The Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is in the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy temple on Rameswaram island in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu; it is the seventh in the Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotra and also the southern dham of India’s Char Dham. According to the Shiva Purana, Rama worshipped Shiva here before crossing to Lanka, and in the temple’s tradition the linga was made of sand by Sita.
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- Tradition
- Shaiva
- Place
- Rameswaram island, Ramanathapuram district
- State
- Tamil Nadu
- Country
- India
- Official website
- Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple (Tamil Nadu HR&CE) (rameswaramramanathar.hrce.tn.gov.in)
- Map
- OpenStreetMap (9.2881, 79.3173)
Darshan and aarti timings
| Temple open | 4:00 AM–1:00 PM, 3:00–8:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Spatika (crystal) linga darshan | 5:00–6:00 AM |
| Moolasthana darshan | 6:00 AM–1:00 PM, 3:15–8:00 PM |
| Uchikkala puja | 12:00–12:15 PM |
| Sayaraksha puja (evening) | 6:00–6:15 PM |
| Ardhajama puja | 8:30–8:45 PM |
| Bath in the 22 tirthams | 5:30 AM–12:30 PM, 3:00–7:00 PM |
According to the department the temple opens at 4 AM, devotees are let in by 5 AM, and it closes by 9 PM every day. The morning Thiruvanandal (6:00), Vila (7:00) and Kalasandhi (10:00) pujas are also listed there.
Source: rameswaramramanathar.hrce.tn.gov.inChecked: Times can change; check the official source before you go.
The story of Rameshvara: two tellings
According to the Shiva Purana (Kotirudra Samhita, chapter 31), on the shore of the southern ocean, before crossing to Lanka, Rama remembered that he had not yet worshipped Shiva. He made an earthen linga, worshipped it with full rites and prayed for victory over Ravana. Shiva granted it and, at Rama’s request, stayed there as Rameshvara; the Purana praises bathing this linga with Ganga water.
The temple’s own tradition (the page of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department) sets the story after the war: on sage Agastya’s advice Rama came here with Sita and Lakshmana to atone for the sin of slaying Ravana. He sent Hanuman to Kailasa for a linga; Hanuman was late, so Sita made a linga of sand and the worship was done. The Vishwalingam Hanuman brought was installed beside it, and by tradition it receives worship first.
About the temple
The temple is under the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE). According to the department’s Tamil history page, the Shaiva saints Appar and Sambandar sang its praise; the sanctum was built in the 12th century by King Parakramabahu of Sri Lanka; and the nine-tiered, 126-foot eastern Rajagopuram was completed between 1897 and 1904. Bathing in the temple’s 22 tirthams (wells) is part of the pilgrimage.
How to reach Rameshwaram
- Rail: Rameswaram railway station is about 1 km from the temple; the bus stand about 2 km (Tamil Nadu Tourism).
- Airport: Madurai International Airport, about 175–180 km (Ramanathapuram district and HR&CE).
Main festivals
Where the sources differ
- When the story happens: in the Shiva Purana Rama worships before the war, for victory; in the temple’s tradition after the war, to atone for slaying Ravana, with Sita’s sand linga and Hanuman’s Vishwalingam. One sentence of Tamil Nadu Tourism sends Hanuman to Kashi and another to Kailasa.
- Order: the Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotra names Rameshwaram 7th (this site follows that order); the Shiva Purana's list (Kotirudra Samhita 1.21–23) runs in another order and names it 11th.
Frequently asked questions
Which linga is worshipped first at Rameshwaram?
In the temple’s tradition (Tamil Nadu HR&CE), the Vishwalingam (Vishwanatha) brought by Hanuman, as Rama ordered.
Where is Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga?
Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is in Rameswaram island, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu.
What are the darshan timings at Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga?
Temple open: 4:00 AM–1:00 PM, 3:00–8:00 PM; Spatika (crystal) linga darshan: 5:00–6:00 AM; Moolasthana darshan: 6:00 AM–1:00 PM, 3:15–8:00 PM; Uchikkala puja: 12:00–12:15 PM; Sayaraksha puja (evening): 6:00–6:15 PM; Ardhajama puja: 8:30–8:45 PM; Bath in the 22 tirthams: 5:30 AM–12:30 PM, 3:00–7:00 PM. Source: rameswaramramanathar.hrce.tn.gov.in, checked 5 October 2026; check the official source before you go.
Which lists of tirthas include Rameshwaram?
The 12 Jyotirlingas (number 7 of 12 in the list), The Char Dham (number 4 of 4 in the list).
How to reach Rameshwaram?
Rail: Rameswaram railway station is about 1 km from the temple; the bus stand about 2 km (Tamil Nadu Tourism). Airport: Madurai International Airport, about 175–180 km (Ramanathapuram district and HR&CE).
Sources
- Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE): Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, rameswaramramanathar.hrce.tn.gov.in (home, puja times, history, nearby places)
- Tamil Nadu Tourism: Rameswaram temple, tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in/destinations/rameswaram-temple; Ramanathapuram district, ramanathapuram.nic.in; Rameswaram Municipality: festivals, tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/rameswaram/events-and-festivals
- Shiva Purana, Kotirudra Samhita, chapter 31 (J. L. Shastri's English translation, wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/shiva-purana-english/d/doc226532.html; numbered as in the Sanskrit text on sa.wikisource; the Gita Press abridged edition numbers chapters differently)
- Shiva Purana, Kotirudra Samhita 1.21–23 (the list of the twelve), Sanskrit text: sa.wikisource.org (शिवपुराणम्, संहिता ४, अध्यायः १)
- Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotra ("सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं च …"), text: sanskritdocuments.org/doc_shiva/jyotirling.html
- Wikidata Q14565670 (coordinates, CC0)
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