This is the 252nd Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva stahalam and 8th stahalam of Pandya Nadu. This is one of the Jyothir linga Kshethram. This place was also called as Sethu.
As per Sekkizhar, Thirugnanasambandar after curing the decease of Pandya King, he started his pilgrimage to the Shiva Temples of Pandya Naadu along with the Pandya King NinraSeer Nedumaran alias Sundara Pandyan, his Queen Magaiyarkarasi and Minister Kulachiraiyar. In Sundarar Puranam Sekkizhar mentions that Sundarar and Cheraman Peruman worshiped Sri Ramanathaswamy and sung hymns and from there he has sung Sri Lanka Thiruketheeswarar Also. But the hymn is missing.
சேதுவின்கண் செங்கண் மால்பூசை செய்து சிவபெருமான் தனைப் பாடிப் பணிந்து போந்து காதலுடன் அந்நகரில் இனிது மேவிக் கண்ணுதலான் திருத்தொண்டர் ஆனார்க்கு எல்லாம் கோதுஇல் புகழ்ப் பாண்டிமாதேவியார் மெய்க் குலச்சிறையார் குறைவு அறுத்துப் போற்றிச் செல்ல நாதர்தமை நாள்தோறும் வணங்கி ஏத்தி நளிர்வேலைக் கரையில் நயந்து இருந்தார் அன்றே......... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம் மன்னும் இராமேச்சரத்து மாமணியை முன் வணங்கிப் பன்னுதமிழ்த் தொடை சாத்திப் பயில்கின்றார் பாம்பு அணிந்த சென்னியார் மாதோட்டத் திருகேதீச்சரம் சார்ந்து சொல்மலர் மாலைகள் சாத்தித் தூரத்தே தொழுதமர்ந்தார்......... சுந்தரர் புராணம்Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamikal and sundarar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. As per Sekkizhar Thirunavukkarasar worshiped Sri Ramanathaswamy after worshiping of Lord Shiva of Thirupuvanam. Sundarar’s hymns are not traceable.
அலைவளர் தண்மதி யோடய லேஅடக் கிஉமை முலைவளர்பாக முயங்கவல்ல முதல்வன்முனி இலைவளர் தாழைகள் விம்முகானல் இராமேச்சுரம் தலைவளர் கோலநன் மாலையன் தானிருந் தாட்சியே.... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் பாசமும் கழிக்க கில்லா அரக்கரைப் படுத்துத் தக்க வாசமிக் கலர்கள் கொண்டு மதியினால் மால் செய் கோயில் நேசமிக் கன்பி னாலே நினைமி னீர் நின்று நாளும் நேசமிக் கான் இருந்த திரு இரா மேச்சு ரம்மே.... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் -“சித்தாய்ந்து நாம் ஈசராகும் நலம்தரும் என்று உம்பர்தொழும் ராமீசம் வாழ் சீவரத்தினமே”....... திரு அருட்பா வாரணியும் இருகொங்கை மாதர் மகிழ் கங்கைபுகழ் வளமருவு தேவை அரசே! வரை ராஜனுக்(கு) இரு கண் மணியாய் உதித்தமலை வளர் காதலிப் பெண் உமையே! ....... தாயுமானவர் பாடல் தாள் நெடிய விடைமுனிந்து, கயிலை முக்கண் தாதையொடும் விளையாடித் தன்பால் அன்பர் மாண்நிலவு மனத்தறி நின்(று) உலவும் தெய்வ வாரணத்தை நினத்திறைஞ்சி வழுத்தல் செய்வாம்........ சேது புராணம்Moolavar : Sri RamanatheswararConsort : Sri Parvathavarthini
Some of the important features of this temple are...The moolavar is of bana lingam (1) about 2 feet height. On the head a five headed hood Nagam like umbrella. It was believed that the sanctum was constructed ( from one of the epigraph ) during 1414 by the Sri Lankan king Pararaajaseka with the stones brought from Thirukonamalai ).
In Artha mandapam, Abhisheka medai/ platform and Upachara medai of 36 feet square. Vinayagar on the left and Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar at the entrance of sanctum. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of moolavar sannadhi with korai tooth.
