Ramanathaswamy Temple (Rāmanātasvāmi Kōyil), also known as the Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on Rameswaram island in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples, revered for its deep spiritual and historical significance. As one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, the sacred sites glorified by the Nayanars (Shaivite poet-saints) — Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandar — the temple holds immense devotional importance.
The Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga is also part of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, venerated by Shaivites, Vaishnavites, and Smartas alike. The temple is renowned for having the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India. This guide delves into the profound history, unique architectural features, the compelling legends of Lord Rama, and the enduring spiritual significance of this revered shrine — a timeless beacon of faith for millions across India.
The Sacred Geography: Rameswaram Island and its Significance
- Location: Ramanathaswamy Temple is located on Rameswaram island in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is situated in Ramanathapuram district. The geographic coordinates are 9°17′17″N 79°19′02″E. Rameswaram is on Pamban Island, separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel, and is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. It is in the Gulf of Mannar, at the tip of the Indian peninsula. Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, is connected to mainland India by the New Pamban Bridge. Rameswaram is the terminus of the railway line from Chennai and Madurai.
- Status as a Jyotirlinga and Paadal Petra Sthalam: It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples. This temple is the southernmost of all the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, the sacred sites glorified by the Nayanars (Shaivite poet-saints), Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandar, with their songs.
- One of the Char Dham Pilgrimage Sites: The temple is one of the holiest Hindu Char Dham (four divine sites) sites comprising Badrinath, Puri, Dwarka, and Rameshwaram. The four monasteries lie across the four corners of India, and their attendant temples are Badrinath Temple at Badrinath in the North, Jagannath Temple at Puri in the East, Dwarakadheesh Temple at Dwarka in the West, and Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram in the South.
- Connection to Adi Shankara and Advaita School: Though the origins are not clearly known, the Advaita school of Hinduism, established by Sankaracharya, who created Hindu monastic institutions across India, attributes the origin of Char Dham to the seer. Adi Shankaracharya, an 8th-century sage, established the Char Dham.
- Comparison with Chota Char Dham: There are four abodes in the Himalayas called Chota Char Dham (Chota meaning small): Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri—all of these lie at the foothills of Himalayas. The name Chota was added during the mid-20th century to differentiate the original Char Dhams. The Char Dham pilgrimage is an all-Hindu affair. Traditionally the trip starts at the eastern end from Puri, proceeding in a clockwise direction, a manner typically followed for circumambulation in Hindu temples.
Legends of Rama and the Shiva Lingams
The temple’s profound spiritual significance is deeply interwoven with the epic Ramayana and Lord Rama’s devotion to Shiva.
- Rama’s Worship of Shiva before Crossing to Lanka: According to tradition, the lingam (an aniconic form of Shiva) of the Ramanathaswamy Temple was established and worshipped by Rama before he crossed the bridge called Rama Setu to the island kingdom of Lanka, identified with Sri Lanka. In the Yuddha Kanda of the Ramayana, on their journey back to Ayodhya, Rama narrates to Sita the appearance and worship of Shiva in the form of a lingam on the island of Rameswaram before the construction of his bridge to Lanka. He describes the spot to be supremely sacred and capable of expiating major sins. Lord Rama is believed to have performed Brahmahatya dosha puja here to absolve himself of the sin of killing Ravana, a Brahmin.
- Shiva Purana: Rama Propitiating Shiva: In the Shiva Purana, Rama propitiates Shiva on the shore of Rameswaram in the form of a lingam by the repetition of mantras, meditation, and dancing. Pleased, the deity appeared before Rama and granted his requested boon of victory over Ravana. Rama then requested the deity to remain on the island to sanctify the world and offer his grace to all people. The text states that the worship of the Rameshvara lingam offers worldly pleasures and salvation for its devotees.
- Two Lingams in the Sanctum: Ramalingam and Vishvalingam: There are two lingams inside the sanctum. According to tradition, one built by Rama from sand, residing as the main deity, is called the Ramalingam. The other was brought by Hanuman from Kailash, called the Vishvalingam.
