Being a Hindu, I have always felt proud because of the rich traditions that are followed in our temples. Not every people love to go for temple visit in the weekends. But if you come to Rameshwaram and visit at least one temple in Rameswaram, then your plans will be changed from then on. Yes, when it comes to South Indian tour, the temples are one of the best to be explored for. The way these temples are built will blow your mind. It is really interesting to see the architectural craftsmanship in the temples in Rameswaram India. The majestic city of Rameswaram houses many temples. Here enlisted are 9 of the temples to visit in Rameshwaram.
Here Is The List of Important Temples in Rameswaram With Details:
1. Ramanathswamy Temple:
The most famous temple located at Rameswaram is Ramanathswamy temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of a Jyothirlinga. It is one of the 12 Jyothirlinga temples. In the 12th century, this temple was extended. Shaivites, Vaishnavites and Smarthas consider this temple as a holy pilgrimage spot. The presiding deity of the temple is in the form of a lingam or phallic stone. Ramanathswamy temple is one of the four holiest Hindu Char Dham sites. Ramanathswamy temple is also famous for having the longest temple corridor in the world. The priests of Ramanathaswamy temple are Marathi Brahmins of Maharashtra.
- Temple Timings: Open on all days – 4:30 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm
- Temple Address: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526
- Dress Code: Wear simple traditional dress. Jeans not allowed.
- How to Reach: By flight drop down at Madurai airport which is 149 kms from the temple. Train and buses are frequently available to this location.
- Best Time to Visit: Several Hindu festivals are celebrated at the temple premised because of its religious importance and thus it is a great time to visit this temple on any of these occasions.
- Nearest Attraction: Pamban bridge, Dhanushkodi beach, Hanuman temple, Burial place of APJ Abdul Kalam.
2. Gandhamadhana Parvatham:
Gandhamadhana Parvatham is the mountain mentioned in Ramayana from where Lord Hanuman was supposed to fetch medicinal herbs to save Laxman’s life. This was the very mountain carried on his shoulders by Lord Hanuman. On the top of the mountain, there lies a double storied temple of Lord Rama which also houses his feet’s imprints on a chakra. The hill temple is located 3 km away from the town and is said to be the highest point of Rameswaram. This temple is ranked 7 among the places to visit in Rameshwaram. The steps and walls of the temple are designed with white and red horizontal bars. This is a common deisgn you will see in most of the temples in the South.
- Temple Timings: open on all days of the week at 7:00 am till 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Temple Address: 3 kms from island, Rameshwaram, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu – 623526
- Dress Code: there is no such specific dress code, but wear traditional ethnic wears.
- How to Reach: Nearest location is City Centre which is 2.5 km from the temple. Even walking is a good idea in the morning to the temple.
- Best Time to Visit: Several Hindu festivals such as Rama Navami are a good time to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attraction: Dhanushkodi beach, Agni Theertham, Viloondi Theertham, Rameshwaram temple.
3. Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple:
Located 2 kms away from Ramanathswamy temple, Panchmukhi Hanuman temple is highly holy for the Hindus. According to popular belief, it is said that Lord Hanuman revealed his five-faced form for the first time in this very temple. Apart from a statue of Lord Hanuman which stands smeared with sindoor or vermillion, the temple also has idols of Lord Rama, Laxman and Goddess Sita. The floating stone in the temple is believed to have been used during Sethu Bandhanam as mentioned in Ramayana. It is one of the gigantic rock temples in Rameshwaram one can see. The statue is carved so beautifully that even the finest details can be seen in its architectural excellence.
- Temple Timings: Open on all days from 6:00 am till 12:00 pm and reopens at 4:00 pm till 9:00 pm
- Temple Address: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526
- Dress Code: no specific dress code
- How to Reach: All modes of transportation are accessible to this temple. One can go by bus, or even hire a taxi to reach the temple.
