Rameshwaram Temple is one of the Chardham and also a part of the 12 jyotirlinga. The Rameshwaram Ramanathaswamy temple is the only char dham dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is located in Tamil Nadu in the Southern Part of India.
The Rameshwaram temple has been named after Rama as believed that Ramayana happened here.
There are about 64 theerthas water found here of which 22 of them are inside the temple.
When you visit Rameshwaram Temple it is considered important to take a bath during this pilgrimage. From Rameshwaram is where the Ram Setu was also made to reach Lanka.
Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Highlights
Particulars |
Details |
Temple name |
Rameshwaram Temple |
|
Deity |
Lord Shiva |
|
Timings |
Opens at 4 AM |
Location |
East Car Street, Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, 623526 |
|
Best time to visit |
October to March |
|
Unique feature |
Char Dham and Jyotirlinga |
|
Built by |
Lord Rama |
|
Dress Code |
Traditional wear |
|
Photography |
Not Allowed |
|
Jyotirlinga Nearby |
Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga, Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga |
Rameshwaram Timings
Note that the temple opens at 4 am however the visitors can do the Darshan only from 5 am. The temple remains closed from 1 pm to 3 pm.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Morning |
5 AM - 1 PM |
|
Evening |
3:15 PM - 8 PM |
Rameshwaram Other Timings
| Timing | Activity |
|---|---|
| 4.00 AM | Temple opens |
| 5.00 AM - 6.00 AM | Spatiga Linga darshan |
| 6.00 AM - 1.00 PM | Moolasthana Darshan |
| 1.00 PM | Temple closes |
| 3.00 PM | Temple reopens |
| 3.15 PM - 8.00 PM | Darshan for devotees |
| 9.00 PM | Temple closes |
| 5.30 AM - 12.30 PM | 22 Theerthams open for pilgrims (morning session) |
| 3.00 PM - 7.00 PM | 22 Theerthams open for pilgrims (afternoon session) |
Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga Story
This temple is related to the Ramayana Period. It is said that Lord Ram had arrived here along with Sita and Lakshman and worshipped Shivlinga.
Lord Ram decided on an auspicious time to set up Shivalingam and sent Lord Hanuman to Mount Kailash to get the Shivilinga. But since Lord Hanuman couldn’t reach on time, Sita herself made a shivling from sand however, the worship ended only when Lord Hanuman returned with the shiva linga from Mount Kailasha.
Since then Lord Ram declared that there will be 2 Shivalinga named the Ramalingam – made out of sand by Sita, and the Vishwalingam – brought by Hanuman where Vishwalingam will be worshiped first. When Lord Rama worshiped Lord Shiva, It Displayed itself as Jyotirling.
Since Lord Rama worshiped Linga it is called as Ramanathaswamy and the place is known as Rameshwaram.
Chardhams of India
| Jagannath Puri Odisha | Badrinath |
| Rameshwaram | Dwarkadhish |
Rameshwaram Ticket Price
Entry to the temple is free for all. However, for any special Darshan, you can buy tickets from the venue.
|
Particulars |
Price |
|
Normal Darshan |
Free |
|
22 Theertham Bath Tickets |
Rs. 25 |
|
Swami Sannathi Special entrance darshan |
Rs. 100 |
|
Ambal Sannathi Special Entrance Darshan |
Rs. 50 |
Rameshwaram Online Ticket Booking
You can also book tickets beforehand to save time standing in the queues. The online tickets can be booked directly from the official websites. You can book tickets for 22 Theertham bath and special Darshan here.
To book tickets click on the link below:
How to Reach Rameshwaram
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Nearest Airport |
Madurai (Take a cab or bus) |
|
Nearest Railway Station |
Mandapam Station |
|
By Road |
Well connected by road |
- From Madurai Airport you can either book a Private Taxi that will cost you Rs. 3000 to reach Rameshwaram.
- You can take a bus from the MG bus stand in Madurai. The bus ticket costs Rs. 200. However, Remember the bus stand is about 15 km away from the Madurai Airport.
- Since the Pamban train bridge work is under construction you will have to take a train to Mandapam Station and then book a taxi to cover the distance to reach Rameshwaram Temple.
Accommodation at Rameshwaram
There are various hotels and Dharamshala available near the temple. You can book dormitories from the temple also.
Kindly note that during the season the place is crowded which makes finding hotels difficult. So it’s better to make your booking beforehand.
Dharamshala would cost you about Rs. 1200 for 2 people, while Hotels can cost Rs. 2500.
Points to Remember
- There are 4 gate entries at the Rameshwaram temple namely, East, West, North, and South Gate.
- Before visiting the temple you must take a bath at the Agni theertham which is situated opposite the East gate.
- There are lockers and Shoe stands available outside the temple where you can submit your mobile phones.
- During the morning the crowd is more when compared to afternoons.
- To take a bath in 22 theertham water available inside the temple you have to buy tickets from near the east gate entry for Rs. 25 each.
- It would take 1 - 2 hours to complete your Darshana in the temple.
- You can hire an auto for Rs. 1200 (Bargain on you) to cover a few places in and around Rameshwaram.
Places to visit near Rameshwaram
- Vibhishana Temple: This is the place where Vibishan, brother of Ravana came into the shelter of Lord Rama. This temple is on the way to Dhanushkodi and opposite the temple you can also find the floating stone. You can take pictures with the stone for a charge.
- Dhanushkodi: one of the most visited tourist places of Rameshwaram is Dhanushkodi which is the last road of India. It is about 20 km away from Rameshwaram and closes by 4:30 pm. So make sure to visit this place.
- Dr APJ Abdul Kalam House and Museum: You can also take a visit to the museum and learn about Abdul Kalam's life. Entry to the museum is free; however, entry to the house is restricted.
Jyotirlingas to visit
| Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga | Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga | Baidyanath Jyotirlinga | Srisailam Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga |
| Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga | Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga | Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga | Triambakeshwar Jyotirlinga |
| Somnath Jyotirlinga | Kedarnath Jyotirlinga | Shri Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga | Nageshwar Jyotirlinga |