Maha mandapam is in front of artha mandapam and people used to worship from her. There are two Shiva Lingas on either side of maha mandapam.
On north west Anjaneyar and on southwest Ramar, Seetha and Lakshman, Anjaneyar Urchavars in cheppu/ copper are there.
Moolavar Vimanam is of two tiers with stucco images. In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. Chandikeswarar is on the opposite to Durgai.
Urchavar Somaskandar (2a) is in a separate sannadhi on the south side of Chandikeswara with karuvarai and artha mandapam. Somaskandar and Amman are in a separate pedam in a separate sannadhi on the south side to sanctum sanctorum.
On the back of urchavar sannadhi on the northwest Seetha, Ramar and Lakshmanan are in a separate mandapam.
Kashi Viswanathar sannadhi (2) is on the north side of Sri Ramanathaswamy sannadhi. It was believed that the moolavar was brought from Kasi. Pooja is conducted to Kasi Viswanathar first and latter to Sri Ramanathaswamy. The sannadhi is like a separate temple with artha mandapam and single tier vimanam and stucco images.
The corridor Around Sri Ramanathaswamy and Sri Kasi Viswanathar sannadhi is called as First Prakaram. In the 1st prakaram sannadhi for, Usha Suryan and Prathyusha (3), Sahasra Lingam(4), Cheppu and stone thirumeni of 63 Nayanmar ( 5a & 5b), Sekkizhar, Saraswathy(6) on Pathrapedam, Vinayagar (7), Sankaranarayanar(8) ( Shiva in half and Thirumal other half ), Arthanareeswarar (9) with their vahanam Rishabam and simham, Chandrasekarar & Gowri (10) in separate pedam, Sri Valli Devasena samedha Murugan(11), Gajalakshmi (12), 11 Lingams of Ekatha rudhras (13) and Visalakshi Amman ( Kashi Visalakshi (14) is in a separate temple like sannadhi with arthamandapam and Vimanam), Sabhamandapam (15), Jyothirlingam (16), Krithika, Chandran, Rohini (17).
Rishaba mandapam, Dwajasthambam and balipeedam (18 & 19) are at the entrance of first corridor. Rishabam is of little big (22 feet length, 12 feet width and 17 feet high ) made of stucco /sudhai. Viswanathar and Krishnappa Nayakar reliefs are on the mandapam pillar. The Nandhi has Urchavar, Vahana and moortham like Thirumazhapadi. Navagrahas (20) are on the north side of Rishaba mandapam.
Maha Ganapathy (21) sannadhi sanctum sanctorum with a vimanam in on the south side. Devi is on the lap of Sri Vinayagar. Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar (22) is on the north side. The construction is similar Sri Vinayagar Sannadhi.
Parvathavarthini Amman sannadhi (23) is of separate temple type with Sanctum, Artha mandapam, Maha mandapam and corridor. The vimanam is of single tier type with stucco images. Amman temple is on the right of Moolavar temple. Amman is in standing posture on a padma peedam and Srichakram is also installed. Sandikeswari is on the north side facing south. In Amman temple corridor Santhana and Sowbhagya Ganapathi (24), Saptamatrikas (25) ( Brahmi, Maheswari, Kowmari, Vaishnavi, Vaaraki, Indrani and Samundi.), Pallikonda Perumal (26) and Palliyarai (27). Ashta Lakshmis (27a) are at the passage from first prakaram.
Sukravara mandapam (28) is out side Parvatha Vardhini Amman Temple. The mandapam has 32 pillars with reliefs. On the south corner Sri Kalyanasundareswarar, Suryan are facing east Brahma and Vishnu are facing north. On the north west Ashtalakshmi (27a) in a single stone slab. In the center of the mandapam Rishabam and Dwajasthambam on a separate platform.
Navasakthi mandapam (29) is on the way to second corridor from Sukravara mandapam. Between this and Rishaba mandapam is the Shiva Theertham (30).
