Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu.

 16, March 2015. 

It was a long wish to go to Rameswaram. I had been to this temple earlier during the 1980s. It happened just like that. It was not planned. I applied for LTC when I was working with M/s SPIC. They sanctioned me, but I was forced to avail a week's holiday. Self and my wife started without planning. On reaching the Tuticorin bus stand a bus was waiting for Rameswaram. Boarded the bus and reached Rameswaram mandapam and from there by train and had darshan of Sri Ramanathaswamy. The road bridge was not constructed at that time. Now 35 years passed.  Due to age, I could not recollect my memories completely.  Also, I would like to do some pooja to my ancestors.  This time planned in advance. Since my son and daughter could not join us, my son booked for me and my wife.

Started our yatra from Chennai on 13^th March 2015 through Sethu Express and reached Rameshwaram around 4.30 Hrs on 14^th March 2015, Saturday.  Booked our stay at  Trichy Swamigal Nilayam, on the south Mada Street through Mr Nachiappan, who is one of my well-wishers. The Subramania Sastrigal was also arranged for performing the pooja and Pithrukadan through the caretaker Mr Ramasamy Chettiar.

On reaching Rameswaram, pooja and pitru dosha/kadan homam was performed at Sasthrikal’s residence. After pooja and homam left the pindam at Agni Theertham and had a bath. Again the Abhisheka water was poured on us and paid the Dhakshina to the sastrigal.

In the temple, the crowd was not much. But the paths and corridors are full of water for devotees' holy bath in the 22 Theertham. Went through the special darshan counter and had the opportunity to milk and Ganga water Abhishekam darshan to Moolavar. In the Ambal temple also we had the dharshan sitting on the sanctum entrance steps. As usual went around all the corridors and sannadhis and noted down the details for writing this post.

SRI RAMANATHASWAMY TEMPLE, RAMESWARAM.

This post was updated with Thevara Hymns, Architecture, History, Inscriptions, Legends Etc,. For the details of the updated post please click this link 

This is the 252^nd Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and 8^th sthalam of Pandya Nadu. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

 East side Rajagopuram with Sethupathy mandapam 

Moolavar    : Sri Ramanatheswarar

Consort      : Sri Parvathavarthini

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The Moolavar is of bana lingam (1) about 2 feet in height. On the head a five-headed hood Nagam-like umbrella. It was believed that the sanctum was constructed (from one of the epigraphs) in 1414 by the Sri Lankan king Pararaajaseka with the stones brought from Thirukonamalai ).

In Artha mandapam, Abhisheka platform and Upachara medai of 36 feet square. Vinayagar on the left and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar at the entrance of the sanctum. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Moolavar sannadhi with korai tooth. 

Maha mandapam is in front of Artha mandapam and people used to worship from her. There are two Lingas on either side of Maha mandapam.

On northwest Anjaneyar and on southwest Ramar, Seetha, and Lakshmana Anjaneya Urchavars in Cheppu/copper are there.

Moolavar Vimanam is of two tiers with stucco images. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar,  Brahma, and Durgai. Chandikeswarar is on the opposite to Durgai.

Urchavar Somaskandar (2a) is in a separate sannadhi on the south side of Chandikeswarar with Sanctum Sanctorum and Artha Mandapam. Somaskandar and  Amman are in a separate peeedam in a separate sannadhi on the south side of Sanctum Sanctorum.

On the back of urchavar sannadhi in the northwest  Seetha, Ramar, and Lakshmanan are in a separate mandapam.

Kasi Viswanathar sannadhi (2) is on the north side of Sri Ramanathaswamy sannadhi. It was believed that the Moolavar was brought from Kasi. Pooja is conducted to Kasi Viswanathar first and later to Sri Ramanathaswamy. The sannadhi is like a separate temple with artha mandapam single-tier vimanam and stucco images.