- Best Time to Visit: Hanuman Jayanti, Saturdays as well as several other Hindu festivals are a good time to visit this temple
- Nearest Attraction: Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy temple, Rameshwaram temple, Dhanushkodi beach.
4. Jada Tirtham:
Jada Tirtham is located at a distance of 3.5 km away from Ramanathswamy temple and is famous among the Hindu for the presence of its sacred pond. According to popular belief, Lord Rama washed his Jata or matted hair in this very pond when he was about to worship Shiva lingam after killing Ravana. Just beside the pond, a temple stands next to it which is dedicated to Lord Kapardisvara which is the only temple in India dedicated to him.
- Temple Timings: Open throughout the week from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
- Temple Address: Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 623526
- Dress Code: wear ethnic traditional dress.
- How to Reach: This temple is located at 3.5 kms distance away from Ramanathaswamy temple hence one can reach to this temple by all means of transport. Rely on bus.
- Best Time to Visit: Rama Navami as well as Shivratri are a great time to visit this sacred pond.
- Nearest Attraction: Dhanushkodi temple, Adam’s bridge, water bird sanctuary.
5. Dhanushkodi Temple:
Dhanushkodi temple located in a small town of Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram is beautifully lined with shallow beaches, historical ruins and magnificent stretch of sea. The small town, on the beach, houses an ancient temple which is completely in ruins now. The temple has been mentioned many times in different versions of the Ramayana. The place is a must see for all who enjoys scenic beauty and loves historical stories. It is one of the biggest temples of Rameshwaram. Dhanushkodi temple is one among the must visit temples in Rameshwaram.
- Temple Timings: Daily opens at 6:00 am and closes at 7:00 pm
- Temple Address: Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram, 623526, Tamil Nadu
- Dress Code: wear simple dress. Jeans not allowed. If wearing a shirt, need to remove them before you enter inside the temple.
- How to Reach: there are frequent buses that take you to this temple. It is located at an easily accessible location.
- Best Time to Visit: Several Hindu festivals as well as other days too are great to visit the biggest temple of Rameshwaram.
- Nearest Attraction: Dhanushkodi beach, Pamban bridge, Adam’s bridge, Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge
6. Nambu Nayaki Amman Temple:
Nambu Nayaki Amman temple is a small South Indian shrine located at a distance of 8 km from Ramanathswamy temple is dedicated to Goddess Dakshina Kali who is worshipped for good health and fertility. Popular belief says that the deity appeared in front of two sages who were Dakshina Duruvan and Pachima Duruvan in the form of Dakshina Kali. The two sages continue staying there to cure local people as they were blessed by the sight of Goddess. It is believed that devotees who don’t have children if prayed with full heart shall be blessed with a child. There are also rumors that for people who are awaiting for marriages or having delay in marriages get good proposals after praying to Nambu Nayaki Amman goddess.
- Temple Timings: Open on all days.
- Temple Address: Tamil Nadu 623526
- Dress Code: no dress code
- How to Reach: taxis and autos are easily available at Rameshwaram that will take you to this temple.
- Best Time to Visit: Navratri as well as several other festivals are a great time to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attraction: Lakshmana thirtham, Ramanathaswamy temple, Agni Theertham,
7. Kothandaraswamy Temple:
Kothandaraswamy temple is an ancient pilgrimage spot in Rameswaram which is over 500 years old. The temple lies close to the sea and is an appropriate place to trace the footprints of Lord Rama. Apart from housing an idol of Lord Ram, the temple also has idols of Sita, Laxman and Vibhishan. Popular belief and the paintings in the temple wall says that Lord Rama performed the last rites of Pattabhishekam of Vibhishan here. One of the peculiar feature of this temple is that , this is the only temple that has survived the 1964 cyclone that washed away Dhanushkodi.
- Temple Timings: Open on all days 6:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Temple Address: Temple, Kochi – Madurai – Dhanushkodi Rd, Munichallai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625009
- Dress Code: No specific dress code, but try to wear Indian ethnic wear. If men wear shirt they have to remove it before entering the temple.