The second corridor is 352 feet on east to west direction and 244 feet on south to North with a width is 16 feet. Sannadhi for Vinayagar (31), Madappalli (32), Karuvoolam (33), Theerthams. Sethumadhavar Sannadhi (34) is between 2nd and 3rd corridors. The sannadhi has Karuvarai, Artha mandapam and Maha mandapam and Vimanam. Vishnu sannadhis (35) on the North east direction. Sethumadhavar Sannadhi and Vishnu sannadhi has an entrance of sobhana type ( with Steps).
The third corridor is called as Chokkattan mandapam. This has 1212 pillars of 22 feet & 7.5 inches. The length is 649 feet on east west direction and 395 feet on south to north direction with 15 feet width. The platform height on both side is 5 feet. When we come out of Sri Ramanthaswamy sannadhi in the third prakaram ceiling 12 Rasis with their Devadhas in 32 squares. Vahana rooms (36), Stucco images of Sethupathi and Veerabhadra (37) from third corridor. Kothandaramar sannadhi (38) like a separate temple with sanctum sanctorum, Artha mandapam and vimanam, stucco images of Sri Ramalinga Pradistai (39)– Ramar, Seetha and Lakshmana, Sugreeva, Vibeesnar.
Natarajar Sannadhi (40) is on the third corridor with sanctum, Artha mandapam and maha mandapam. On the east Anuppu mandapam, has stucco images and paintings of Shiva’s dances. Mahalakshmi sannadhi (42), Anjaneyar sannadi, Sethupathi mandapam (41), Kalyana mandapam (44).
The east Rajagopuram(45) is of 126 feet with 9 tiers & 9 kalasams. This construction was started during 1629 CE by Thalavai Sethupathi and completed in 1904 CE by Nattuk kottai nagarathar A.L.A.R family.
The West Rajagopuram (46) is of very old construction with full of stone during 1434 CE and the height is 78 feet with 5 tiers. Vinayagar (21)and Sri Subramaniar sannadhi (22) are the front.
Under construction are Urchavar Kalyana mandapam (49) at the south west corner, South side (48) and North side (47) 5 tier Rajagopuras.
The 15th Century Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple.
மேகர உக்ர பரி தான் ஏறி, வெற்றிபுனை வீரா! குறச் சிறுமி மணவாளா ஞான பரற்(கு) இனிய வேதாக மப்பொருளை நாணாது உரைக்கும் ஒரு பெரியோனே நாராயணற்கு மருகா! வீறு பெற்றிலகு ரமேச்சு ரத்திலுறை பெருமாளே
DETAILS OF THE MAP
SL NO
DESCRIPTION
SL NO
DESCRIPTION
1
Sri Ramanathaswamy Sannadhi
31
Pillayar Sannadhi
2
Sri Kasi Viswanathar Sannadhi
32
Madapallai
2a
Somaskandhar Sannadhi
33
Karuvulam
3
Suryan Usha Prathyusa
34
Sethumadhavar sannadhi
4
Sahasra Lingam
35
Vishnu sannadhi
5a
63var ( cheppu )
36
Vahana mandapangal
5b
63var ( Stones )
37
Sethupathi and Veerabhadra
6
Saraswathy
38
Kothandaramar sannadhi
7
Vinayagar
39
Sri Ramalinga Prathistai
8
Sankaranarayanar
40
Natarajar Sannadhi
9
Arthanareeswarar
41
Sethupathi Mandapam
10
Chandrasekar, Gowri, Pitchadanar
42
Mahalakshmi
11
Sri Murugan with Valli Devasena
43
Devasthanam Office
12
Gajalakshmi
44
Kalyana Mandapam
13
Eka sathrar – 11 lingas
45
East Rajagopuram
14
Visalakshi Amman sannadhi
46
West Rajagopuram
15
Natarajar & Ambalavanar saandhi
47
North Rajagopuram
15a
Ambalavanar Sannadhi
48
South Rajagopuram
16
Jyothi Lingam
49
Urchavar Kalyana mandapam
17
Krithika Chandran & Rohini
50
Devotees resting place
18
Nandhi mandapam with Palipedam & Dwajasthambam
19
Sudhai nandhi
20
Navagrahas
21
Mahaganapathy
22
Subramaniyar Sannadhi
23
Parvathavardhini Amman Sannadhi
24
Santhana & Sowbakyavaganapathy
25
Sabtha mathakkal
26
Pallikonda Perumal
27
Palliyarai
27a
Ashta Lakshmis
28
Sukkiravara mandapam
29
Navasakthi Mandapam
30
Siva Theertham
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSEven-though Thirugnanasambandar and Appar Visited this temple during 7th Century and was ruled by the Pandyas and Chozhas, till 10th Century this temple was in a temporary structure.It is believed that some of the sanndhis are constructed during Parantaka and Rajaraja Chozha during 10th and 11th Century.
