Location : Island Of Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
Deity Worshipped: Linga Of Sri Ranganatha
Famous Tradition:
A Pilgrimage To Kashi Is Not Considered Complete Without A Pilgrimage To Rameshwaram
Significance: One Of The 12 Jyotirlingas Of India


Rameshwaram is an island situated in the gulf of manner at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. A very important pilgrim centre of the Indians. Rameshwaram is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to  rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage which is known as the Varanasi the south.

Rameshwaram is significant for the Hindus as a pilgrimage to Benaras is incomplete without a Pilgrimage to Rameshwaram. The presiding deity is the Linga Of Sri Ranganatha, which happens to be one of the twelve
Jyotirlingas of India. Rameshwaram is also popularly referred to as the 'Benaras of the south'. In order to attain  Moksha it is believed that the visit to Rameshwaram is mandatory.

Mythological History

According to the Hindu mythology i.e. 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. In fact the entire area of Rameshwaram is associated with various incidents from the Ramayana. Rameshwaram happens to one of the most visited pilgrim sites in India.

Location and Area
The religious island is spread in an area of 61.8 square kilometers and happens to be in the shape of a conch. The Ramanatha Swamy Temple occupies major area of Rameshwaram. The masterpiece of Dravidian  architecture boasts of the largest temple corridor in India. Different rulers built the Ramanatha Swamy Temple  over a period of time starting from the 12th century. The temple comprises of twenty-two wells where the taste of the water of each well is different from the other.


Pilgrimage Attaractions of Rameshwaram

Ramanathaswamy Temple
Ramnathswamy temple was built in the 17th century. Situated close to the sea on the eastern side of the island, 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.

Agnitheertham
100 metres away from the temple is Agnitheertham, where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, to absolve himself from the killing Ravana.

Gandamadana Parvatham
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.

Dhanushkodi
Dhanushkodi named after Rama's bow, is at the eastern end of the island at a distance of 8 kms from
Rameshwaram. The boulders around the sea between Srilanka and this place known as Adam's bridge, are
believed to be used by Hanuman to reach across Srilanka. Dhhanushkodi was completely destroyed by the
cyclones of 1964. Kothandaramaswamy temple is the only salvage of the cyclone. Idols of Rama, Sita,
Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vibhishana (brother of Ravana), surrendered to Rama, here.

Going there

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.