Ramanathaswamy Temple
The Island Shrine of Corridors and Sacred Wells
Overview
Ramanathaswamy Temple stands on Rameswaram island in the Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to Shiva. It is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas and a Char Dham pilgrimage site, linked in the Ramayana to Rama's worship of Shiva before crossing to Lanka. The temple is celebrated for having among the longest pillared corridors of any temple in the world, around 1,200 carved granite columns, and for its 22 sacred wells, or theerthams, in which pilgrims bathe before darshan. Largely expanded from the 12th century under the Sethupathi and Nayak rulers, it is an intensely active pilgrim temple. MyTripMyTravel arranges an escorted, dress-code-ready visit.
Rameswaram is one of the holiest destinations in India, and Ramanathaswamy is its heart, a temple that is both a Jyotirlinga of Shiva and a Char Dham site, drawing a constant tide of pilgrims to the far south-eastern tip of the country.
Two things set it apart. The first is architectural: its corridors, lined with around 1,200 intricately carved granite pillars, are among the longest of any temple in the world. The second is ritual: the 22 theerthams, sacred wells within the temple, where pilgrims are doused in sequence before entering for darshan.
This is a working, often crowded pilgrimage. MyTripMyTravel runs it with an expert escort who arranges the 22-well bathing sequence, manages the dress code and temple attendants, and reads the corridors and Ramayana associations that give the site its meaning.
At a glance
Ramanathaswamy Temple in brief
What to see
Highlights
The great corridors
Among the longest pillared temple corridors in the world, lined with around 1,200 carved granite columns.
The 22 theerthams
Twenty-two sacred wells within the temple where pilgrims take ritual baths in sequence before darshan.
Jyotirlinga sanctum
The shrine housing one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Shiva.
Ramayana connection
The site where, by tradition, Rama worshipped Shiva before crossing to Lanka.
Sethupathi architecture
The soaring gopurams and pillared halls added by the Sethupathi rulers of Ramanathapuram.
Visitor information
Our tips
For the 22-well ritual bath, bring a change of clothes; our escort arranges the sequence with the temple attendants.
Dress modestly per temple custom; men are often required to be bare-chested for the theertham bath.
Go early, this is an intensely busy pilgrim temple and the granite floors heat up by midday.
An expert guide reads the corridors and the Ramayana associations that give the site its meaning.
Good to know
Ramanathaswamy Temple, your questions
Why is Ramanathaswamy Temple important?
It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and a Char Dham pilgrimage site, and by tradition the place where Rama worshipped Shiva, making it one of India's holiest temples.
What are the 22 wells?
The theerthams, sacred wells within the temple where pilgrims take ritual baths in sequence before darshan; a separate ticket covers the bathing.
Is it true it has the longest corridor?
It has among the longest pillared corridors of any temple in the world, running past roughly 1,200 intricately carved granite columns.
How crowded is it?
Very, it is a major active pilgrimage temple, so early mornings are best and a dress code applies.
Visit with us
See Ramanathaswamy Temple, properly.
A private, chauffeured visit with a licensed expert guide, timed for the best light and the smallest crowds. We fold Ramanathaswamy Temple into a wider Rameshwaram and South India itinerary, built entirely around you.
- Skip the queue where possible, at the right hour
- Licensed local guide who brings the story to life
- Private car and chauffeur, door to door
Plan your trip
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