What is the Procedure to Visit Rameshwaram Temple?
Ramanathaswamy Temple is a top attraction in Rameshwaram, located near Rameshwaram beach. It is believed to be one of the Char Dhams – visiting Ramanathaswamy temple completes the yatra. Read on to learn the procedure to visit Rameshwaram temple, including information about entry, guidelines, and more.
Landing at Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram is well connected by train and bus. There is plenty of government and privately operated buses that run every day. And if you’re planning to fly, Madurai is the nearest airport – it takes around 3 hours from Madurai Airport to Rameshwaram. Once you reach Rameshwaram by train or bus, we suggest taking a cab to the hotel. We recommend pre-booking the cab to avoid last-minute problems. If you’ve planned to stay in Rameshwaram for a day or two, we suggest booking quality hotels near Rameshwaram temple.
Taking a Dip in the Agnitheertham
Firstly, once you reach the Ramanathaswamy temple, you must visit the Agnitheertham, also called the Rameshwaram beach. People follow a particular order to worship the god here. The first step is taking a bath in the sea, considered holy by the Hindus. If you do not want to bathe, you could just wet your foot and sprinkle water on you. But remember, you will get drenched when visiting the remaining theerthams. So there’s no point in avoiding the Agnitheertham.
Visit the 22 Theerthams Inside the Temple
While theertham means water, in Hindu mythology, it refers to holy water and is associated with a temple. There are 64 such theerthams in Rameshwaram, of which 22 are considered sacred and located within the temple. Each of these 22 tanks is significant in terms of history and tradition. We suggest consulting a guide with sufficient knowledge about the procedure for visiting Rameshwaram temple to ensure you follow the proper order when taking a dip. All of these 22 tanks are freshwater wells and not saline. The process takes an hour and costs around INR 25 for each tank. You must line up near the well to have the holy water poured on your head at every theertham. Once you’re done, you can change your clothes and proceed to the main darshan.
Dress Code for Entering the Temple
- Men can wear shirts, dhoti, or vests except for t-shirts and jeans.
- Women can wear all types of dresses except t-shirts and jeans.
Entry into the Ramanathaswamy Temple
The temple covers an area of 15 acres. The temple has four gates: East, West, North, and South. The main entrance is through the East gate; make sure to keep your footwear near the east gate, which is easy when you come out.
Main Darshan to Jyotirlinga
The Ramanathaswamy temple is devoted to Lord Shiva in the devotional form called the Jyotirlinga. Excerpts from Ramayana claim that Sita made this linga with sand for Rama to worship. Interestingly, this is one of the twelve jyotirlingas spread across India. There is also another Shiva linga that Lord Hanuman brought from Mount Kailash, called the Vishwalingam. Your darshan will be magically filled with a divine experience. The intricately designed temple architecture will surely mesmerize even the most casual visitor.
Explore the Different Corridors of Rameshwaram Temple
The temple is renowned for its famous corridors. There are three corridors in total – the first is the oldest and is believed to date back to the 12th century. The second corridor has 108 Shiva lingams and a statue of Lord Ganapathi. The third corridor is the most famous and is believed to be the longest pillared corridor in the world with 1212 pillars. Every pillar has a height of about 23 feet and is beautifully carved. Interestingly, the granite used to make these pillars is unavailable locally and was probably sourced from elsewhere within Tamil Nadu.
This is indeed overwhelming, considering Rameshwaram is separated from mainland India and was likely shipped to the island.
Once you complete the darshan, consider exploring the rest of Rameshwaram. Some other attractions in Rameshwaram include Dhanuskodi, Pamban Bridge, Kalam National Memorial, and more.
Hope you got great insights on the procedure to visit Rameshwaram Temple. To explore the Ramanathaswamy temple and Rameshwaram, you can plan your stay in the best hotels in Rameshwaram near the temple. Visit us!
