Ramanathaswamy Temple, Hindu temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India
Ramanathaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, covering an area of approximately 15 acres and known for its long covered corridors. The passageways together reach a length of around 1220 meters, forming the most extended temple corridors in the country.
Construction of the temple started in the 12th century under rulers of the Pandya Dynasty. Expansions took place between 1216 and 1238 under Jeyaveera and Parakrama Pandya, who added further structures.
The temple takes its name from Rama, a deity in the Hindu epic Ramayana, and serves as a site where pilgrims perform ritual bathing before approaching the inner sanctum. Worshippers move through the long corridors and complete cleansing ceremonies at several water sources, which are understood as preparation for entering the main shrine.
Visitors should wear traditional clothing that covers shoulders and legs and walk barefoot through the complex. The bathing ceremonies at the wells can take time, so arriving early in the day is advisable.
Each of the 22 wells contains water with a different taste and character, which pilgrims can notice by sampling. The ritual involves drawing water from one well and pouring it into the next, creating a continuous connection between the sources.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
