RAMANATHAWSAMY TEMPLE

Rameswaram is considered to be significant for the Hindus and pilgrimage to Benares is incomplete without a pilgrimage to Rameswaram.

Ramanathaswamy temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the island of Rameswaram.

When it comes to the structure of the temple, like all ancient temples in South India especially in Tamilnadu, there is a high compound wall called as “mathil” on all four sides of the temple premises measuring about 865 feet from east to west and one furlong of 657 feet from north to south with huge towers (gopurams) at the east and west and finished gate towers on the north and south.

The temple has striking long corridors in its interior, running between huge columnades on platforms above five feet high.

The outer set of corridors is reputed to be the longest in the world being about 400 feet in each in the east and west and about 640 feet in north and south and inner corridors are about 224 feet in east and west and about 352 feet each in north and south.

Their width varies from 15.5 feet to 17 feet in the east and west about 172 feet on the north and south with width varying 14.5 feet to 17 feet. The total length of those corridors is thus 3850 feet. There are about 1200 pillars in the outer corridor and their height is about 30 feet from the floor to the center of the roof.

There are six worship services carried out each day, the first being by 05.00 A.M. Special worship services are carried out every Friday.

When it comes to festivals, Rama’s worship is commemorated in the month of Aani – (June 15 to July 15) two annual Bhrammotsvams are celebrated in Aadi and in Maasi.