Lord Shiva Temples
Located on the island of Rameshwaram, at the extreme southern corner of India, the hallowed temple of Ramanathaswamy, is a divine heaven where innumerable devotees assemble to pay tributes to the holy Hindu deity, Shiva. There is the temple which had been glorified by the songs of three of the most revered Nayanars- Appars, Sundarar and Tirugnana Sambandar. Built during 12th century by Pandya dynasty, the temple proudly showcases the longest corridor among all the Hindu temples of India. Both the Shaivites and Vaishnavites communities consider this as a holy spot. This is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of Shiva as well.
History
The temple and the island of Rameswaram have acquired this name because, Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, the God of Gods here on return from Sri Lanka. According to legend, after killing Ravana Lord Rama returned with his consort Goddess Seetha to India first stepping on the shores of Rameswaram. To expiate the "dosha" of killing a brahmin, Lord Rama wanted to offer worship to Lord Shiva. Since there was no shrine in the island had despatched Sri Hauman to Kailash to bring an idol of Lord Shiva.
Between 1897 and 1904, the ALAR family of Devakottai completed the imposing eastern tower of nine tiers 126 feet in height from Thiruppani funds. Between 1907 and 1925 they renovated the Sanctum Sanctorum and the prakaram(inner most corridor) by replacing the lime stones by black granite with adequate provision for light and ventilation and also arranged for the performance of Ashtabandana Kumbabishekam in 1925; then on 22-2-1947 and the third Ashtabandana Maha Kumbabishegam was performed on 5-2-1975.
How to Reach
By Air
The nearest airport is at Madurai, 163 km from Rameshwaram.
By Train
Rameshwaram is connected by rail with Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Thanjavur and other important cities. The two kilometers stretch of Indira Gandhi Bridge connects the island of Rameshwaram to the mainland of Mandapan.
By Road
The city is well connected to Madurai, Kanyakumari, Chennai and Trichy. It is also connected to Pondicherry and Thanjavur via Madurai.
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