Ramanathaswamy Temple

After Lord Rama's epic battle against the demon king Ravana in Lanka, he was victorious but deeply troubled. Despite Ravana's evil, he was also a great Brahmin scholar and a devoted worshipper of Shiva. By killing a Brahmin, even an evil one, Rama had committed Brahmahatya — one of the five gravest sins in Hindu dharma.

To absolve himself, Rama decided to worship Lord Shiva. He sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring a Shiva Lingam, but Hanuman was delayed. As the auspicious hour for worship was passing, Goddess Sita quickly fashioned a small lingam from the sand of the beach — this became the primary deity, the Ramalingam. When Hanuman finally arrived with the stone lingam from Kailash, he was heartbroken that it wasn't used.

To console his greatest devotee, Rama decreed that Hanuman's lingam — called Vishwalingam — would be worshipped first during every puja, before the Ramalingam. This tradition continues to this day, making Rameswaram the only place where both Rama and Shiva are worshipped together with equal reverence.

The temple's corridors are the longest of any Hindu temple in India — stretching 1,212 meters with 1,212 intricately carved granite pillars. There are 22 sacred wells (Theerthams) within the temple complex, each with water said to have unique healing properties. Pilgrims ritually bathe in all 22 before entering the main sanctum.

Expanded extensively from the 12th century onwards by the Pandya and Nayak dynasties. One of the Char Dhams. The Pamban Bridge connects the island to the mainland.

Maha Shivaratri, Vasanthotsavam, and the Arudra Darisanam festival.

Boasts the longest corridor of any Hindu temple (1,212m) with 1,212 intricately carved granite pillars. Contains 22 sacred wells with unique healing waters.