Rameswaram is a small island in the Gulf of Mannar, is a major holy place located in Tamil Nadu, India. It is a vital pilgrimage Centre for both Shaivites and Vaishnavaites and is known as the Varanasi of the South. The temple at Rameshvaram is one of the twelve sacred Jyothirlingas. On the other hand not like the other eleven Jyotirlinga, Rameshvaram has two sacred Lingas instead of just one.
                   A myth from one of India’s enormous epic, the Ramayana, explains this unique condition. Ravana had abducted Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. Following a great battle on the island of Lanka in which Rama eradicated Ravana, Sita and Rama returned to India. At the place where they landed, Rama determined to place a Shiva Lingam to forgive him from the sin of destroying Ravana who, besides being a demon, was also a Brahmin. Lord Rama sent Hanuman, to Kailas to get a lingam from Lord Shiva.
                   Hanuman’s journey took some period. Longer than normal however, and as the fortunate time of worship neared, Sita quickly formed a lingam out of sand. When Hanuman finally arrived with a stone lingam from Kailas he was saddened to come across another lingam already installed. To please Hanuman, Rama installed the stone lingam beside the sand one and told that all devotion should henceforth be given first to the Visvalingam brought by Hanuman, and only then to the Ramalinga made by Sita.

PLACES TO SEE

Ramanathswamy Temple
The magnificent temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas located in India. Ramanathswamy Temple has twenty two wells is the main attraction of this temple, the wells are also recognized with their different properties. All of these wells have water of different taste, temperature, salinity and have healing properties.
 The temple is spread over an area of 15 acres, has high gopurams, massive walls. The image of Nandi is about 6 metres tall and 7 metres in length. There is this huge pillared corridor that is of around 1220 meters in length. Throughout the length of the hall, there are 4,000 luminously carved pillars, the arrangement of which will leave you totally stunned. The 54 meter tall Gopuram has become the symbol of spirituality in the heart of many pilgrims; such is the beauty and presence of it. This Gopuram has nine levels.  

Agnitheertham
One of the best places to visit in Rameswarm is Agnitheertham located at a distance of 100 metres from the Ramanathaswamy Temple where pilgrims take bathe to wash away their sins. Agnitheertham, holding religious significance for Hindus, is. This place is located towards the east of the main entrance of the temple. The water in Agnitheertham is considered to be sanctified.

The Kothandaramaswamy Temple
The KothandaramaswamyTemple is a well-known temple in Rameshwaram. Temple located on an island in the Bay of Bengal at the southern most point of India. Being on an island, and enclosed by the Ocean on all four sides and the amazing part is that it has survived from the most violent cyclones. The temple historical importance lies in being a part of Ramayana. The walls are decorated with the marvellous paintings that represent the story of the Ramayana.

The Five-Faced Hanuman Temple
The temple is located at 2 km from the main temple and has a statue of Hanuman with senthooram. The Five-Faced Hanuman Temple is very renowned in Rameshwaram, as this is the place, where Lord Hanuman shown with his five faces. These five faces were that of Lord Hanuman, Lord Adivaraha, Lord Narashima, Lord Hayagriva and Lord Garuda.

Adam’s Bridge
This bridge is a natural bridge that is made of rocks, small islands, sandbanks. Adam’s Bridge is also known as the Rama’s Bridge or Rama Setu. It is believed that this bridge was constructed by Lord Rama, with the assist of Hanuman and group, for rescuing his wife Sita from Ravana.

Jada Tirtham                      
Jada tirtham is another small temple within Kaveri Tirtham. Jada Tirtham lies about 3.5 km away from Rameshwaram. The temple is small in built but is a huge master piece of lattice work a. It is well-known for its prettiness and its inimitable identity.

HOW TO REACH

By Air
Madurai is the nearest airport to Rameshwaram. Madurai is well connected to many cities by air including Coimbatore, Chennai and Bangalore.

By Rail
Rameshwaram is well connected by rail

By Road
Rameshwaram is connected with all the important towns of Tamil Nadu

WEATHER
Between January and March is the best time to visit Rameshwaram