Rameshwaram Ramanathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu has Lord Shiva as the main deity. The Temple is one of the Twelve Jyotirlingas temples in India. The Rameshwaram temple timings are from 6 am to 9 pm.
History Rameshwaram Temple:
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Lord Rama and Goddess Sita built a Shivalinga with sand and water. The history of Ramanathaswamy Temple dates back to the Ramayana period. Devotees believe that Lord Rama made the lingam and installed it here.
According to legend, Lord Rama and his wife Sita return from Lanka after killing Ravana, half-Brahmin and half-demon. Since killing a Brahman is a sin, Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva and asked for forgiveness.
So, he sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring the idol of Lord Shiva. Meanwhile, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita were living on the island, and the time they tried to drink the water, a loud and divine voice spoke to them.
Rama and Seeta heard the voice saying that Lord Rama had drunk water without worshipping. Therefore, Lord Rama ordered Sita to make a lingam with the sand and water of the seashore without waiting for Hanuman to return. Then, he worshipped Shiva in this form and begged for mercy.
Lord Shiva appeared as Jyotirlinga, blessed Rama and agreed to stay here and bless humanity forever. Because Lord Rama worshipped the lingam, the Jyotirlinga was named Ramanathaswamy, and the place got the name Rameshwaram.
Who built the temple?
The rulers built the Temple in the 12th century. Sethupathi Maravar started the construction of the great Ramanathaswamy Temple with the ‘Third Corridor’ completed by his successor Maravar – the longest in Asia with an area of 197 meters.
Covering an area of 133 meters from east to west and south to north, it is the third-largest in the world! The story said that Swami Vivekananda offered prayers at this Temple in 1897.
Structure:
The sculpture of Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to many deities, and The Pandya rulers in the 12th century AD expanded the Temple. Ramanathaswamy Temple has the most significant temple corridor in the world. They are about 1220 meters long and have about 1200 magnificent granite pillars.
Significance of Ramanathaswamy Temple:
The Jyotirlinga Like all the 12 Jyotirlingas, the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is self-contained. The significance of the Ramanathaswamy Temple is that there are two lingas in the sanctum sanctorum of the Temple – Ramalingam – made of Sita sand, and Vishwalingam – brought by Hanuman. Since Hanuman brought the linga from Kailasa, Lord Rama first ordered the worship of the Vishwalinga.
The Island and the surrounding areas belong to the whole of Rama. According to beliefs, this place is essential for both Shaivites and Vaishnavites, as many events in the Ramayana occurred here. Rameshwaram has 50 tirthas, or sacred wells, and 22 are inside the Temple.
The water coming from these wells was believed to have medicinal properties. Also, it believes that water from each theertham has a different taste and offers different remedies. The gender was made of crystal. Bathing the penis with Ganga water is auspicious. Devotees going to Kashi bring Ganga water and offer it to the lingam here.
Rameshwaram Temple Timings:
The Rameshwaram temple timings are that it opens6 am6 am and closes at 9 pm. During this time, the Temple also conducts various pujas. Devotees may be part of these rituals, such as morning, afternoon and evening pujas.
| Timings | From | To |
| Morning Darshan | 6:00 am | 1:00 pm |
| Evening Darshan | 3:30 pm | 8:30 pm |
| Day | Timings |
| Monday | 6 am to 9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am to 9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am to 9 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am to 9 pm |
| Friday | 6 am to 9 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am to 9 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am to 9 pm |
Poojas and Sevas:
Many Poojas had performed at the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Some services and worships of Mahakaleshwara Temple:
| Ritual | Timings |
| Palliyarai Deepa Arathana | 5:00 am |
| Spadigalinga Deepa Arathana | 5:10 am |
| Thiruvananthal Deepa Arathana | 5:45 am |
| Vila Pooja | 7:00 am |
| Kalasanthi Pooja | 10:00 am |
| Uchikala Pooja | noon am |
| Sayaratcha Pooja | 6:00 am |
| Arthajama Pooja | 8:30 am |
| Palliyarai Pooja | 8:45 am |
Famous poojas at the Temple:
- 108 silver Kalasa Abishekam
- 1008 silver Kalasa Abishekam
- 1008 Kalasa Abishegam (copper)
- Rudrabishekam
- Panchamirtha Abishekam
- Swami Sahasranama Archana
- Ambal Sahasranama Archana
- Gangabishekam with Ganges & Vessel
- Rudrajapam
- Swami Astothra Archanai
Festivals Celebrated at Ramanathaswamy Temple:
Some of the festivals celebrated at the Ramanathaswamy Temple are
Mahashivaratri:
This festival is in honour of Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that he is the originator of the Yogi tradition. Also, people observe it in remembrance of Lord Shiva by praying, fasting, doing yoga and meditating.
Ramalinga Prathishtai:
It is a three-day festival celebrating the dedication of Ramalinga. The festival takes place from May to June.
Thirukalyanam:
It is the wedding ceremony of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The festivities last for a fortnight and take place in July-August.
It is a ten-day festival celebrated in September-October.
Arudhira Darshan:
Also, Lord Nataraja, the incarnation of Lord Shiva, performs this ecstatic dance on the day he meets the longest night of the year. The festival takes place from December to early January.
Temples Nearby the Temple:
- Satchi Hanuman Temple
- Panchamukha Hanuman Temple
- Badrakaliamman Temple
- Nambu Nayagiamman Temple
- Kothandaramaswamy Temple
Hotels at the Temple
- Hotel KNP Nest
- Jiwan Residency
- Hotel Arjuna
- Hotel Raghavendra
- Hotel Nathan
- Dwaraka Hotel and Residency
- Hotel Brindhavan Residency
- Hotel RSN International
Address:
- Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram-623526, Ramanathapuram(D), TamilNadu, India
- Phone Number: 04573-221223
- Official Website: https://ramanathapuram.nic.in/tourist-place/ramanathaswamy-temple/
How to reach the Temple:
Here is how to reach Ramanathaswamy Temple:
Air: The nearest airport is Madurai, 174 km from the Temple.
Train: Rameswaram Railway Station is the nearest railhead, 1 km from the Temple.
Road: This major tourist destination was well connected to all the cities and towns in Tamil Nadu. Many public and private buses are available.
FAQs:
What is special about Rameshwaram temple?
Rameshwaram Temple is renowned for being a part of one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (lingam of light) of Lord Shiva in India.
What is the story behind Rameshwaram temple?
The cute little Rameswaram Island is supremely popular for its Ramanathaswamy Temple. It is believed that Lord Rama meditated here to forgive his sin of killing Lord Ravana. Since Ravana was a Brahmin, slaying is believed to be one of the highest forms of evil one can commit.
What is the main Temple in Rameshwaram?
Ramanathaswamy Temple
How many steps are there in Rameshwaram temple?
You Have To Climb 3700 Steps To Reach This Temple In Tamil Nadu.