Sri Lanka King Parakramabahu ( 1153 – 1186 CE ) was believed to be built the main sannadhis which includes Moolavar, Parvathavarthini Ambal, Kasi Viswanathar and Visalakshi Sannadhi and the first prakara during the end of 12th Century. Harihara-II of Vijayanagara dynasty started the 2nd Corridor but could not be completed, but the same was completed by Thirumalai Sethupathi. Udayan Sethupathi with the help of Sri Lankan Tamil King Pararajasekaraya Chakravarthy in 1414CE, the sanctum sanctorum was reconstructed and the required stones are brought from Trincomalee. The Stucco Rishabam of 17 feet high and 12 feet width was constructed by Chinna Udaiyan Kattathevar. Palliyarai, front mandapa and Ambal sannadhi are constructed by Ravi Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathi. He also started the outer most prakara in 1722 CE and the same was completed Challa Muthu Raghunatha Sethupathi and Muthu Ramalinga Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathi.
Between 1897 to 1904 the A.L.A.R family of Devakottai completed the construction of eastern 9 tiers of 126 feet high Rajagopuram. They also renovated the sanctum sanctorum and the inner prakaram between 1907 to 1925. During the renovation flooring was replaced with granite stones.
The front Sethupathi mandapa was built by Ramanatha Sethupathi, a descendent of Ramnad Raja dynasty with his own fund of Rs 275000.00, which was started in 1969 and completed in 1974. Kumbhabhishekam were conducted on 1925, on 27th Feb 1947, 05th Feb 1975, 05th Feb 2001, 05th Feb 2007 and 20th Jan 2016 ( The South Rajagopuram was Constructed and consecrated ).
Viswanatha Nayakar Veerappa Nayakar Ayyan 22nd year reign inscription ( AR 97 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -382 ) records the gift of 2 veli Land to this temple by Pellappa Nayakar
The 1578 CE inscription ( AR 98 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -383 ) records the endowment of Pooja at this temple by Pandaran Narakar ayyan and Mudaliyar ayyan for which 700 pon and in addition to this anything which received as kanikkai like, cow, Horse, elephant etc to be used for the pooja. This was received by Ramachandra Mudaliyar and Ramayana Battar. This should be inscribed at the Rajagopuram entrance of Madurai Chokkanathar Temple. And The pooja prasadam of Rice, Sandal paste, Rudra abhisheka sudhanthiran ( wage/fees to archakar .?) was handed over to Viswanatha Nayaka Veerappa Nayaka Ayyan Mudaliyar at Madurai.
The recorded Inscription details are....Sri Madhu Viswanatha Nayakkar Veerappa Nayakkar Ayyan 22nd year reign inscription ( AR 97 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -382 ) records the gift of 2 veli Land at Chozhamandalam Peththannapuram, to this temple by Pellappa Nayakar for the Kuppeechuram Thippa Nayagi’s pooja
The 1598 CE year inscription ( saka 1520 )( AR 99 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -384 ) is in the form of a song records the construction of a mandapam by Ramanathan (?), - which was constructed by Rama to get rid of the sin caused by killing Langesan”.
The 1608 CE year inscription ( saka 1530 )( AR100 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -385 ) is in the form of a song records the gift to the Maha Vishnu Sannadhi.
Another inscription ska 1390 ie 1468 CE records the installation of dwajasthamba in front of Parvatha Vardhini Amman Temple.
Raja Sethupathy Kaththa Devar’s 29th year reign inscriptions ( AR101 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -386 ), records that his son Koothan alias Sethupathi Kaththa Devar constructed the 1st prakara thiru nada maligai and Aruda mandapam.
