Image Source: Vinayaraj
About Ramanathaswamy Temple
The Ramanathaswamy Temple, situated on Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu, India, is one of the most revered Hindu temples in South India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Ramanathaswamy and his consort Parvatavardhini (Parvati), the temple is not only a major pilgrimage destination but also a site of immense mythological and historical significance. Its prominence stems from its association with Lord Rama, who is believed to have worshipped Shiva here to atone for the sin of killing Ravana, thus sanctifying the island as a holy site.
Religious Significance
The Ramanathaswamy Temple is celebrated as one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, representing locations where Shiva appeared as a column of light. It is also the southernmost Jyotirlinga in India, attracting devotees from across the country. The temple forms part of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, alongside Badrinath, Puri, and Dwarka, making it a spiritually significant destination for Hindus.
It is additionally a Paadal Petra Sthalam, one of 275 sacred Shiva sites praised by the Shaivite poet-saints known as Nayanars. Within the sanctum, there are two lingams: the Ramalingam, constructed from sand by Rama himself, serving as the main deity, and the Vishvalingam, brought by Hanuman from Kailash, which is traditionally worshipped first as per Rama’s instruction. The temple is revered by followers of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and the Smarta tradition, reflecting its inclusive spiritual stature.
Architecture and Layout
The temple exemplifies Dravidian architectural brilliance, featuring towering gopurams, long pillared corridors, sacred water tanks, and multiple shrines. The Rajagopuram, the main entrance tower, rises to 53 meters, while the compound is enclosed by a high wall (madil) on all four sides.
The temple is famous for its longest corridors in India, reputedly the longest temple corridors in the world. These corridors, constructed by the Setupati rulers, particularly Muthuramalinga Setupati in the 18th century, stretch 3850 feet in total, with about 1,212 intricately sculpted pillars. The outer corridors are approximately 6.9 meters high, with east-west corridors measuring around 400 feet and north-south corridors about 640 feet each. The world-renowned Chokkatan Mandapam, part of the third corridor, exemplifies the grandeur of this architecture.
The temple complex houses separate shrines for Ramanathaswamy, Parvatavardhini, Vishalakshi, Vishnu, and Ganesha, along with the samadhi of Yogi Patanjali. It also includes 22 sacred theerthams (temple tanks) within its premises, representing the 22 arrows of Rama, with Agni Theertham, located on the seashore, being the most prominent. Bathing in these theerthams is considered an essential part of the pilgrimage.
Historical Background
Legends of the temple are documented in the Yuddha Kanda of the Ramayana and the Shiva Purana, linking it closely to Rama’s campaign against Ravana. Over the centuries, the temple experienced both development and destruction. In the early 14th century, Malik Kafur, the general of Alauddin Khalji, raided Rameswaram and desecrated temples on the island.
The present temple largely took shape during the 17th century, under rulers such as King Kizhavan Sethupathi or Raghunatha Kilavan, with contributions from Sri Lankan monarchs Parakrama Bahu and Nissanka Malla. The Setupatis of Ramanathapuram played a key role in temple expansion, constructing portions of the eastern gopuram, while Maratha kings (1745–1837 CE) donated rest houses for pilgrims. Earlier Vijayanagara contributions include composite columns added during the early 1500s, adding to the temple’s architectural richness.
Administration and Modern Status
Today, the Ramanathaswamy Temple is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. It is part of ongoing temple renovation programs, including improvements to pathways leading to the 22 theerthams and other facilities for pilgrims. The temple also participates in government initiatives such as the Free Meals Scheme, with plans to construct additional pilgrim accommodations to support devotees.
Religious Practices and Festivals
Devotees perform ritual baths in the theerthams before entering the sanctum, following daily poojas including abhisheka, alangaram, neivedyam, and deepa aradanai. The temple hosts a variety of festivals, attracting pilgrims in large numbers. Major celebrations include Maha Shivaratri, Ramanavami, Navaratri, and the Theerthavari Ceremony, all of which are accompanied by elaborate rituals, processions, and cultural performances.
The Ramanathaswamy Temple continues to be a living center of faith, culture, and architectural splendor, blending centuries of Pandya, Nayak, Jaffna, and Maratha contributions. Its long corridors, towering gopurams, sacred theerthams, and historical legacy make it one of the most celebrated and significant temples in India.