- Rama’s Instruction for Worship: Rama is said to have instructed that the Vishvalingam be worshipped first since it was brought by Hanuman—the tradition continues even today.
Architectural Grandeur: India’s Longest Temple Corridor
The Ramanathaswamy Temple boasts an architectural marvel that sets it apart: its extraordinarily long corridors.
- Longest Corridor in India: The temple has the longest corridor among all the Hindu temples of India. The outer set of corridors is reputed to be the longest in the world. A historic image from 1913 shows the temple corridor.
- Dimensions of Outer Corridors: The outer set of corridors measures about 6.9 m in height. It stretches for 400 feet each in the east and west, and about 640 feet in the north and the south. The inner corridors are about 224 feet each in the east and west and about 352 feet each in the north and the south. Their width varies from 15.5 feet to 17 feet in the east and west, and about 172 feet on the north and south with width varying 14.5 feet to 17 feet. The total length of these corridors is 3850 feet.
- Number of Pillars: There are about 1212 pillars in the outer corridor. Their height is about 30 feet from the floor to the center of the roof. Most pillars are carved with individual compositions. These 1212 pillars are built in such a way that when looked from one end, all pillars meet at a single point at each end.
- Compound Wall and Gopurams: Like all ancient temples in South India, there is a high compound wall (madil) on all four sides of the temple premises, measuring about 865 feet furlong from east to west and one furlong of 657 feet from north to south, with huge towers (Gopurams) to the east and the west and finished gate towers to the north and south. The main tower or rajagopuram is 53 m tall. The towering gopurams at its entrance stand tall as a symbol of Dravidian design.
- Second Corridor: The second corridor is formed by sandstone pillars, beams, and ceiling.
- Chokkattan Madapam: The junction of the third corridor on the west and the paved way leading from the western gopuram to the Setumadhava shrine forms a unique structure in the form of a chess board, popularly known as Chokkattan Madapam, where the Utsava deities are adorned and kept during the Vasanthotsavam (Spring festival) and on the 6th day festival in Adi (July–August) and Masi (February–March) conducted by the Sethupathi of Ramnad.
- Creator of the Third Corridor: The world-famous third corridor was constructed by Muthuramalinga Setupati, who lived for forty-nine years and ruled between 1763 and 1795. The corridor was called “Chokkatan Mandapam”. The Mukhya Pradhani (Chief Minister) was Muthuirullappa Pillai and the Chinna Pradhani (Deputy Chief Minister) was Krishna Iyengar. The Setupati’s statue and those of his two Pradhanis (monitors) can be seen at the western entrance to the third corridor.
- Composite Columns of Virabhadra: The composite columns of Virabhadra holding sword and horn are found to be additions of the Vijayanagara kings during the early 1500s. Similar columns of Virabhadra are built by Madurai Nayak kings in Adikesava Perumal Temple at Thiruvattaru, Meenakshi Temple at Madurai, Nellaiappar Temple at Tirunelveli, Kasi Viswanathar temple at Tenkasi, Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy temple, Soundararajaperumal temple at Thadikombu, Srivilliputhur Andal temple, Srivaikuntanathan Permual temple at Srivaikuntam, Avudayarkovil, Vaishnava Nambi and Thirukurungudivalli Nachiar temple at Thirukkurungudi.
Historical Journey and Royal Patronage
The Ramanathaswamy Temple has a long and complex history of development and patronage.
- Early Form and Expansion by Pandya Dynasty: At the beginning, Ramanathaswamy Temple was a thatched shed. The temple was expanded during the 12th century by the Pandya Dynasty. The current structure of the temple was built in the 17th century by kings of India, with important contributions from the kings of Sri Lanka.
