9 famous temples and photo galleries in Rameswaram
As a Hindu, I have always been proud of the rich traditions that our temples follow. Not everyone likes to visit temples on weekends. However, if you come to Rameshwaram and visit at least one temple in Rameswaram, your plans will change from then on. Yes, temples are one of the best to explore when it comes to South India tours. You will be amazed by the way these temples are built. It is really interesting to see the architectural craftsmanship in the temples of Rameswaram in India. The majestic city of Rameswaram has many temples. Here is a list of 9 temples to visit in Rameshwaram.
Below is a detailed list of important temples in Rameswaram:
1. Ramanaswamy Temple:
The most famous temple in Rameswaram is the Ramanathswamy Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Jyothirlinga. It is one of 12 Jyothirlinga temples. In the 12th century, the temple was enlarged. Shaivites, Vaishnavites and Smarthas consider this temple a holy place. The main deity of the temple is in the form of lingam or phallus stone. Ramanathswamy Temple is one of the four holiest sites in Hindu Char Dham. Ramanathswamy Temple is also known for having the longest temple corridor in the world. The priests of Ramanathaswamy Temple are Marathi Brahmins of Maharashtra.
- Temple fair time: Open all day – 4:30am to 1:00pm and 3:00pm to 8:30pm
- Temple Address: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526
- Dress Code: Wear simple traditional clothing. Jeans are not allowed.
- how can I get there: Landing by plane at Madurai Airport, 149 km from the temple. Trains and buses can often reach this location.
- Best time to visit: Due to its religious importance, the temple celebrates several Hindu festivals, so any of these occasions is a good time to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attractions: Pamban Bridge, Dhanushkodi Beach, Hanuman Temple, Cemetery of APJ Abdul Kalam.
2. Gandhartana Pravatan:
Gandhamadhana Parvatham is a mountain mentioned in the Ramayana from where Lord Hanuman is supposed to take herbs to save Laxman’s life. This is the mountain that Lord Hanuman carried on his shoulders. At the top of the mountain, there is a double-storey temple of Lord Rama, which also has his footprints on a chakra. The mountain temple is 3 kilometers away from the town and is said to be the highest point of Ramswaram. This temple is ranked 7th among attractions in Rameshwaram. The steps and walls of the temple are designed with white and red horizontal bars. This is a common design found in most temples in the south.
- Temple fair time: Open every Sunday from 7:00am to 1:00pm and from 3:00pm to 6:00pm
- Temple Address: 3 km from the island, Rameshwaram, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu – 623526
- Dress Code: There is no such specific dress code, but traditional ethnic clothing is worn.
- how can I get there: The nearest location is the city center, 2.5 km from the temple. It is also a good idea to go to the temple in the morning.
- Best time to visit: Several Hindu festivals such as Rama Navami are a good time to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attractions: Dhanushkodi Beach, Agni Theertham, Viloondi Theertham, Rameshwaram Temple.
[Read: Famous Temples to Visit in Chennai]
3. Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple:
The Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple is located 2 km from the Ramanaswamy Temple and is very sacred to Hindus. According to popular belief, Lord Hanuman is said to have revealed his pentahedron for the first time in this temple. Apart from a statue of Lord Hanuman painted in silver powder or vermilion, the temple has idols of Lord Rama, Lord Laxman and Goddess Sita. It is believed that the pumice stones in the temples were used during the Sethu Bandhanam mentioned in the Ramayana. It is one of the huge rock temples that can be seen in Rameshwaram. The statue is so beautifully carved that even the finest details can be seen in its remarkable architecture.
- Temple fair time: Open daily from 6:00am to 12:00pm and reopens from 4:00pm to 9:00pm
- Temple Address: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526
- Dress Code: No specific dress code
- how can I get there: This temple has access to all means of transport. It is possible to go by bus or even rent a taxi to reach the temple.
- Best time to visit: Hanuman Jayanti, Saturday and several other Hindu festivals are a good time to visit this temple
- Nearest Attractions: Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram Temple, Dhanushkodi Beach.
4. Jada Teesum:
Jada Tirtham is 3.5 km from the Ramanathswamy temple, famous in Hinduism for its sacred pond. According to popular belief, Lord Rama washed his Jata or tousled hair in this pond when he was about to worship Shiva Lingam after killing Ravana. Right next to the pond stands a temple dedicated to Lord Kapadiswara, the only temple in India dedicated to him.
- Temple fair time: Open from 6:00am to 11:00pm and 4:00pm to 8:00pm
- Temple address: Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 623526
- Dress Code: Wear traditional ethnic clothing.
- how can I get there: The temple is located 3.5 km from the Ramanathaswamy temple, so it can be reached by various means of transport. By bus.
- Best time to visit: Rama Navami and Shivratri are a good time to visit this sacred pond.
- Nearest Attractions: Dhanushkodi Temple, Adam Bridge, Water Bird Sanctuary.
5. Dhanushkodi Temple:
Dhanushkodi Temple is located in the small town of Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram and is lined with beautiful shoals, historical sites and magnificent sea. The town, on the beach, has an old temple, now completely in ruins. This temple is mentioned many times in different editions of the Ramayana. This place is a must visit for anyone who loves scenery and loves historical stories. It is one of the largest temples in Rameshwaram. Dhanushkodi Temple is one of the must visit temples in Rameshwaram.
