Rameshwaram Temple

Rameshwaram Temple, which is also known as Ramanathaswamy Temple of Tamil Nadu, is a perfect mixture of spiritual significance and mind-boggling architecture, and this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is the perfect treat for the eyes of visitors, and it also boasts of being one of the twelve Indian Jyotirlinga temples. Rameshwaram Temple has immaculate carvings on the pillar and is the longest corridor in the world, and it is appealing both architecturally and spiritually. The construction of this temple was concluded by several rulers and popular kings over the years, whereas the Lingam of the Rameshwaram Temple was installed here by Lord Rama himself. The one very interesting fact about this temple is that there are two Lingams installed in this temple which are as follows:

1)Shivlingam

2) Ramalingam

To keep or preserve the words of Lord Rama while he was installing Shivlingam inside the temple, the latter is still worshipped first. There are many indulging festivals that are worth witnessing while having a visit to this temple beside the Poojas and daily Abhishekams performed with great zeal. There are many other interesting and unique facts about this temple that will be uncovered in this article. Apart from these, this article also describes the history, timings, architectural design, and many other rich properties of Rameshwaram Temple.

Rameshwaram Temple: History

A very interesting legend is related to this Rameshwaram Temple and that's why knowing its history becomes even more interesting and worth time investing in. It is believed that after Ravana, who was a Brahmin, was killed by Lord Rama, who was saving his wife Sita from Ravana, he wanted to expiate the 'dosha' (loosely translates to Crime) of a Brahmin is killed by him, even though it was an attempt to save his wife. Therefore, Lord Rama along with his wife Sita, and his younger brother, Lord Laxman, followed the advice of sages and instructed Lord Laxman to install and worship a Lingam at this place. So, in order to absolve the sins of him and his elder brother, Lord Laxman, following the advice of sages and instructions of Lord Rama, installed and worshipped a Lingam at this place.

Lord Rama also asked Lord Hanumana to bring this Linga from the Himalayas as he wanted to install and worship the largest Lingam ever installed at that time. But going to the Himalayas and taking a Lingam back with him, was a very time-taking process for Lord Hanumana, and Lord Rama didn't want to wait that long. Therefore, while Lord Hanuman was on his journey to the Himalayas to take a Lingam, Mata Sita herself made a small Lingam from sand, called Ramalingam, and installed it at this place and worshipped it to complete the process advised by sages. This Ramalingam is still installed in the Rameshwaram Temple, and there in the sanctum. When Lord Hanuman was back with a Lingam, he was very disappointed that Lord Rama did not worship the Lingam brought by him. Seeing the disappointment on the face of Lord Hanuman, Lord Rama placed his Ramalingam next to the Lingam brought by Lord Hanuman, and since then, it is known as Shivlingam, which was originally named by Lord Rama himself.

If anyone will ever see the beginning structure of Rameshwaram Temple, it will be impossible for to them recognize this temple as at the beginning, this temple was just a shed where Ramalingam and Shivlingam were placed next to each other. The rulers of the Setupati Dynasty who ruled this region for centuries are credited for the present construction and beautiful architecture of this temple. Dalavai Setupati, who was a ruler from the Setupati Dynasty in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century, built a portion of the eastern Gopura of this temple, and Muthuramalinga constructed Chokkatan Mandapam, which is the world-famous third corridor of the temple, in the late eighteenth century. Apart from these contributions, many other major contributions made towards this temple, including the contribution of the Jaffna kings of the Sethupathy dynasty is also praiseworthy. In order to renovate the temple, King Jeyaveera Cinkaiariyan also helped in the shipment of stone blocks from the other very famous temple of India, the Koneswaram temple. The structural development and maintenance of the Rameshwaram Temple were looked after by his successor Gunaveera Cinkaiariyan.

Rameshwaram Temple: Architecture

The architecture of the Rameshwaram Temple is very much striking, and it is also the primary reason that allures tourists from all over the globe.

Walls

This temple has a madil (or huge wall) which was built to guard the temple against all four sides, like all other temples of South India. The measurements of this madil or wall of the temple are as follows:

(1) It is around 675 feet from south to north,

(2) and, it is around 865 feet from west to east

Corridors

There are a total of three corridors present in the temple, and each of these corridors holds great significance to the cultural and spiritual history of the temple. These corridors are also very attractive and striking for visitors, and these corridors alone themselves allure tourists from all over the world. These corridors also work as a pathway for tourists coming by public or personal road vehicles. A brief description of all three corridors of the Rameshwaram Temple is mentioned below:

(1) The first or the longest corridor is running from the interior part of the temple on five feet high platforms that form part between huge colonnades

(2) Between the ceiling, beams, and sandstone pillar, the second corridor of the temple is built beautifully

(3) The third, which is built to pave the way to the Setumadhava shrine of the temple, lies on the west part of the temple

These corridors are reputed as the longest corridors in the world, and together, the total length of these corridors is around 3850 feet. Rajagopuram, whose total length is 50 meters, is the tallest and most prominent tower and pillar of the temple, and there are 1212 outstanding pillars in the outside corridor of the temple.

