Ramanathaswamy — Rameshwaram

vahana: "Nandi (sacred bull)" sacred_colours:

• saffron
• white
• gold sacred_flowers:
• lotus
• tulasi
• jasmine sacred_flowers:
• lotus
• tulasi
• champaka sacred_trees:
• peepal
• bilva (bael)
• tulasi sacred_animals:
• Nandi (sacred bull)
• peacock
• elephant sacred_colours:
• saffron
• white
• gold vahana: "Nandi (sacred bull)" primary_scriptures:
  • title: "Skanda Purana — temple kshetra mahatmya" type: "purana" festival_dates:
• "Maha Shivaratri (Feb–Mar)"
• "Diwali (Oct–Nov)"

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram — The Bridge to Lanka

The Longest Corridors in India

One of the Char Dham and 12 Jyotirlingas, linked to Rama's bridge (Ram Setu) to Lanka. The temple's corridors are the longest in any Hindu temple — 1,220 metres with 4,000 pillars. According to the Ramayana, Rama worshipped Shiva here to absolve himself of the sin of killing Ravana.

The 22 Sacred Wells

The temple has 22 sacred wells (theerthams) inside its precincts, each with distinct-tasting water. Pilgrims bathe in all 22 as part of the ritual, believing that each well has healing properties for different ailments.

Setupati Patronage

The famous corridors were built by the Setupati kings of Ramanathapuram in the 17th century. The third corridor alone is 197 metres long and 133 metres broad, making it the largest temple corridor in the world.