- Sanctum Renovation by Jaffna Kings: Its principal shrine’s sanctum was renovated by Jeyaveera Cinkaiariyan (1380–1410 CE) and his successor Gunaveera Cinkaiariyan (Pararacacekaran V), monarchs of the Jaffna kingdom. King Jeyaveera Cinkaiariyan shipped stone blocks from Koneswaram temple, Trincomalee, to renovate the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. Gunaveera Cinkaiariyan, a trustee at Rameswaram who also oversaw structural development of this temple and the promotion of Saivite beliefs, donated part of his revenue to Koneswaram. The Jaffna kingdom (1215–1624 CE) had close connections with the island and claimed the title Setukavalan, meaning custodians of the Rameswaram. Hinduism was their state religion, and they made generous contributions to the temple.
- Sri Lankan Kings’ Contributions: The rulers of Sri Lanka also contributed to the temple; Parakrama Bahu (1153–1186 CE) was involved in the construction of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Sri Lankan king Nissanka Malla also contributed to the temple’s development by making donations and sending workers.
- Malik Kafur’s Raid (early 14th century): According to Firishta, Malik Kafur, the head general of Alauddin Khalji, the ruler of Delhi Sultanate, reached Rameswaram during his political campaign in spite of stiff resistance from the Pandyan princes in the early 14th century. The records left by the court historians of the Delhi Sultanate state that Malik Kafur raided Madurai, Chidambaram, Srirangam, Vriddhachalam, Rameswaram, and other sacred temple towns, destroyed the temples which were sources of gold and jewels. He brought back enormous loot from Dwarasamudra and the Pandya kingdom to Delhi in 1311. He also erected a mosque by name Alia al-Din Khaldji in honour of victory of Islam.
- Temple Construction in Current Form (17th Century): The temple in its current form is believed to have been built during the 17th century. Fergusson believes the small vimana in the west corridor belongs to the 11th or 12th century. The temple is said to have been sanctioned for construction by King Kizhavan Sethupathi or Raghunatha Kilavan. The pride of place in the establishment of the Temple goes to the Setupatis of Ramanathapuram. In the seventeenth century, Dalavai Setupati built a portion of the main eastern Gopuram.
- Village Grants: Pappakudi, a village, was donated as a grant to Rameshwaram Temple and one Deva Venkala Perumal Ramanathar of Madurai Nayak king in (1667 CE) by Perumal Servaikaran, son of Sokkappan Servaikarar, who belongs to Pandiyur. They were local chieftains under Tirumalai Regunatha Sethupathy Rein in Ramnad Kingdom. The grant details are published by Government Press, Madras Presidency for Archeological Survey of India in 1885. Along with Pappakudi, Anandur and Urasur villages were also donated to Rameshwaram Temple. These villages fall under Melaimakani Seermai province of Radhanallur Division.
- Thanjavur Maratha Kings’ Contributions: The Maratha kings who ruled Thanjavur established chatrams or rest houses throughout Mayiladuthurai and Rameswaram between 1745 and 1837 CE and donated them to the temple. Especially to be remembered are the immense sums that were spent during the tenure of Pradani Muthirulappa Pillai towards the restoration of the Pagodas which were falling into ruins and the splendid Chockattan Mantapam or the cloistered precincts of the temple at Rameswaram that he finally completed.
Temple Complex and Sacred Water Bodies (Tirthas)
- Separate Shrines: There are separate shrines for Ramanathaswamy and his consort goddess Parvathavardhini, separated by a corridor. There are separate shrines for the goddess Vishalakshi, the utsava images, sayanagriha, Vishnu, and Ganesha.
- Samadhi of Yogi Patanjali: The samadhi of the great Yogi Patanjali is said to be at this temple and there is a separate shrine for him here.
- Various Halls: There are various halls inside the temple, namely Anuppu Mandapam, Sukravara Mandapam, Setupati Mandapam, Kalyana Mandapam, and Nandi Mandapam.
