Ramanathaswamy Temple
Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Significance
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas and one of the 4 Char Dhams. Lord Rama worshipped Shiva here before crossing to Lanka to rescue Sita. The temple has the longest corridor of any Hindu temple in India (1,220 meters). It has 22 sacred wells (theerthams) inside the temple — pilgrims bathe in all 22 for purification.
Legend & Story
Lord Rama installed the Shivalinga here to atone for the sin of killing Ravana (a Brahmin). He sent Hanuman to bring a lingam from Kailash, but when Hanuman was delayed, Sita made a small lingam from sand. When Hanuman returned, he tried to uproot the sand lingam — but it would not move. Both lingams are worshipped to this day.
Architecture
Darshan Timings
5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM
How to Reach
Air: Madurai Airport (IXM), 163 km. Then bus/taxi to Rameswaram.
Rail: Rameswaram Railway Station — connected by the Pamban Bridge (India's first sea bridge).
Road: Chennai 600 km, Madurai 163 km. Regular buses available.