14 The Ramanatha Swamy Temple (Rameshwaram)

Address	Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu
City	Ramanathapuram
State	Tamilnadu
Location	South India
Altitude	9.28° N 79.3° E.[1]
Year of Construction	An area of 61.8 square kilometers and happens to be in the shape of a conch. over a period of time starting from the 12th century to 17th century
Constructed By	Nayaka Period (16th - 17th century) The 1st ever masonry structure was built by Parakrama Bahu of Sri Lanka. The Setupathy rulers of Ramanathapuram completed the rest of the temple. Some of the temple vimaanams resemble the Vimaanams of the Pallava period.
Type of Construction	DRAVIDIAN TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE There is a huge Nandi measuring 12 feet in length and 9 feet in height., with the idols of Viswanatha Naicker and Krishnama Naicker. The lingams are housed in the inner section of the Ramalingeshwara. High walls enclose the temple, forming a rectangle with huge pyramidal gopura entrances on each side. The gateways lead to the spacious closed ambulatory, flanked to either side by continuous platforms with massive pillers set on their edges. These corridors are the most famous attribute of the temple, their extreme - 205 metres, with 1212 pillars on the north and south sides - giving a remarkable impression of receding perspective. Delicate scrollwork and brackets of pendant lotuses supported by yalis, mythical lion-like beasts, adorn the pillars. There are shrines for Ganapathi and Subramanya. To the right of the Lords shrine is the shrine for Parvathi. To its North is the Kasi Viswanathars shrine.
Type of Building	Temple
Managed By	Tamilnadu Government
Dedicated To
Main shrine	Ramanathar, Parvatavartini (Shiva, Parvati) (One Of The 12 Jyotirlingas Of India )
Sub shrine	Anjaneya, Ganapathi and Subramanya. To the right of the Lords shrine is the shrine for Parvathi. To its North is the Kasi Viswanathars shrine.
Religion	Hinduism
Famous For	This temple is famous for its 1200 gigantic granite columns. The 54 metre tall gopuram (gate-tower), 1220 metres of magnificent corridors and the flamboyant columns embellish and render fame to the temple. The water in each of the 22 sacred wells in the temple tastes different. In order to attain Moksha it is believed that the visit to Rameshwaram is mandatory. The imprint of Lord Rama's feet placed on a Chakra (wheel) is found in this shrine which is at the highest point on the island at 2 km from Rameswaram A Pilgrimage To Kashi Is Not Considered Complete Without A Pilgrimage To Rameshwaram
Histroy oftemple	The story of Ramayana Lord Rama performed thanksgiving rituals to Lord Rama after the battle at Sri Lanka and his triumph over the demon king Ravana. Owing to this Rameshwaram attracts Vaishnavites (worshippers of Lord Vishnu) and Saivites (worshippers of Lord Shiva) alike. Sri Lanka is at a distance of 24 kilometers from Rameshwaram
Theertham	Agnitheertham 100 metres away from the temple is Agnitheertham, where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, to absolve himself from the killing Ravana.
Festival	Thai Amavasai January. Masi Siva Rathri February-March. Thirukalyanam July-August.bg Mahalaya Amavasi September.
Best Time	All seasons A spiritual "Mani Darshan" happens in early morning everyday. This "Mani" is made of "sphatik"[a precious stone] and in form of "Holy shivling". according to ved this is "Mani" of "sheshnag".
Opening Schedule	5.30 a. m to 1. p.m., 3.p.m. to 8.p.m.
Visit Timings	5.00a. m to 1. p.m., 3.p.m. to 9.p.m.
Pooja Schedule	pujas are offered six times daily. 5.00 am Palliyarai (Sayanagruha) Deeparadhana 5.10 am Saptika linga Deeparadhana 5.45 am Thiruvananthal Deeparadhana 7.00 am Vila Puja 10.00 am Kaalasanthi Puja 12.00 noon Uchikala Puja 6.00 pm Saayaraksha Puja 8.30 pm Ardhajaama Puja 8.45 pm Palliyarai Puja
Special poooja	Parihara Sthala All sins get absolved. Devotees take holy dips at Sethu Theertha, Agni Theertha and other sacred waters, offer pujas to get progeny, perform Shraadha for their ancestors and do Naga Prathishta (installing serpent deity). contact Temple Information Office on the east side of the temple
Entry Formalities	Free
Accomodation	Many hotels and restaurant are there in Rameswaram near bus stand. ujarati Dharamshala, about a five-minute walk from the temple, was recommended to me as a cheap, very basic place. Temple Devasthana, North Car St, has small, clean rooms for Rs 50/75. There are good-sized, clean Retiring Rooms (21226) at the railway station for Rs 100/125. Dorm beds are Rs 20. The rooms can be noisy because they are right next to the station. Santhana Lodge (21229), South Car St, has basic Indian style rooms with bath for Rs 50/60. Alankar Tourist Home, West Car St, has basic rooms with bath for Rs 110. The Alankar is a little better than the rest of the cheap places. Santhya Lodge (21329), W Car St, has rooms with bath for Rs 125/150 and Rs 175/250 with A/C. The rooms in the new building are better. Off-season half price. Swami Ramanatha Tourist Home (21217) has clean basic rooms with bath for Rs 200. Devasthanam Lodge (21241) has rooms for Rs 150/200.
Accesibility	The nearest airport is Madurai, 173 kms away. Rameswaram has rail connections with all major cities like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy and Tanjavur. Connected with all the important towns of Tamil Nadu, buses and taxis ply regularly. The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation also operates buses to Rameswaram.