Place
Rameswaram: FAQ & Sources
रामेश्वरमRameswaram, on Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu, is where tradition says Rama worshipped Shiva, using a lingam of sand shaped by Sita. Its Ramanathaswamy temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and one of the Char Dham, with India's longest temple corridors and 22 sacred wells.
RegionRamanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu
Frequently asked questions
Why is Rameswaram famous?
It holds one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is one of the Char Dham, and is where Rama is said to have worshipped Shiva before or after the war of Lanka.
Who made the lingam at Rameswaram?
Tradition says Sita shaped the Ramalingam from sand; Hanuman brought the Vishwalingam from Kailash.
What are the 22 theerthams?
Sacred wells inside the Ramanathaswamy temple in which pilgrims bathe before darshan.
How far is Rameswaram from Sri Lanka?
Dhanushkodi, at the tip of the island, is about 30 km from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka.
Sources
- Valmiki Ramayana, Yuddha Kanda
- Shiva Purana, Koti Rudra Samhita (Jyotirlinga list)
- Tamil Nadu Tourism, Rameswaram
Read our editorial policy on how scripture, Purana and folk tradition are labelled.
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