The corridor Around Sri Ramanathaswamy and Sri Kasi Viswanathar sannadhi is called First Prakaram. In the 1^st praharam sannadhi for, Usha Suryan and Prathyusha (3), Sahasra Linga(4), Cheppu and stone Thirumeni of 63 Nayanmar ( 5a & 5b), Sekkizhar, Saraswathy(6) on  Pathrapedam, Vinayagar (7), Sankaranarayanar(8) ( Shiva in half and Thirumal other half ), Arthanareeswarar (9) with their Vahanam Rishabam and simham, Chandrasekar & Gowri (10) in separate pedam,  Sri Valli Devasena samedha Murugan(11), Gajalakshmi (12), 11 Lingams of Ekatha rudhrars (13) and Visalakshi Amman (Kasi Visalakshi (14) is in a separate temple like sannadhi with artha mandapam and Vimanam), Saba mandapam (15), Jyotir lingam (16),  Krithika, Chandran, Rohini (17).

Rishaba mandapam, Dwajasthambam, and balipeedam (18 & 19) are at the entrance of the first corridor. Rishabam is of little big (22 feet in length, 12 feet in width, and 17 feet high ) and made of stucco /sudhai. Viswanathar and Krishnappa Nayak reliefs are on the mandapa pillar. The Nandhi has Urchavar, Vahana, and Murti like Thirumazhapadi. Navagrahas (20) are on the north side of Rishaba mandapam.

Maha Ganapathy (21) sannadhi sanctum sanctorum with a vimanam on the south side. Devi is on the lap of Sri Vinayagar. Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar (22) is on the north side. The construction is similar to Sri Vinayagar Sannadhi.

Parvathavarthini Amman sannadhi (23) is of separate temple type with Sanctum, Artha mandapam, Maha mandapam, and corridor. The vimanam is of single-tier type with stucco images. Amman temple is on the right of Moolavar temple. Amman is in standing posture on a Padma peedam and Sri Chakram is also installed. Chandikeswari is on the north side facing south. In Amman temple corridor Santhana and Sowbhagya Ganapathi (24),  Saptamatrikas (25)  ( Brahmi, Maheswari, Kowmari, Vaishnavi, Vaaraki, Indrani and Samundi.), Pallikonda Perumal (26) and  Palliyarai (27). Ashta Lakshmi (27a) is in the passage from the first praharam.

Sukravara mandapam (28) is out side Parvatha Vardhini Amman Temple. The mandapam has 32 pillars with reliefs. On the south corner Sri Kalyanasundareswarar, and Suryan are facing east Brahma and Vishnu face north. On the northwest Ashtalakshmi (27a) is a single stone slab. In the center of the mandapam Rishabam and Dwajasthambam are on a separate platform.

Navasakthi mandapam (29)  is on the way to second corridor from Sukravara mandapam. Between this and Rishaba mandapam  is the Shiva Theertham (30).

The second corridor is 352 feet on east to west direction and 244 feet on south to North with a width is 16 feet. Sannadhi for Vinayagar (31), Madappalli (32), Karuvoolam (33), Theerthams. Sethumadhava Sannadhi (34) is between 2^nd and 3^rd corridors. The sannadhi has Karuvarai, Artha mandapam and Maha mandapam and Vimanam. Vishnu Sannadhis (35) in the Northeast direction. Sethumadhavar Sannadhi and Vishnu Sannadhi have an entrance of sobhana type.

The third corridor is called Chokkattan mandapam. This has  1212 pillars of 22 feet & 7.5 inches. The length is 649 feet in east east-west direction and 395 feet on south to south-to-south direction with 15 15-foot width.  The platform height on both sides is 5 feet. When we come out of Sri Ramanatha Swamy sannidhi in the third praharam ceiling 12 Rashis with their Devadhas in 32 squares. Vahana rooms (36),  Stucco images of Sethupathi and Veerabhadra (37)  from the third corridor. Kothandaramar sannadhi (38) like a separate temple with sanctum sanctorum, Artha mandapam, and vimanam, stucco images of Sri Ramalinga Pradistai (39)– Ramar, Seetha and Lakshmana, Sukrivan, Vibeesnar.

