Often called the Varanasi of the south, Rameswaram, one of the holiest cities in India, has been a time honored pilgrimage centre. Rameswaram is also spelled as Ramesvaram, Rameshwaram. Rameswaram is an urban area on Pamban Island, in the southeast Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Pamban Island also known as Rameswaram Island. It is an island-town located in the Gulf of Mannar, connected to the mainland at Mandapam by the famous Pamban Bridge, and is about 40 km from Mannar Island, Sri Lanka.. Rameswaram is associated closely with the Ramayana and various legends of Rama’s victorious return from Lanka, after vanquishing the evil king Ravana. It is considered a holy site, as it was here that Rama performed a pooja to Lord Shiva, on his return from Lanka after killing King Ravana.
The Ramanathaswamy temple of Rameswaram is interesting. It says that Hanuman was sent by Lord Rama to take a lingam for him to worship at a propitious moment. Hanuman’s arrival was delayed and much to his disappointment Rama worshipped the lingam prepared by Sita. In order to console Hanuman, Rama installed the lingam that he brought and decreed that Hanuman’s lingam should take precedence.
The Temple interesting from the architectural viewpoint also, particularly for its famous long and ornate corridors, the towers and its thirty six teerthams (holly springs).The temple complex is spread over an area of 15 acres and the lofty gopurams, massive walls and the colossal Nandi at once overawes the visitor. The 1220m long pillared corridor is the longest in the country, and possibly the world, with over 4000 pillars. The carved granite pillars are massive in size and are mounted on a raised platform. Building the corridor must have been quite a feat not just because of the elaborate design, style and rich carving, but also for the fact that the rock out of which the pillars have been carved are not indigenous to the island, but brought from across the sea.
The two gopurams on the east and west are impressive in size and finish, the larger being the eastern one, towering to a height of 126 feet and having nine levels. Construction of the present temple began in the 12th century and various rulers have made additions over the centuries. The 36 theerthams of Rameswaram are a special attraction. Out of these, 22 are in the temple and these springs are considered to possess medical properties. Bathing in these is an act of religious significance to the devotees.
The less famous Sethu Madhava and Lakshmi shrines are also worth visiting for their worship practices. So is the Kothandaramaswamy Temple of Dhanushkodi, a picturesque village at the extreme tip of the island. Another attraction here is the Gandamadana Parvatham, a hillock on which there is a small shrine having imprints believed to be of Lord Rama’s feet.
No wonder, Rameswaram is one of the four holiest shrines in India. The 1220rn long pillared corridor is the longest in the country, and possibly the world, with over 4000 pillars.