Rameshwaram Sightseeing - Ramanathaswamy Temple

This is one of the most important as well as frequently visited temples in South India. It is believed to have been built in the 17^th century. The chief deity in this place of worship is Lord Shiva. It is also greatly revered because it is believed that Lord Rama built this temple himself. According to the legends, after killing Ravana, Lord Rama returned to India and offered worship to Lord Shiva at Rameshwaram to expiate the sin of killing the demon king. Lord Rama directed Hanuman to bring the lingam from Kailasa within a certain time, but Hanuman was delayed and Sita had to prepare one of sand, before the auspicious hour. It is said that this is the same Lingam of Sri Ramanatha in the temple. The 'lingam' is one of the 12 Jyothirlingas in India.

In the main sanctum at the temple is where the Lingam is placed and worshipped. It is the same one, which Lord Rama had sanctified. The Vimana is three storeys tall and contains images of Hanuman, Agastya Linga and the Gandhamadhana Linga. The Linga of Vishvanatha, which is said to be brought by Hanuman, is enshrined in another sanctum to the north. Another shrine houses the image of Visalakshi, the Consort of Visvanatha while Parvathavardhani, the consort of Ramanatha is enshrined in a sanctum to his right.

An additional speciality of this place is that the temple comprises of twenty-two wells where the taste of the water of each well is different from the other.

You can reach Rameshwaram by rail, road or air. The nearest airport however is Madurai. Rameshwaram is at a distance of 167 km from the airport.