Ramanathaswamy Temple

The Ramanathaswamy Temple, an epitome of architectural splendor and spiritual reverence, is located on Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu, India.  This sacred site is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples, which hold immense significance in Hinduism. Nestled in the heart of the town of Rameswaram, the temple is a major pilgrimage destination, drawing devotees and tourists alike from all corners of the world. The word Rameshwaram has its origin in the Sanskrit language – (Rāma-īśvaram) and means “Lord of Rama” a term that refers to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the Ramanathaswamy Temple.

 

Significance of the temple:

Rameshwaram temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlings found in India. Jyotirlings are among the most sacred places, where Lord Shiva appeared himself in the form of a tall column of light, hence the name Jyotirling.

In addition to being the Jyotirling, Ramanathaswamy Temple is one among the original ‘Chaar-Dham’ (4 sacred and religious places), located in the 4 corners of India. These ‘chaar-dhaams’ hold a very significant place for Hindus, who aspire to visit these temples at least once in their lifetime.

As per the belief, a person should start the ‘Chaar-Dham yatra’ from Puri located in Odisha, east of India. Then one should move in a clockwise direction covering Rameshwaram in the second place, followed by Dwarika, and culminating in Badrinath.

It is also one among the 275 ‘Paadal Petra Sthalams’, where the three of the most revered Nayanars (Saivite saints), Appar, Sundarar and Tirugnana Sambandar, sang divine songs in the praise of Lord Shiva. The word ‘thevalam’ in Tamil means ‘garland of divine songs’, and the term ‘Paadal Petra Sthalam’ means ‘the temples which are mentioned in thevalams’, or the divine songs.

As a testimony to the legend of Ramayana, one can still find floating stones, using which Lord Rama had built a ‘setu’ (bridge) to Lanka. These stones are found near Dhanushkodi.

Ramanathaswamy Temple History:

The legend goes back to the ‘Treta Yug’. According to Ramayana, Lord Rama (the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu), after killing Raavan, the demon king of Lanka was full of remorse. This is because Raavan was the son of a great saint, Vishrava, and hence, was a Brahmin himself. So, Lord Rama wanted to repent for this crime and hence prayed to Lord Shiva to forgive him for this crime.

He decided to build a huge lingam to worship Shiva. So, he asked his ardent follower and one of the lieutenants in his army, Hanuman, to bring a lingam from Kashi. Since the worship was to be done at a pre-decided muhurat (particular auspicious time), and Hanuman was getting delayed in returning along with the ‘lingam’, Lord Rama worshipped a small lingam, which was made out of the sand by Maan Sita. This lingam, which was worshipped by Lord Rama is known as ‘Ramanathar’, or “Ramalingam’, and that’s how Rameshwaram got its name.

When Hanuman returned with the lingam, he was disappointed that his Lord had not used the lingam that he had brought. Lord Rama pacified Hanuman & named this Lingam ‘Kasi Viswanathar’ or Kasilingam’. Another name for this is ‘Hanumanlingam’. Lord Rama blessed Hanuman that anyone coming to this temple would first need to worship this lingam (brought from Hanuman), before worshipping the lingam made by Maan Sita.

So, this temple has two Shivlings – one made by Maan Sita and the other brought by Hanuman. As per the tradition, the devotees, who visit Ramanathswamy Temple, first offer prayers to ‘Kasilingam’ before worshipping ‘Ramalingam’.

Origin and Construction

The construction of Ramanathaswamy Temple is attributed to several historical figures. The temple’s foundation is believed to have been laid by the Pandya dynasty, with significant contributions from the Cholas and later, the Nayaks. The temple’s construction spanned several centuries, resulting in a blend of various architectural styles.

Inscriptions and Records

The temple walls are adorned with numerous inscriptions in Tamil and Sanskrit, detailing donations, endowments, and historical events. These inscriptions provide valuable insights into the temple’s history and the socio-political landscape of the region.

The Architecture of the Temple:

Dravidian Style

The Ramanathaswamy Temple is a magnificent example of Dravidian architecture, characterized by its towering gopurams (gateway towers), intricate carvings, and vast courtyards. The temple showcases the Dravidian style’s hallmark features, including symmetrical layouts, detailed sculptures, and elaborate pillars. The impressive design and layout of the temple are a testament to the advanced architectural knowledge and artistry of the time.

