History
Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Temple is located in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. Jyoti Ling located in the Rameswaram temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and Rameshwaram is considered the eleventh Jyotirling. it is one of the main pilgrim centers of Hindus. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is one of the Char Dhams of Hindus. Rameshwaram is nearly four and a half miles southeast of Chennai. It is a beautiful conch-shaped island surrounded by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal.
Lord Ram and Goddess Sita made a Shiva Lingam out of sand and water. The history of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Temple dates back to the Ramayana period. Devotees strongly believe that Lord Rama made the Linga and installed it here. According to the legend, Lord Rama and his wife Sita were returning from Lanka after killing Ravana, who was half and half-demon Brahmin.
Because killing a Brahmin is a sin, Lord Rama desired to worship Lord Shiva and ask his pardon. He had sent Lord Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring Lord Shiva’s idol. Lord Rama and Sita were living on the island and when they tried to drink the water, a magnificent and effective voice spoke to them.
What are the timings of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Temple?
The temple opens at 6 AM and closes at 9 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning, afternoon, and evening poojas.
Rituals timings are as follows:
| Rituals | Timings |
| Palliyarai Deepa Aradhana | 5:00 AM |
| Spadigalinga Deepa Aradhana | 5:10 AM |
| Thiruvananthal Deepa Aradhana | 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 Jyotirlinga Temple Architecture
The Rameshwaram Temple has striking architecture that allures tourists from all over the world. Like all other temples in South India, it has a high wall which guards the temple against all four sides. The wall measures about 865 feet from east to west and 675 feet from north to south. The long corridors running between huge colonnades on five feet high platforms form part of the temple’s interior. The second corridor is built with sandstone pillars, beams and ceiling. On the west lies the third corridor which paves the way to the Setumadhava shrine. The total length of these corridors is around 3850 feet and are reputed to be the longest in the world.
There are 1212 outstanding pillars in the outer corridor of the Rameshwaram Temple and raja gopuram is the 53 metres tall prominent tower amongst all. The main halls of the temple are- Anuppu Mandapam, Sukravara Mandapam, Setupati Mandapam, Kalyana Mandapam and Nandi Mandapam. There are two lingams inside the temple. The first one is the main deity, Ramalingam and was built by Sita. The second one, Vishwalingam, was brought by Hanuman from Kailash. Apart from this, there are twenty-two tirthas, or holy water bodies located inside the temple premises. The devotees take baths in tirthas to get rid of their sins. The major one is Agni Theertham.
Tips For Visiting Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Temple
- Tourists are expected to wear decent clothes. Men can wear kurta and dhoti or pyjama while women should wear sarees or suits.
- No advance booking is available for attending poojas and rituals of the temple. You have to purchase tickets from the counters once you reach the temple.
- Take care of your belongings as Rameshwaram is a crowded place. You can get mugged easily.
How To Reach Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Temple?
Rameshwaram Temple is centrally located in Rameshwaram City and can be accessed by almost all modes of transport. Autos are the major source of transportation within the city and it is easy to travel to the temple by auto. Just make sure to check if they calculate the fare by the meter.
If you wish to travel in comfort, you can hire a cab or car through rentals. You can choose the car according to the number of people. Book the cab for half day or full day to avoid the waiting charges.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Temple
Is the Rameswaram Temple open throughout the year?
Yes, the Rameswaram Temple is open all 365 days of the year.
What is the entry fee?
Entry to the Rameswaram Temple is free of cost.
Is there any online darshan facility available?
No. There is no facility for online darshan available.
Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizens?
No. There is no facility for specially-abled and senior citizens.
What is the weather like during the summer?
The summers in Rameswaram start in April and continue until June. The summers here can be very hot and dry. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 45 º C.
