About Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
On Pamban Island, a Dravidian Shiva temple sits by the sea with an outer corridor that stretches 1,212 metres past 1,212 pillars — the longest of any temple on earth. One of the twelve Jyotirlingas. One of the four Char Dhams. The Ramayana names this shore as where Rama worshipped Shiva before crossing to Lanka.
History
The Ramayana describes Rama installing a Shiva lingam here after returning from Lanka, to expiate the sin of killing the Brahmin Ravana — Sita is said to have hastily sculpted the lingam from beach sand when Hanuman failed to return in time from Kailash with a 'proper' idol. Both lingams remain in the sanctum today; Rama decreed that Hanuman's Kailash lingam should be worshipped first. The present temple dates to the 12th century under the Pandyas, was expanded by the Nayaks in the 16th, and was finally completed in the 17th century by the Sethupathi kings of Ramanathapuram — whose descendants still hold the temple's hereditary trusteeship. The 1,212-metre outer corridor (Perumal Kovil Pradakshinam) took 350 years to build in segments, each pillar carved from a different quarry, making it the longest temple corridor on earth.
Best Time to Visit
October to April
Currency converter
Live INR rates, refreshed hourly. Type any amount you see on a ticket, menu or fare board to convert it.
Plan your visit
Stay, fly, or ride to Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Traveller photos
Photos from people who’ve been
Be the first to add a shot of how it really looks.
Got a photo from your visit? Add it here.
Uploading anonymously is fine — but sign in so your photos move with you across devices.
Loading photos…
Traveller reviews
What others say about Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
Sign in to leave a review for Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram.
Sign inLoading reviews…
Travel Tips
- Bathe in the 22 sacred theerthams (wells) inside the temple before darshan — ₹25 per person, takes 45 minutes
- Dress code strictly enforced: dhoti and bare chest for men, saree or salwar for women
- Pamban Bridge train ride at sunset — India's longest sea bridge, 2 km, 12 minutes
- Dhanushkodi ghost town (18 km) — hire a jeep from Rameswaram bus stand (₹1,500 round-trip)
Famous Food in Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Gandhamadhana Parvatham — where Rama's footprint is preserved, 3 km away
- Kothandaramaswamy Temple — 12 km, the only structure that survived the 1964 Dhanushkodi cyclone
- Adam's Bridge (Ram Setu) — visible on clear days from Dhanushkodi
How to Reach Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram is located in Tamil Nadu, India at coordinates 9.2885°N, 79.3175°E. You can reach Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram by air (nearest airport in Tamil Nadu), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
How to reach Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram from major cities
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram from Chennai
~543 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹335 · 10h 14m
- Train (3AC) ₹885 · 9h 26m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹1,490 · 10h 17m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹7,360 · 10h 8m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹335) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (9h 26m).
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram from Bengaluru
~563 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹345 · 10h 35m
- Train (3AC) ₹910 · 9h 46m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹1,545 · 10h 38m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹7,620 · 10h 29m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹345) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (9h 46m).
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram from Hyderabad
~1131 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹1,645 · 18h 51m
- Train (2AC) ₹2,385 · 18h 51m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹3,020 · 20h 58m
- Flight (Economy) ₹6,270 · 4h 9m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹1,645) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 9m).
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram from Pune
~1479 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹2,095 · 24h 25m
- Train (2AC) ₹3,040 · 24h 25m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹3,925 · 27h 18m
- Flight (Economy) ₹7,525 · 4h 39m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹2,095) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 39m).
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram from Mumbai
~1613 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹2,270 · 26h 33m
- Train (2AC) ₹3,290 · 26h 33m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹4,275 · 29h 44m
- Flight (Economy) ₹8,005 · 4h 51m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹2,270) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 51m).
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram from Ahmedabad
~2110 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹2,915 · 34h 30m
- Train (2AC) ₹4,220 · 34h 30m
- Flight (Economy) ₹9,795 · 5h 34m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹2,915) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (5h 34m).
Fares are indicative estimates based on distance — verify with the operator before booking.
Planning Your Visit to Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram lies in Tamil Nadu, India, and ranks among the state’s most-visited pilgrimage destinations. The nearest major city and transport gateway is Coimbatore, roughly 322 km away — most travellers route through Coimbatore by air or rail before continuing on to Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram. Time your trip for October to April for the most comfortable weather.
Visitors from United States are eligible for India’s e-Tourist Visa — apply online a few days before you fly. all on-site costs are in Indian Rupees (₹); use the currency converter above to see each ticket tier in your home currency.
Attractions closest to Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram?
- The best time to visit Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram is October to April.
- What are the top travel tips for Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram?
- Bathe in the 22 sacred theerthams (wells) inside the temple before darshan — ₹25 per person, takes 45 minutes. Dress code strictly enforced: dhoti and bare chest for men, saree or salwar for women. Pamban Bridge train ride at sunset — India's longest sea bridge, 2 km, 12 minutes. Dhanushkodi ghost town (18 km) — hire a jeep from Rameswaram bus stand (₹1,500 round-trip).
- What food is famous in Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram?
- Famous dishes in Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram include: Crab roast and prawn biryani at Abdul's Kadai, near the East Gate, Appam with kadala curry at Devi Mess, Mor (buttermilk) and panagam served free at the temple prasadam counter.
- Where is Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram located?
- Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram is in Tamil Nadu, India, at 9.2885° N, 79.3175° E. The nearest major city and transport hub is Coimbatore, about 322 km away.
- What are the best places to visit near Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram?
- Top attractions near Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram include Meenakshi Temple (about 149 km away), Shankari Devi (Trincomalee) (about 226 km away), Kanyakumari (about 237 km away) — all easy to combine on a Tamil Nadu trip.
- How to reach Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram from Chennai?
- Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram is about 543 km from Chennai. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹335, 10h 14m), Train (3AC) (~₹885, 9h 26m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹1,490, 10h 17m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹335) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (9h 26m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram from Bengaluru?
- Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram is about 563 km from Bengaluru. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹345, 10h 35m), Train (3AC) (~₹910, 9h 46m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹1,545, 10h 38m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹345) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (9h 46m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram from Hyderabad?
- Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram is about 1131 km from Hyderabad. Options include Train (3AC) (~₹1,645, 18h 51m), Train (2AC) (~₹2,385, 18h 51m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹3,020, 20h 58m). The cheapest is usually Train (3AC) (~₹1,645) and the fastest is Flight (Economy) (4h 9m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
Discover India
Planning a trip to India?
Most of our editors live and travel across India. Here are some of the destinations and stories worth bookmarking before you go.