Major Structures

The temple complex is vast and comprises several significant structures. The main sanctum, which houses the sacred Ramalingam and Vishwalingam, is the focal point of worship. The temple has two majestic gopurams – the eastern gopuram stands at a height of 126 feet, while the western gopuram is 78 feet tall. These towering structures are adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting various deities and mythological scenes. The temple also includes several mandapams (halls), shrines, and the renowned Nandi statue.

Intricate Sculptures

One of the most striking features of the Ramanathaswamy Temple is its intricate sculptures. The walls, pillars, and gopurams are adorned with detailed carvings of gods, goddesses, celestial beings, and mythological narratives. These sculptures not only add to the aesthetic appeal of the temple but also serve as a means of storytelling, conveying religious and cultural stories to the devotees. The craftsmanship of these sculptures is a reflection of the skill and dedication of the artisans who worked on the temple over the centuries.

 

There are separate shrines for Lord Shiva and his consort Parvathavardhini (Maan Parvati), which are separated by a corridor.  In addition to these two, there are separate shrines for goddess Vishalakshi, the utsava images, sayanagriha, Vishnu and Ganesha. There are several multi-purpose halls inside the temple, named Anuppu Mandapam, Sukravara Mandapam, Setupati Mandapam, Kalyana Mandapam, and Nandi Mandapam.

 

Festivals and Rituals

Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri is one of the most celebrated festivals at Ramanathaswamy Temple. Devotees flock to the temple to offer prayers and perform rituals throughout the night, seeking blessings from Lord Shiva.

Thirukalyanam

The Thirukalyanam festival, marking the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is another major event. The temple is beautifully decorated, and special pujas (rituals) are conducted, attracting thousands of devotees.

Daily Rituals

The temple follows a strict schedule of daily rituals, including morning and evening aarti, abhishekam (ritual bathing of the deity), and special poojas on auspicious days. These rituals are performed with great devotion and precision, maintaining the sanctity of the temple.

How to get Darshan in the Temple?

Before entering the temple, devotees are supposed to take a holy dip in the sea. Then, once inside the temple, the devotees have to pass through 22 wells. There are people from temple staff at each of these wells who take out a bucket of water from each well and pour it on devotees. There are no charges for this. The devotees then move to the changing room to change clothes and then proceed for the main sanctum for the darshan. Hence, it is advised to carry an extra set of clothes, when you visit the temple.

After the darshan, you may collect prasad outside the temple.

Important things About Ramanathaswamy Temple:

• The priests who perform the puja are the Marathi Brahmins of Maharashtra who get Diksha from Sringeri Math in Karnataka.
• The temple has an entry ticket of Rs. 50, which you can get from the main gate. You may keep your footwear also here.
• The temple does not allow carrying mobiles in the temple. If you are carrying, you have to hire a locker outside and keep it there.
• Though there is no dress code at the temple, but jeans are not allowed here. Any other formal wear is fine, though traditional dhoti or pyjama is recommended. Ladies are suggested to wear saree or suit.
• Like all temples in the South, it is compulsory for the ladies to cover their upper body with a dupatta or a stole, before entering the temple.

Best Time to Visit Ramanathaswamy Temple:

Since Rameshwaram is a coastal area, the summers here are very hot and humid. This makes the weather very unpleasant. So, if possible, one should plan a visit here between the months of July to March, when it is monsoon season or winters. If you are coming from another city, avoid visiting on festive days, as it gets very crowded.

How to reach Ramanathaswamy Temple:

• By Air: The nearest airport is Madurai, which is around 175 km distance from the temple. Another airport is Thoothukudi, at a distance of 195 km.
• By Train: Rameshwaram has a railway station which is around 2 km from the Ramanathaswamy temple.
• By Road: Rameswaram has a Bus stand which is around 2 km from the Ramanathaswamy temple. The major cities nearby are: Thootukudi (138 km), Madurai (149 km), Thanjavur (169 km), Tiruchirapalli (180 km), Tirunelveli (186 km), and Nagercoil (238 km).

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