Jyotirlinga
Ramanathaswamy (Rameswaram) Jyotirlinga
Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu
Where Lord Rama himself installed a Shiva linga — uniting Char Dham and the twelve Jyotirlingas
At a glance
- Location
- Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu
- Presiding deity
- Lord Shiva (as Ramanatha)
- Temple type
- Jyotirlinga
- Tradition
- Shaiva
- Nearest railway station
- Rameswaram railway station (~2 km from the temple)
- Nearest airport
- Madurai International Airport (~170 km)
- Best time to visit
- October to April, since coastal humidity is higher in peak summer.
History
Rameswaram temple stands on an island at India's southern tip, connected to the mainland by the Pamban Bridge. According to the Ramayana, before invading Lanka, Lord Rama worshipped Shiva here to atone for the sin of killing Ravana, a Brahmin. Sita herself fashioned a linga from sand — called the Ramalingam — while Hanuman brought another from Kailash, called the Vishwalingam; both are worshipped jointly to this day. The present grand temple was largely built between the 12th and 17th centuries by Pandya, Chola, and Setupati rulers, and is famous for having the longest temple corridor in the world.
Spiritual significance
Rameswaram is unique in India for holding a dual distinction — it is both one of the four Char Dham (the southern one) and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The temple complex has 22 sacred wells (theerthams), where ritual bathing is traditionally performed.
Plan your visit
Darshan timings
5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM (two shifts).
Timings change on festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple's official source before you travel.
Rameswaram railway station is connected to Chennai, Madurai, and other major cities, with trains crossing the iconic Pamban rail bridge to reach the island. Madurai is also about a 4-5 hour drive away by road.
Continue your Shiva bhakti
Devotional texts for this deity, already on the site.