- How to Reach: The temple is located at 12 km away from the main city, hence frequent buses and autos and taxis are available.
- Best Time to Visit: Any time of the year is a great time to visit this historically significant temple.
- Nearest Attraction: APJ Abdul Kalam Burial place, Pamban bridge, Adam’s bridge, Thiruppullani
8. Lakshmana Tirtham:
Similar to that of Jada Tirtham, Lakshama Tirtham houses a sacred pond near the vicinity of a temple dedicated to Lakshmana. It is close to Ramanathswamy temple. The temple also has idols of Sita and Lord Rama. The temple wall consists of several engravings of the Ramayana. Pilgrims visiting the place often take a dip in the holy pond. This is because of the history where Lord Lakshman placed a Shiva Linga and prayed to Lord Shiva for vanishing his sins by taking a bath in the pond. The temple has a massive celebration during the Thai pooyam festival where the God Ramanathaswamy is seen on a floating car procession inside the Lakshmana Theertha pond.
- Temple Timings: Open on all days at 6:00 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
- Temple Address: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526
- Dress Code: No dress code
- How to Reach: The temple is located at ease of access. Nearest bus stand is Rameshwaram bus stand which is just 1 kms away from the temple. Tourists can either pick a bus or catch an auto or taxi and come.
- Best Time to Visit: The Thai Pooyam festival is a great time to visit this temple dedicated to Lord Lakshman.
- Nearest Attraction: Agni Theertham, Dhanushkodi beach, Dhanushkodi temple, Annai Indira Gandhi road bridge.
9. Villondi Tirtham:
Villondi Tirtham literally means the buried bow. This is the place as per beliefs where Lord Rama dipped his bow into the water of the sea to quench Sita’s thirst. The place also houses a temple of Ekantha Ramar which is believed to be the place where Lord Rama rested before attacking on Lanka. It is one of the beautiful places to visit in Rameshwaram as you get a chance to walk through a narrow bridge constructed above sea. Villondi Tirtham is located 7 kms away from the Rameshwaram temple on the main road, connecting Pamban bridge.
- Temple Timings: Open on all days 24 hours
- Temple address: Thangachi madam, Rameswaram – 623526, Tamilnadu, Thangachimadam, Tamil Nadu 623526
- Dress Code: Wear dhoti or mund. If wear in a shirt, you have to remove it while entering the temple. No modern or Western dresses allowed.
- How to Reach: Nearest bus stand is Rameshwaram bus stand which is 6 kms away, Nearest railway station is 11 kms away. There are government buses running from Rameshwaram to this temple.
- Best Time to Visit: Any day of the year is a good time to visit this beautiful location.
- Nearest Attraction: Annai Indhira Gandhi Road bridge, Pamban bridge, Rameshwaram temple, Ramanathaswamy temple, Burial palace of APJ Abdul Kalam.
By now, you might have seen some of the most famous Rameshwaram temples. These temples are not just for spiritual enlightenment, but also can be considered as a tourist spot. The dress code generally preferred here is traditional wear. Exploring our temples and knowing more about their history makes us proud of being an Indian. The stories of Gods and Goddesses that we have heard in Mahabharatha and Ramayana have evidences of these temples as well.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
1. Which temple in Rameswaram are dedicated to Lord Shiva?
Ans: The Ramanathswamy temple in Rameswaram is solely dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has one of the 12 Jyotirlinga dedicated to the Lord.
2. How far is Dhanushkodi from Rameswaram?
Ans: Dhanushkodi is a beach side uninhabited town, situated at a 21km distance from Rameswaram and can be easily accessed by roadways.
3. Which is the most architecturally significant temple in Rameswaram?
Ans: Every temple in Rameswaram holds a significant spot in the culture and history of Hindu Mythology but architecturally it is the Kothandaraswamy temple that holds a lot of importance as it survived the 1964 cyclone that ruined Dhanushkodi.