- Sixty-four Tīrthas: There are sixty-four Tīrthas (holy water bodies) in and around the island of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India. According to Skānda Purāṇa, twenty-four of them are important. Bathing in these Tīrthas is a major aspect of the pilgrimage to Rameswaram and is considered equivalent to penance. Twenty-two of the Tīrthas are within the Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple. The number 22 indicates the 22 arrows in Rama’s quiver.
- Agni Theertham: The first and major one is called Agni Theertham, the sea (Bay of Bengal). It is located on the eastern beach corner of Sri Ramanathaswamy temple. This Tirtham is one of the most visited Tirthams of Rameswaram for a holy bath. The Ramanathaswamy Temple Theertham is very special, with 22 theerthams in the form of a pond and a well, representing the 22 arrows of Sri Rama. The legend of Agni Teertham is related to the return journey of Rama with Sita after his victory over Ravana. Lord Rama had prayed to Lord Shiva to recompense his sins of killing a Brahmin, and he had bathed in the waters of Agni Teertham. It is also believed to be the place where Sita underwent her ordeal by fire, or agnipariksha.
Administration and Future Plans
- Management: The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
- Renovation and Consecration Plans: The temple comes under the renovation and consecration of the 630 temples planned by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The consecration of the temple was planned during 2013.
- Pathways to Holy Theerthams: Temple authorities had planned to renovate and widen the pathways to the 22 holy theerthams of the temple.
- Free Meals Scheme: The temple is among those offering free meals under the Free Meals Scheme of the government, which provides meals to devotees of the temple. A pilgrim house is planned by the government to extend the scheme to more pilgrims.
The Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga, a sacred jewel nestled on Rameswaram island, stands as a powerful testament to India’s rich spiritual and historical heritage. As one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas, a pivotal Char Dham site, and a Paadal Petra Sthalam, its unique longest corridor and profound legends of Lord Rama’s devotion to Shiva lend it unparalleled significance.
From the dual lingams of Ramalingam and Vishvalingam to the sixty-four holy Tīrthas and the enduring legacy of royal patrons, the Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga Temple offers a deeply immersive pilgrimage experience. This sacred site, where faith bridges the divine with the terrestrial, continues to draw millions of devotees seeking spiritual solace, purification, and a profound connection with the timeless essence of Lord Shiva. For an official description and visitor information from the government tourism authority, see the detailed temple overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
1: What is the main legend of Ramanathaswamy Temple?
The main legend of Ramanathaswamy Temple is that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here by establishing a lingam made of sand before crossing to Lanka to rescue Sita. He sought Shiva’s blessings for victory over Ravana and requested Shiva to reside there eternally as Rameshvara to sanctify the world.
2: Why are there two Shiva Lingams in the sanctum?
There are two Shiva Lingams in the sanctum: the Ramalingam, which was built by Lord Rama from sand, and the Vishvalingam, which was brought by Lord Hanuman from Mount Kailash. According to Rama’s instruction, the Vishvalingam is worshipped first.
3: What is unique about the corridor of this temple?
The Ramanathaswamy Temple is famous for having the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India. Its outer corridors measure about 3850 feet in total length and are lined with approximately 1212 intricately carved pillars.
4: How many holy tirthas are there in and around Rameswaram?
There are sixty-four Tīrthas (holy water bodies) in and around the island of Rameswaram, with twenty-four considered important according to the Skānda Purāṇa. Notably, twenty-two of these Tīrthas are located within the Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple premises, and they are believed to represent the 22 arrows in Rama’s quiver.
5: What is the significance of Rameswaram as a Char Dham site?
Rameswaram is one of the four holiest Hindu Char Dham pilgrimage sites in India, located in the southernmost corner. The Char Dham pilgrimage, attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, involves visiting four cardinal points of India, and a pilgrimage to Rameswaram, including a bath in the Ganges, is believed to lead one on a path to moksha (liberation). For more context on how Rameswaram fits into India’s national pilgrimage circuit, refer to the section on sacred sites in India’s official tourism portal.
For further exploration of India’s spiritual heritage, delve into other [Jyotirlingas]
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