Natarajar Sannadhi (40) is on the third corridor with sanctum, Artha mandapam, and Maha mandapam. On the east Anuppu mandapam, has stucco images and paintings of Shiva’s dances. Mahalakshmi sannadhi (42), Anjaneyar sannadi, Sethupathi mandapam (41), Kalyana mandapam (44).

The east Rajagopuram(45) is 126 feet with 9 tiers & 9 kalasas. This construction was started in 1629 by Thalavai Sethupathi and completed in 1904 by the Nattukottai Nagarathar A.L.A.R family.

The  West Rajagopuram (46) is of very old construction full of stone from 1434 and the height is 78 feet with 5 tiers. Vinayagar  (21)and Sri Subramaniar sannadhi (22) are the front.

Under construction are Urchavar Kalyana mandapam (49)  at the southwest corner, Southside (48), and Northside (47) 5-tier Rajagopuras.

TEMPLE TIMINGS :

The temple will be kept open for the devotees from 5 A.M to 9 P.M(except between 1 P.M and 3 P.M). The poojas are performed six times a day in this temple.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Website: http://www.rameswaramtemple.tnhrce.in/

E-Mail ID: lordramnath2012@gmail.com

The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer, 

Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - 623526. Ramanathapuram District.  

Phone No. : 04573 – 221223, Fax and Computer Section No. : 04573 - 223230

HOW TO REACH :

Train facilities are available from  Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Thanjavur, and other important cities. ( Train nos 755, 2790, 751, 0689, 6734, 753 from Madurai and 6713 & 6101 from Chennai ).

Bus facilities are available from Madurai, Kanyakumari, Chennai, and Trichy. It is also connected to Pondicherry and Thanjavur via Madurai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE:    CLICK HERE

DETAILS OF THE MAP

SL NO	DESCRIPTION	SL NO	DESCRIPTION
1	Sri Ramanathaswamy Sannadhi	31	Pillayar Sannadhi
2	Sri Kasi Viswanathar Sannadhi	32	Madapallai
2a	Somaskandhar Sannadhi	33	Karuvulam
3	Suryan Usha Prathyusa	34	Sethumadhavar sannadhi
4	Sahasra Lingam	35	Vishnu sannadhi
5a	63var ( cheppu )	36	Vahana mandapangal
5b	63var ( Stones )	37	Sethupathi and veerapathirar
6	Saraswathy	38	Kothandaramar sannadhi
7	Vinayagar	39	Sri Ramalinga Prathistai
8	Sankaranarayanar	40	Natarajar Sannadhi
9	Arthanareeswarar	41	Sethupathy Mandapam
10	Chandrasekar, Gowri, Pitchadanar	42	Mahalakshmi
11	Sri Murugan with Valli Devasena	43	Devasthanam Office
12	Gajalakshmi	44	Kalyana Mandapam
13	Eka sathrar – 11 lingas	45	East Rajagopuram
14	Visalakshi Amman sannadhi	46	West Rajagopuram
15	Natarajar  & Ambalavanar saandhi	47	North Rajagopuram
15a	Ambalavanar  Sannadhi	48	South Rajagopuram
16	Jyothi Lingam	49	Urchavar Kalyana mandapam
17	Krithika Chandran & Rohini	50	Devotees resting place
18	Nandhi mandapam with Palipedam & Dwajasthambam
19	Sudhai Rishabam
20	Navagrahas
21	Maha Ganapathy
22	Subramaniyar  Sannadhi
23	Parvathavardhini Amman Sannadhi
24	Santhana & Sowbakyavaganapathy
25	Sabtha mathakkal
26	Pallikonda Perumal
27	Palliyarai
27a	Ashta Lakshmi
28	Sukkiravara mandapam
29	Navasakthi Mandapam
30	Siva Theertham

 East side Sethupathy mandapam arch

 Sri Parvathavardhini Amman Temple entrance 

 Sri Ujjaini Maha Kali Amman Temple opposite to the Main temple 

 Agni Theertham 

 Agni Theertham entrance arches

 A Pillayar temple on the north-east corner - East and North car junction. 

