GujaratSomnath Jyotirlinga
Prabhas Patan, Gir Somnath, Gujarat
The first among the twelve Jyotirlingas, standing on the Arabian Sea coast at Prabhas Patan and rebuilt several times through history.
Best: Oct – Mar
Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga
Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga at Rameswaram, on Pamban Island off the Tamil Nadu coast, is traditionally associated with Lord Rama and is one of the Char Dham sites as well as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
About the Temple
The Ramanathaswamy Temple is renowned for having one of the longest temple corridors in India, lined with intricately carved pillars, largely built over several centuries by successive Pandya, Chola and Nayak rulers.
Spiritual Significance
According to the Ramayana, Rama is said to have worshipped Shiva here before proceeding to Lanka, and the temple's 22 sacred wells (theerthams) are traditionally associated with ritual bathing before darshan.
Presented as religious and cultural tradition. See our spiritual & astrology disclaimer.
Important Traditions
- Ritual bathing at the 22 theerthams within the temple complex before entering the sanctum
- Dhanushkodi, at the southeastern tip of the island, is associated with the Ramayana's Rama Setu narrative
- Adi Amavasai and other Tamil calendar festival days draw large numbers of pilgrims
What Pilgrims Can Experience
- Darshan of the Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga
- A walk through the temple's long pillared corridors
- Ritual bathing at the temple's sacred theerthams (by those who wish to observe this tradition)
- Dhanushkodi, a scenic and historically significant point at the island's tip
How to Reach
Madurai Airport, around 170 km away, is the nearest major airport; Rameswaram railway station is connected via the Pamban Bridge, and the island is reachable by road from Madurai and Ramanathapuram.
Best Time to Visit
October to April, avoiding the peak summer heat; the northeast monsoon (October–December) can bring heavy rain to the region.
Practical Travel Notes
- • The temple's theerthams involve wet ritual bathing areas — many pilgrims bring a change of clothing
- • Dhanushkodi's outer roads have restricted timings and are best visited earlier in the day
- • This is one of the more distant Jyotirlingas from West Bengal, so most pilgrims combine it with wider South India travel plans
Nearby Sacred Places
- Dhanushkodi
- Pamban Bridge
- Agni Theertham (seashore near the temple)
Bharat Yatra Planning Assistance
Bharat Yatra Tour & Travels can help plan your journey to Rameswaram — route planning, transport, accommodation coordination and local travel support, tailored to your dates and group size. A dedicated tour package for this destination has not yet been published; contact us to discuss what's currently possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, tradition holds that Lord Rama worshipped Shiva at this site before proceeding to Lanka, which is central to Rameswaram's spiritual significance.
Related Destinations
Gujarat
Andhra PradeshMallikarjuna Jyotirlinga
Srisailam, Nandyal District, Andhra Pradesh
Set on the Nallamala hills above the Krishna river, Srisailam is one of the few sites where a Jyotirlinga and a Shakti Peeth are believed to stand together.
Best: Oct – Mar
Madhya PradeshMahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
One of the few Jyotirlingas facing south, famed for its pre-dawn Bhasma Aarti and its place at the heart of Ujjain's pilgrimage circuit.
Best: Oct – Mar