The Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple stands at the centre of Rameswaram, on Pamban Island in the Gulf of Mannar. It is dedicated to Shiva as Ramanathaswamy, with his consort Parvatavardhini. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva, the southernmost of them, and one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites of India, with Badrinath, Puri and Dwarka. For many Hindu families, a pilgrimage here is a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department of Tamil Nadu.
On this page
The legend
According to tradition, Rama worshipped Shiva here on his return from Lanka. Hanuman was sent to Mount Kailash to bring a lingam, and when he was delayed, a lingam was made from sand (by Sita in the popular telling, by Rama in others). That lingam, the Ramalingam, is worshipped in the main sanctum. The Vishwalingam brought by Hanuman was installed beside it, and by custom it receives worship first. The Ramayana links run through the whole island, from the temple to the tip at Dhanushkodi.
Architecture and the great corridors
The temple grew over many centuries. Much of the present structure dates from the 17th and 18th centuries under the Sethupathi rulers of Ramanathapuram. The famous third (outer) corridor was completed under Muthuramalinga Sethupathi in the late 18th century. It is often described as the longest temple corridor in India: the corridors together run to about 3,850 feet, and the outer corridor alone has around 1,212 pillars. Standing at one end and looking down the long, painted colonnade is one of the great sights of South Indian architecture.
The main rajagopuram rises about 53 metres.
The 22 theerthams
Inside the temple are 22 theerthams, wells and tanks believed to hold sacred water. Pilgrims first bathe in the sea at Agni Theertham, just east of the temple, and then move from well to well while attendants pour a bucket of water over each person. It is a wet, lively and very moving ritual. Tickets for the theertham bath are sold at the temple. At the time of writing, the theertham bath runs from about 5:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 3 PM to 7 PM.
Bring a change of clothes, as you will be soaked, and a plastic bag for the wet ones.
Timings
According to the temple’s official website, at the time of writing the temple opens at about 4 AM. The Spatika Lingam (crystal lingam) darshan is held from about 5 AM to 6 AM, and the main darshan runs from about 6 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 8 PM. Timings change on festival and eclipse days, so check before you go. General darshan is free; special darshan tickets shorten the queue.
Best time to visit
October to March is the most comfortable season on the island. The Spatika Lingam darshan at dawn is a special experience but draws queues, so come early. The festivals of Maha Shivaratri and the Aadi Amavasai new moon bring very large crowds.
Practical tips
- Dress code: traditional, modest dress. Men in dhoti or trousers, women in saree, salwar or long skirt.
- Phones: from September 2026 Tamil Nadu’s HR&CE department has banned mobile phones inside major temples, with paid deposit counters at the gates. Check the current rule and carry as little as possible.
- Non-Hindu visitors: may not be admitted to the inner sanctum; the corridors are the main sight for most visitors.
- Footwear: leave it at the counters outside the gopuram.
Visiting from Pondicherry
Rameswaram is about 429 km from Pondicherry, eight to nine hours by road, crossing to the island on the Pamban road bridge. Most travellers break the journey in Madurai or combine it with the Meenakshi Temple. Our Madurai, Rameswaram and Kanyakumari tour and Grand Tamil Nadu temple tour include Rameswaram by car with driver.
Official information: Temple website (Tamil Nadu HR&CE)
Frequently asked questions
What are the Rameswaram temple timings?
At the time of writing, the temple opens around 4 AM, Spatika Lingam darshan is about 5–6 AM, and main darshan runs about 6 AM–1 PM and 3 PM–8 PM. Check before you go.
How many theerthams are in Rameswaram temple?
There are 22 theerthams (holy wells and tanks) inside the temple. Pilgrims usually bathe at Agni Theertham in the sea first.
Is Ramanathaswamy Temple a Jyotirlinga?
Yes. It is the southernmost of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva and one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
How long is the corridor of Rameswaram temple?
The corridors together run to about 3,850 feet, and the outer corridor has around 1,212 pillars. It is often called the longest temple corridor in India.
