The Rameshwaram Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, which represent the supreme form of Shiva’s energy. The Jyotirlinga is a symbol of the infinite and formless aspect of Lord Shiva, manifesting as a column of light. It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared as a Jyotirlinga in twelve sacred places across India, and these places are revered as highly auspicious for the worship of Shiva.
The Jyotirlinga at Rameshwaram is particularly significant because it is associated with Lord Rama’s devotion to Shiva, symbolizing the convergence of two of the most important deities in the Hindu pantheon—Vishnu (in the form of Rama) and Shiva. Devotees believe that worshipping this Jyotirlinga not only absolves them of sins but also helps them attain salvation. It is said that performing rituals at this Jyotirlinga brings immense spiritual merit and paves the way for liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
The Ramanathaswamy Temple is renowned for its impressive architecture, intricate carvings, and its long, pillared corridors, which are among the longest in the world. The temple complex covers an area of about 15 acres and is enclosed by high walls. It is an exemplary piece of Dravidian architecture, with magnificent towers (Gopurams), sculpted pillars, and sacred tanks.
The Pillared Corridors
One of the most striking features of the temple is its corridors, which stretch for nearly 1,220 meters (4,000 feet) and have over 1,200 intricately carved pillars. These corridors are considered some of the longest in the world and create an awe-inspiring pathway for devotees as they approach the sanctum sanctorum. The grandeur of these corridors, along with their symmetric beauty, makes the temple a marvel of ancient Indian architecture.
The Gopurams (Temple Towers)
The East Gopuram and West Gopuram of the temple are architectural masterpieces, standing tall and welcoming devotees into the sacred complex. The East Gopuram rises to a height of 53 meters (173 feet) and is adorned with intricate sculptures and carvings, showcasing various mythological figures and stories.
The Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhagriha)
At the heart of the temple is the sanctum sanctorum, which houses the two sacred lingams—Ramalingam and Viswalingam. The temple rituals dictate that the Viswalingam, brought by Lord Hanuman, is worshipped first, followed by the Ramalingam. The divine energy radiating from the sanctum is palpable, and devotees believe that their prayers and rituals performed here are directly answered by Lord Shiva.
The Ramanathaswamy Temple is a place of intense devotion, and various rituals and poojas are performed throughout the day. These rituals are rooted in ancient Vedic traditions and are believed to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva and grant spiritual fulfillment to the devotees. Some of the most important poojas and rituals include:
Spatika Lingam Pooja
The Spatika Lingam (crystal lingam) pooja is performed early in the morning, and it is one of the most important rituals at the temple. The lingam is made of a transparent crystal that represents purity, and offering prayers to it is believed to purify the devotee’s mind and soul. The pooja includes abhishekam (bathing of the lingam) with holy water, milk, honey, and other sacred substances.
Abhishekam and Rudrabhishekam
Abhishekam is a sacred ritual in which the Shiva Lingam is bathed with various substances, such as milk, curd, ghee, honey, and water from the temple’s sacred wells. Devotees perform Rudrabhishekam, a powerful Vedic ritual, to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. This ritual is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to devotees and help remove any negative influences in their lives.
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri is one of the most important festivals celebrated at Rameshwaram. On this auspicious day, devotees fast, chant mantras, and offer special prayers to Lord Shiva throughout the night. The temple is beautifully decorated, and thousands of devotees participate in the special poojas and abhishekams conducted during the festival. The energy and devotion during Maha Shivaratri create an atmosphere of intense spirituality.
The Ramanathaswamy Temple is surrounded by 22 sacred wells, known as Theerthams, each of which has unique religious significance. Pilgrims traditionally bathe in these wells before entering the temple for worship. The water from these wells is said to have purifying properties and is believed to absolve devotees of their sins. Some of the important Theerthams include:
Agni Theertham
The Agni Theertham is located at the seashore, near the temple. According to legend, Lord Rama performed a ritual here to cleanse himself of the sin of killing Ravana. Devotees take a dip in the waters of Agni Theertham to purify themselves before entering the temple.
Mahalakshmi Theertham
The Mahalakshmi Theertham is one of the most important wells within the temple complex, and it is believed that taking a bath in its waters brings prosperity and removes obstacles from one’s life.
Sethukarai Theertham
The Sethukarai Theertham is associated with Lord Rama’s construction of the bridge (Ram Setu) to Lanka. Devotees bathe in its waters to seek blessings for the removal of obstacles and the fulfillment of desires.
Maha Shivaratri
As mentioned earlier, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with immense devotion, with special rituals conducted throughout the night in honor of Lord Shiva.
Ramalingam Pratishtha Day
This festival marks the day when Lord Rama established the Ramalingam, the Shiva Lingam made of sand. Special poojas and processions are conducted to commemorate this event, and thousands of devotees participate in the celebrations.
Navaratri
The Navaratri festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm at the temple, with special prayers and rituals dedicated to Goddess Durga. The temple is adorned with lights and flowers, and devotees participate in poojas to seek the blessings of the Goddess for prosperity and well-being.
