Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Hindu temple in Rameswaram, India
Kothandaramaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple on the Dhanushkodi coast in Tamil Nadu, at the point where the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. The structure follows the Dravidian style, with carved stone pillars and decorated inner walls.
The temple was built in the 17th century and became the only structure to survive the cyclone of 1964, which wiped out the town of Dhanushkodi entirely. Its survival among the ruins made it a lasting landmark on this remote coast.
The walls inside carry paintings showing Vibhishana bowing before Rama and being crowned king of Lanka. Pilgrims come here specifically to see these scenes, which hold deep meaning in the local tradition of devotion to Rama.
The temple sits about 11 miles (18 km) from Rameswaram and can be reached by bus or taxi, though a jeep or four-wheel drive is often recommended for the last stretch of unpaved coastal road. Because it stands right on the shore, wind can be strong, so light layers are a good idea.
The name of this temple comes from the Tamil word Kothandam, meaning the bow that Rama holds in the depictions found here. This detail, which many visitors overlook, directly explains the name of the deity worshipped at this site.
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