Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram

Distance from Madurai

About 175 km

Nearest airport

Madurai

Nearest railway station

Rameswaram

Significance

Jyotirlinga and Char Dham

Dress code

Traditional clothing

Legend

Tradition says that Rama worshipped Shiva here after his war in Lanka. He sent Hanuman to bring a lingam from Kailash, but when Hanuman was delayed, Sita shaped one from sand. That lingam is worshipped as Ramanathaswamy. The lingam Hanuman eventually brought, called Vishwalingam, was installed too, and by Rama's instruction it receives worship first, a custom still followed.

What to see

The temple grew from a modest shrine into a huge complex under the Pandyas, the Sethupathi rulers of Ramanathapuram and others. Its corridors, lined with raised platforms and carved pillars, are often described as the longest temple corridors in the world. There are separate shrines for Ramanathaswamy and the goddess Parvathavardhini.

Pilgrims first bathe in the sea at Agni Theertham, just outside the east gate, and then move through a series of sacred wells within the temple, where attendants pour water over them. Carry a change of clothes if you plan to take part.

Timings and dress code

The temple opens early, around 5 am, closes for a few hours around midday and reopens in the afternoon until about 8 pm; check the latest timings before you go, as they can change on festival days. Traditional dress is expected: men in a veshti or full-length trousers, with a shirt or angavastram, and women in a sari or a salwar suit with dupatta.

• Maha Shivaratri
• Aadi Thirukalyanam
• Vasanthotsavam
• Ramalinga Prathishtai
• Brahmotsavam

How to reach

Madurai has the nearest airport, roughly 175 km away, about four hours by road. Rameswaram railway station is a short auto ride from the temple, and buses run from Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and other towns. Traditionally, a complete pilgrimage links Rameswaram with Kashi. We can plan a Madurai and Rameswaram trip with a car and driver.

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