22 Theertha Snanam Ticket
OfficialBathing at all 22 sacred wells inside the temple complex — buckets of theertham water poured by temple staff at each.
90 min
Pre-requisite for darshan; absolves karmic doshas.
JyotirlingaDivya DesamVerified
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram
Lord Ramanathaswamy (Shiva)•Rameshwaram, Pamban Island, Tamil Nadu
Official Temple WebsiteTimings
Opens 4–5 AM
See full schedule below
Main Festivals
4 major
Maha Shivaratri
Dress Code
Traditional
Details below
Entry
Free
Pujas are paid
Book Puja via Darshya
Verified priests, video proof, prasad delivery to your door
Official Temple Booking
Direct booking on the temple's official site
Opens the temple's official website in a new tab
Watch Live Darshan
Real-time video stream from the sanctum
About Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram
History
Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameshwaram is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva and one of the 108 Divya Desams of Vishnu — the only shrine to hold both designations. According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama, on returning from Lanka after slaying Ravana, installed a Shiva-linga here to absolve himself of the brahma-hatya dosha. Mother Sita is said to have made the Linga herself from sea-sand (the Ramalingam in the sanctum), while Hanuman simultaneously brought a Vishwalingam from Kailash (now worshipped first by tradition). The current granite temple, with India's longest temple corridor (the 197-metre third prakaram with 1,212 carved pillars), was built between the 12th and 17th centuries by Pandya and Sethupathi kings.
Significance
Hindu tradition holds that a pilgrimage is incomplete without bathing at all 22 sacred theerthams (wells) inside the temple complex before darshan — water from each is poured over the pilgrim. Pair Kashi-Vishwanath darshan with Rameshwaram-water-offering to complete the supreme Shaiva pilgrimage.
About the Deity
The Ramalingam — a swayambhu Shiva-linga installed by Sita and consecrated by Sri Rama — sits in the central garbhagriha. The Vishwalingam brought by Hanuman is worshipped first as per Rama's wish. Both are housed in the temple.
Pujas Offered (6)
Spatika Linga Darshan
OfficialPre-dawn darshan of the rare crystal Spadigalinga (only certain pilgrims permitted).
30 min early-morning slot
Rare and most-auspicious darshan.
₹100
Book Official Abhishekam Sponsor
OfficialMilk-honey-curd abhishekam of the Ramalingam in your name.
45 min
Family blessings, removal of doshas.
₹1,500
Book Official Pitru Tarpan / Shraddha
OfficialAncestral rites at the Agni-theertham seashore in front of the temple — most-sought location for pitru-karma.
1.5 hours
Liberation and peace for departed ancestors.
₹1,100
Book Official Rudrabhishek
OfficialVedic Rudra recitation with full abhishekam of the Jyotirlinga.
1 hour
Health, courage, victory.
₹2,500
Book Official Annadanam Sponsor
OfficialSponsor a free-meal sitting at the temple Annakshetra.
1 sitting
Punya for ancestors.
₹5,000
Book Official Festivals & Events
- Maha ShivaratriFebruary / March
- BrahmotsavamFebruary — 10 days
- Rama NavamiMarch / April
- ThirukalyanamJuly
Plan Your Visit
How to Reach
Nearest Airport
Madurai International Airport (164 km)
Nearest Railway
Rameshwaram Railway Station (2 km)
By Road
Auto-rickshaw or walk from Rameshwaram Station. The famous Pamban Bridge connects the island to mainland; new Pamban Bridge opened 2024. Buses from Madurai (4 hr), Chennai (12 hr), Trichy (5 hr).
Where to Stay
- Hotel Tamilnadu (TTDC) Rameswaram
- Hotel Daiwik Rameshwaram
- Hyatt Place Rameshwaram
- Hotel Pearl Residency
- Numerous TN HR&CE-managed cottages and dharamshalas
Nearby Attractions
- Agni Theertham — sea-bath site before temple entry (100 m)
- Dhanushkodi — abandoned town at the southern tip (18 km)
- Pamban Bridge — historic and new (5 km)
- Gandhamadhana Parvatham — Hanuman's footprint (3 km)
- Five-faced Hanuman Temple (2 km)
- Adam's Bridge (Ram Setu) viewpoint at Dhanushkodi
Opening Hours
Morning
Open 5:00 AM; Palliarai Deepa Aradhana 5:00 AM; Spadigalinga Darshan 5:00 AM; Darshan 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon
Closed 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Evening
Open 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Sayaratchai Pooja 6:00 PM; Arthajama Pooja 8:30 PM
Dress Code
Strict traditional dress. Men: dhoti (no shirt for sanctum entry; shirt allowed in outer prakarams). Women: saree or salwar-kameez. No Western wear, no shorts, no jeans inside sanctum. Dhotis available on rent at entrance.
Rules & Guidelines
- Men must remove shirt inside the sanctum
- Photography prohibited inside the temple (allowed in outer corridors)
- Bathe at Agni-Theertham (sea, 100m east) before entering temple
- Mobile phones and leather items deposited at counter
- Government ID required for special poojas
- Bookings via TN HR&CE official portal — beware fraud sites
Pilgrim's Note
Pair Rameshwaram with Madurai (Meenakshi, 164 km) and Kanyakumari (300 km) for a south-Tamil Nadu spiritual circuit. Best Oct–Feb (avoid May–June heat and Sept–Nov cyclone season).
Photo Gallery