 Temple view from Trichy Swamikal Nilayam

 Southside Rajagopuram under Construction

 Urchavar Kalyanamandapam near the south side of Rajagopuram 

 The Chokkatan Mandapam - 3rd corridor south side entrance view

 Northside Rajagopuram is under construction

 West side 5 tier Rajagopuram 

 Kanchi mutt opposite to Agni theertham

 Agni Theertham entrance arch

 Agasthiyar Temple after Agni Theertham

 Boat ride jetty

 Temple entrance evening cloudy view 

 Ambal sannadhi entrance mandapam  

 3rd corridor  south side

 3rd corridor east side view 

 Corridor from Ambal temple to outside 

 Panoramic view of the Sea

After darshan hire an auto for the local holy places Ramar Patham, Sakchi Anjaneyar, Kothandaramar Temple, Ramar Theertham, Seetharamar Temple, Lakshman Theertham, Naganathar sannadhi, and Panchamuga Anjaneyar.  

KOTHANDARAMAR TEMPLE.

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple is on the seashore. It is believed that Hanuman constructed the bridge from here and the distance is 25 KM.

Sri Ramar Conducted the Pattabhishekam for Vibeshanan at this place.

In sanctum Ramar, Seetha, and Lakshman. Garudalwar and Anjaneyar are on the right side. Garudalwar Sannadhi is on the opposite to moolavar sannadhi. Ramanujar Sannadhi is in the mandapam.

The temple is at an elevated level with 12 steps.  

 It was believed that the hanuman built the bridge to Srilanka from here - the distance is 25 KM

 Sri Kothanda Ramar Temple 

LAKSHMANA THEERTHAM

Lamanan created this Theertham and worshiped Lord Shiva to resolve his sin. The mandapam pillars are very similar to Sri Ramanathaswamy temple corridor pillars.

There is a Naganathar sannadhi in front of the temple.

 Sri Lakshmanar theertham Shiva Temple mandapam 

 Lakshmana Theertham with Neerazhi mandapam

 NAGA NATHAR SANNADHI

PANCHAMUGA ANJANEYAR TEMPLE.

Some of the important features of this temple are.

The temple was maintained by BABA disciples. Panchamuga Anjaneyar’s big-size relief is installed which is open to the sky.

Sannadhi for Balalaya Anjaneyar, Stones used for the Ramar bridge, Ramar Seetha Lakshmanan, and Hanuman.

It was believed that the 700-year-old temple at Dhanushkodi, which was destroyed during the 1964 tsunami, and the Murtis were brought here.  

 PANCHAMUGA ANJANEYAR 

SRI RAMAR PATHAM 

After Ravana was killed by Sri Ramar, he went to Thirumaraikadu to resolve his sin through this place. His footprints are preserved in this place.  

 An abondened Anjaneyar relief panel 

 Island view from Ramar Patham 

 Island view from Ramar Patham 

 Sri Ramar Patha first level mandapam 

 SRI RAMAR THEERTHAM

 Sri Ramar Theertham- with neerazhi mandapam 

 SRI SAKSHI ANJANEYAR

SRI SEETHA RAMAR TEMPLE.

Some of the important features of this temple are...

In the sanctum Seetha, Ramar, and Lakshmana. Garudalwar is at the front.

Ramar’s Jathagam is painted on the front sanctum wall. A lot of nagars are under the Vilva tree.

There is an old dilapidated mandapam on the back side of the sanctum.

 Entrance arch - Sri Setha Ramar Temple 

 Mandapam in ruins

 Moolavar Vimanam 

We couldn’t make a visit to Dhaunskodi, since both were exhausted. After some rest, I alone went around the temple and Agni Theertham to have a look at the shore. I had the opportunity to visit the Agasthiyar temple also. Vacated the stay and reached the railway station around 19.15 Hrs to catch the Sethu Express scheduled to leave at 20.00 Hrs. Safely landed on 15.oo Hrs at Chennai. Thanks to Lord Shiva for the peaceful darshan.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---