Ramanathaswamy Temple
Why in News?
Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, was used as the visual backdrop during the welcome ceremony of world leaders at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on 12 September 2026.
Details & Religious Significance
- Presiding Deity: The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Ramanathaswamy).
- Char Dham Site: It is highly sacred as one of the four holistic Char Dham pilgrimage destinations, alongside Badrinath, Puri, and Dwarka. Notably, it is the only Shiva temple among the four.
- Jyotirlinga: It holds immense spiritual importance as one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva, uniquely marking the southernmost Jyotirlinga in India.
- Paadal Petra Sthalam: It is recognized as one of the 276 holy sites glorified in the divine songs of the Nayanars (Shaivite poet-saints).
Historical & Mythological Origins
- The Ramayana Connection: According to Hindu puranas, Lord Rama (along with Sita and Lakshmana) prayed to Shiva here to perform penance for the sin of Brahmahatya (killing Ravana, who was a Brahmin).
- The Two Lingams:
- Ramalingam: Built out of sand by Goddess Sita when Hanuman faced delays returning with a deity from the Himalayas. This stands as the primary deity.
- Vishwalingam: The lingam brought by Hanuman from Mount Kailash. Following Rama's historic instructions, the Vishwalingam is traditionally worshipped first.
- Evolution of Construction: Originally a brick and thatch structure, it transitioned into stone in the 12th century under the Chola dynasty. Major structural expansions were carried out over centuries by the Pandyas, the Vijayanagara rulers, and the Sethupati kings of Ramnad.
Masterful Architecture
- Dravidian Style: The temple stands as a pinnacle of traditional Dravidian architecture, surrounded by high compound stone walls (madil) spanning over 15 acres.
- World's Longest Corridor: The temple features the longest pillared corridor in the world. The iconic outer corridor extends over 1,200 meters and is supported by 1,212 masterfully carved granite pillars.
- Massive Gopurams: The complex boasts magnificent, multi-tiered gateway towers. The eastern Rajagopuram is the highest, scaling 126 feet tall.
- Sacred Hydrology: The complex houses 22 sacred wells (theerthams) within its walls. Pilgrims traditionally take a holy dip in these waters, which are believed to possess therapeutic and spiritually purifying properties.