Halls

There are many halls present in the temple where Poojas and Abhishekams are performed daily following all rituals, but not all these temples are the main halls of the temple. All halls of the temple are beautifully designed, but the main halls of the temple hold greater significance and are carved perfectly. Following are the names of all main halls of the temple:

• Nandi Mandapam,
• Kalyana Mandapam,
• Setupati Mandapam,
• Sukravara Mandapam,
• and, Anuppu Mandapam

Lingams

As already mentioned in the history part, there are two Lingams present in the place, and both these Lingams are worshipped by devotees all around the world. Devotees of both Lord Rama and Lord Shiva come to visit this temple throughout the year. A brief overview of both these Lingams is written below:

1) Shivlingam: Popularly known as Vishwalingam, Shivlingam was one of the biggest Lingams that was brought by Lord Hanuman from Kailash (Himalayas)

2) Ramalingam: It is the main deity of the temple which is dedicated to Lord Rama

Other Parts of the Temple

The architecture of all main parts or attractions of the temple is already described above, but there are many other attractive parts of the temple still left to describe, and it is actually very hard to describe the architecture of all these parts in this article.

Rameshwaram Temple: Festivals Celebrated

In this temple, a number of festivals are celebrated which include festivals from all regions and cultures of India, and these festivals are one of the major attractions of this temple. But among all these festivals, there are some major festivals that attracts tourists from all over the world, and these major festivals are celebrated with fervor and gusto in the temple. Following is a complete list with a brief description of all major festivals that are celebrated in the Rameshwaram Temple with enthusiasm and full energy:

(1) Vasanthautsavam: Vasanthautsavam is a major festival of Rameshwaram that is witnessed for 10 days, and it is celebrated between May and June in the temple. The deity is worshipped with an abhisheka of rose water, incense, flowers, and sandal paste, and this festival marks the beginning of the spring season.

(2) Thirukkalyanam: Thirukkalyanam is a 17-day festival, which is celebrated between the months of July and August, and it also includes a car procession at the temple.

(3) ArudhraDarshanam: Another major festival celebrated at the Temple, ArudhraDarshanam is celebrated between the months of December and January, and it is a 10-day long festival. During this festival activities, devotees visualize and experience the astounding and breathtaking sight of the unveiling of the Natraj Statue (Natraj statue which is covered with Sandalwood at the temple all year), and these festivities are held at Uthirakosamangai.

(4) Ramalinga Prathista Utsavam: Ramalinga Prathista Utsavam is also one of the major festivals of Rameshwaram Temple which is celebrated between the months of June and July, and it is also celebrated for 10 days. During the celebration of this festival, deities are taken out in processions in the temple, and this festival also marks the day when the Ramalingam, which was built by Sita Mata, is installed in the temple.

(5) Mahashivratri: Mahashivratri, which is celebrated during the month of February-March, is another 10-day festival celebrated in the temple. Mahashivratri festival marks the day when Lord Shiva saved the world from ignorance and darkness and married Mata Parvati. During the festival celebration, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm, devotees flock together to worship their idols, and the lords are taken out from the temple in chariots on the street of the town.

(6) Navratri: Navratri, as the name suggests is a nine nights and ten days festival that is celebrated during the months of July and August, and during this festival, all nine forms of Goddess Durga Mata are celebrated. The tenth day of this festival marks the celebration of Dusshera (Vijya Dashmi).

Rameshwaram Temple: Entry Fees and Timings

(1) Various types of fees are charged at Rameshwaram Temple, and these fees are charged for performing different types of rituals in the temple. If a tourist or devotee wants to participate in these rituals, Abhishekams, or Aartis, they have to pay a pre-defined fee for that particular Abhishekam, Aarti, or Ritual. One can participate in any or all routine rituals of the temple by paying that pre-defined amount of fee, and the following are the prices that one has to pay for each ritual:

• Ambal Kavasam - INR 200
• Swamy Nagaparanam - INR 200
• Ambal Sahasranama Archanai - INR 200
• Swamy Sahasranama Archanai - INR 200
• Panchamirtha abhisheka - INR 1000
• 108 Sangabishegam - INR 1000
• 108 Kalasa Abishegam - INR 1000
• Rudrabishegam - INR 1500

(2) The timings are classified under two types which are given below:

(i) Timings of entry into the temple

(ii) Timings of Rituals performed in the temple

(i) Timings of entry into the temple:

Following are the timings for the tourists and devotees to enter the temple:

• 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the morning
• 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the evening

(ii) Timings of Rituals performed in the temple:

There are many different rituals, including Poojas, Aartis, and Abhishekams, which are daily performed in the temple, and the timings of these regular Poojas, Aartis, and Abhishekams are described below along with their name:

Name of the Ritual/ Abhishekam/ Pooja & Aarti                     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                                                                     12:00 PM
• Sayaratcha Pooja                                                                 6:00 PM
• Arthajama Pooja                                                                  8:30 PM
• Palliyarai Pooja                                                                    8:45 PM

Rameshwaram Temple: Tips for Visitors

While visiting the temple, there is nothing one should worry or fear about, but since it is a spiritual and religious tourist place, therefore one should keep some important things in their mind, such as what they should wear, and many more. Following are some important tips for tourists who are planning for visiting Rameshwaram Temple:

(1) One can easily get mugged at this temple since it is a very crowded place, and therefore, they should take care of their belongings.

(2) Tourists can purchase tickets from the ticket counter at the time of Poojas and Aartis only, as no advance booking is available for tourists for attending rituals and Poojas of the temple.

(3) Tourists are expected to wear decent kind of clothes inside the temple, which are suitable for a religious place like Rameshwaram Temple.