in India: Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameshwaram. It is believed that visiting these four sites will grant salvation to the devotees.
Rameshwaram Temple is also one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, which are temples that are revered in the verses of Saiva Nayanars, the Tamil saints who lived between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. The temple is praised for its sanctity, beauty and splendor by various poets and saints.
Rameshwaram Temple is also known for its 22 Theerthams (holy water bodies) that are located inside and outside the temple complex. These Theerthams are believed to have been created by Rama and his associates during their stay at Rameshwaram. It is said that bathing in these Theerthams will wash away one’s sins and grant various benefits. Some of the famous Theerthams are Agni Theertham (sea), Mahalakshmi Theertham, Surya Theertham, Brahma Theertham and Sethu Madhava Theertham.
Architecture of Rameshwaram Temple
Rameshwaram Temple is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, which is characterized by elaborate carvings, towering gateways, pillared halls and massive walls. The temple covers an area of about 15 acres and has three prakaras (enclosures) and four gopurams (towers). The main entrance is through the eastern gopuram, which is 38 meters high and has nine tiers. The western gopuram is 30 meters high and has seven tiers. The northern and southern gopurams are smaller and have five tiers each.
The most striking feature of Rameshwaram Temple is its corridors, which are said to be the longest in any Hindu temple in India. The outer corridor has 1212 pillars and runs for about 197 meters on each side. The inner corridor has 784 pillars and runs for about 122 meters on each side. The pillars are adorned with intricate sculptures depicting various scenes from Hindu mythology and legends.
The sanctum sanctorum of Rameshwaram Temple houses the Ramalingam, which is a swayambhu (self-manifested) lingam made of sand. It is covered with a gold plate and decorated with jewels and flowers. The Vishwalingam, which is a black stone lingam brought by Hanuman from Kashi, is placed next to the Ramalingam. The devotees are allowed to touch and worship the Vishwalingam before worshipping the Ramalingam.
The temple also has other shrines dedicated to various deities, such as Parvati, Ganesh, Murugan, Nandi, Hanuman, Durga and Lakshmi. The temple also has a hall called Sayana Mandapam, where Rama is said to have rested after worshipping Shiva. The hall has a reclining idol of Rama along with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman.
Attractions near Rameshwaram Temple
Rameshwaram Temple is not only a spiritual destination, but also a tourist attraction that offers many interesting sights and activities. Some of the attractions near Rameshwaram Temple are:
- Pamban Bridge: This is a 2.3 km long bridge that connects Rameswaram Island with the mainland. It is India’s first sea bridge and was opened in 1914. It has a railway line and a road bridge that offer scenic views of the Palk Strait and the Bay of Bengal. The bridge also has a section that can be lifted to allow ships and boats to pass through.
- Dhanushkodi: This is a ghost town that was once a flourishing fishing village and a pilgrimage site. It was destroyed by a cyclone in 1964 and was abandoned ever since. It is located at the tip of Rameswaram Island and is about 18 km from Rameshwaram Temple. It is said that this is the place where Rama built the bridge to Lanka with the help of his monkey army. The town has some ruins of churches, temples, railway station and houses that offer a glimpse of its past glory.
- Abdul Kalam Memorial: This is a memorial dedicated to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India and a renowned scientist. He was born and raised in Rameswaram and was buried here after his death in 2015. The memorial showcases his life and achievements through various exhibits, models, photographs and artifacts. It also has a replica of the Agni missile, which he played a key role in developing.
- Ariyaman Beach: This is a pristine beach that is about 27 km from Rameshwaram Temple. It is ideal for relaxing, swimming and enjoying water sports. It also has a children’s park, an aquarium and a museum nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the timings of Rameshwaram Temple?
A: The temple is open from 5 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 9 pm on all days of the week.
Q: What are the pooja timings of Rameshwaram Temple?
A: The temple performs various poojas (rituals) throughout the day. Some of the main poojas are:
- Palliyarai Deepa Arathana at 5 am
- Spadigalinga Deepa Arathana at 5:10 am
- Thiruvananthal Deepa Arathana at 5:45 am
- Vila Pooja at 7 am
- Kalasanthi Pooja at 10 am
- Uchikala Pooja at 12 noon
- Sayaratcha Pooja at 6 pm
- Arthajama Pooja at 8:30 pm
- Palliyarai Pooja at 8:45 pm
Q: What are the dress code and rules for visiting Rameshwaram Temple?
A: The temple expects the visitors to follow some dress code and rules for maintaining its sanctity and decorum:
- Men should wear dhoti or pants with shirt or kurta.
- Women should wear saree or salwar kameez or churidar with dupatta.
- Avoid wearing shorts, jeans, t-shirts, leggings or any other casual or revealing clothes.
- Remove footwear.