- Temple fair time: Open daily at 6:00am and close at 7:00pm
- Temple Address: Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram, 623526, Tamil Nadu
- Dress Code: Wear simple clothes. Jeans are not allowed. If wearing shirts, they need to be removed before entering the temple.
- how can I get there: There are frequent buses that take you to this temple. It’s in an easily accessible location.
- Best time to visit: Several Hindu festivals as well as other days are also great for visiting the largest Rameshwaram temple.
- Nearest Attractions: Dhanushkodi Beach, Pamban Bridge, Adam Bridge, Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge
[Read: Best Temples in Coimbatore Must Visit]
6. Nambu Nayaki Amman Temple:
The Nambu Nayaki Amman Temple is a small South Indian shrine 8 km from the Ramanaswamy Temple dedicated to the goddess Dakshina Kali, who is worshipped for health and fertility. It is widely believed that the god appeared in the form of Dakshina Kali before two saints, Dakshina Duruvan and Pachima Duruvan. The two saints remained there to heal the locals as they were blessed by the goddess. It is believed that a childless devotee is blessed with a child if he prays with all his heart. There are also rumors that for those who are waiting for marriage or delaying it, they will get a good marriage proposal after praying to the goddess Nayakiamman in the south.
- Temple fair time: Open all day.
- Temple Address: Tamil Nadu 623526
- Dress Code: no dress code
- how can I get there: There are easy taxis and cars in Rameshwaram that can take you to the temple.
- Best Time to Visit: Navratri and several other festivals are a good time to visit this temple.
- Nearest Attractions: Lakshmana thirtham, Ramanathaswamy Temple, Agni Theertham,
7. Kothandaraswamy Temple:
Kothandaraswamy Temple is an ancient pilgrimage site in Rameswaram that is over 500 years old. The temple is close to the sea and is a suitable place to trace the footsteps of Lord Rama. Apart from deities of Lord Ram, the temple also houses deities of Sita, Laxman and Mount Vibi. Popular beliefs and the paintings on the temple walls say that Lord Rama performed his final rites of Pata Bishekham of Mount Vibi here. A unique feature of this temple is that it is the only temple that survived the cyclone that swept Dhanushkodi in 1964.
- Temple fair time: Open all day 6:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Temple Address: Temple, Kochi – Madurai – Dhanushkodi Rd, Munichallai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625009
- Dress Code: There is no specific dress code, but try to wear Indian national attire. If men wear shirts, they must take them off before entering the temple.
- how can I get there: The temple is 12 kilometers from the main city, so there are frequent buses, cars and taxis.
- Best time to visit: Any time of year is a good time to visit this historic temple.
- Nearest Attractions: APJ Abdul Kalam Burial place, Pamban bridge, Adam’s bridge, Thiruppullani
8. Lakshmanatir Tham:
Similar to Jada Tirtham, Lakshama Tirtham has a sacred pond near a temple dedicated to Lakshmana. It is close to the Ramanathswamy temple. The temple also has idols of Sita and Lord Rama. The walls of the temple consist of several carvings of the Ramayana. Pilgrims who visit here often take a dip in the holy pond. This is because of the history of Lord Lakshman placing Shiva Linga and praying to Lord Shiva to remove his sins by taking a bath in the pond. The temple is heavily celebrated during the Thai pooyam festival, where the god Ramanathaswamy can be seen in a parade of floating cars inside the Lakshmana Theertha pond.
- temple timing: Open daily from 6:00am to 12:00pm and 4:00pm to 8:00pm
- Temple Address: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526
- Dress Code: no dress code
- how can I get there: The temple is conveniently located. The nearest bus stop is Rameshwaram bus stop which is just 1 km from the temple. Visitors can choose to arrive by bus or by car or taxi.
- Best time to visit: The Thai Pooyam festival is a great time to visit this temple dedicated to Lord Lakshman.
- Nearest Attractions: Agni Theertham, Dhanushkodi Beach, Dhanushkodi Temple, Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge.
[Read: Amazing Temples in Tamil Nadu]
9. Verondi Tilsome:
Villondi Tirtham literally means buried bow. According to belief, this is where Lord Rama dipped his bow in sea water to quench his thirst. The site also houses a temple of Ekantha Ramar, which is believed to be where Lord Rama rested before attacking Lanka. This is one of the beautiful sights of Rameshwaram where you have the chance to cross a narrow bridge built over the sea. Villondi Tirtham is 7 km from Rameshwaram Temple on the main road, connected to Pamban Bridge.
- Temple fair time: Open 24 hours a day
- Temple Address: Ms Thangachi, Rameswaram – 623526, Tamil Nadu, Thangachimadam, Tamil Nadu 623526
- Dress Code: Wear dhoti or mund. If wearing a shirt, you must take it off when entering the temple. No modern or western dress is allowed.
- how can I get there: The nearest bus station is Rameshwaram bus station which is 6 km away and the nearest railway station is 11 km. There are government buses from Rameshwaram to this temple.
- Best time to visit: Any day of the year is a great time to visit this beautiful place.
- Nearest Attractions: Annai Indhira Gandhi Road Bridge, Pamban Bridge, Rameshwaram Temple, Ramanathaswamy Temple, APJ Abdul Kalam Cemetery.
You may have seen some of the most famous Rameshwaram temples by now. These temples are not just for spiritual enlightenment but can also be considered a tourist attraction. The usually preferred dress code here is traditional clothing. Explore our temples and learn more about their history Let us serve…