At Chindambareswara Sannadhi Veera Pandyan period inscription ( AR104 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -389 ) records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamps for which the ulakku ghee to be supplied... the inscription is damaged in many places.
Pandya King Ko Chadaya varman ...Pandya devar’s 15th year reign inscription ( AR104 A of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -390 ) records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which ghee of one nazhi... the inscription is damaged in many places.
The inscription is on the Anjaneyar Sannadhi. Sethupathi katha Devar’s 16th year reign inscription ( AR105 of 1903, SII Vol-VIII -391 ) records that his son Thalavai Devan Kulasekaran alias Sethupathi katha Devar built a mandapa used during celebration/ brahmotsavam for Urchavars
LEGENDSAs per the legend Rama after the wants to worship Lord Shiva at Rameswaram. So Rama asked vayuputhra Anjaneyar to bring a Shiva linga from Kasi. Since it was delayed Seeta made a Shiva Linga out of sand, Rama worshiped the same. Then he installed the Shiva Linga on the north side of the Sand Linga, which Anjaneyar brought from Kasi. At Rameswaram pooja will begin from this Kasi Viswanatha Lingam.
In another Legend Maha Lakshmi, after leaving Maha Vishnu came to this Bhoolok and was brought up by the Pandya King Guna Nidhi. Maha Vishnu after taking the Andhanar form married Maha Lakshmi, called Sethu Madhavar. The worship of Rameswaram will be fulfilled only after worshiping Sethumadhavar.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from Regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on 10 days Maha Shivaratri festival ( Feb – March ), 10 days Vasanthotsavam in Vaikasi ( May – June ), Ramalinga Prathistai Ani ( May – June ), 17 days Thirukalyanam ( July – Aug ), 10 days Navratri festival in Purattasi ( Sep – Oct ), 6 days Kandha Sashti in Aippasi ( Oct – Nov ), 10 days Arudra Darshan in Margazhi ( Dec – Jan )
TEMPLE TIMINGS :The temple will be kept open for the devotees from 5 A.M to 9 P.M(except between 1 P.M and 3 P.M). The poojas are performed six times a day in this temple.
CONTACT DETAILS :Web site : http://www.rameswaramtemple.tnhrce.in/E-Mail ID : lordramnath2012@gmail.com The Joint Commissioner / Executive Officer, Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - 623526. Ramanathapuram District. Phone No. : 04573 – 221223, Fax and Computer Section No. : 04573 - 223230 HOW TO REACH : Train facility is available from Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Thanjavur and other important cities. ( Train nos 755, 2790, 751, 0689, 6734, 753 from Madurai and 6713 & 6101 from Chennai ).Bus facility is available from Madurai, Kanyakumari, Chennai and Trichy. It is also connected to Pondicherry and Thanjavur via Madurai.The temple is 59 KM from Ramanathapuram, 157 KM from Devakottai, 188 KM from Madurai, 230 KM from Trichy, 560 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway station is Rameswaram
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Sethupathi Mandapam with Sethupathi's images 
Agasthiyar Temple
Agni Theertham
Thirukkalyana mandapam
Agni Theertham Entrance
Agni Theertham
A Vinayagar Sannadhi in North east corner street
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
சேதுவின்கண் செங்கண் மால்பூசை செய்து
மன்னும் இராமேச்சரத்து மாமணியை முன் வணங்கிப்
வாரணியும் இருகொங்கை மாதர் மகிழ் கங்கைபுகழ்
வளர் காதலிப் பெண் உமையே!
தாள் நெடிய விடைமுனிந்து, கயிலை முக்கண்
DETAILS OF THE MAP
SL NO | DESCRIPTION | SL NO | DESCRIPTION |
1 | Sri Ramanathaswamy Sannadhi | 31 | Pillayar Sannadhi |
2 | Sri Kasi Viswanathar Sannadhi | 32 | Madapallai |
2a | Somaskandhar Sannadhi | 33 | Karuvulam |
3 | Suryan Usha Prathyusa | 34 | Sethumadhavar sannadhi |
4 | Sahasra Lingam | 35 | Vishnu sannadhi |
5a | 63var ( cheppu ) | 36 | Vahana mandapangal |
5b | 63var ( Stones ) | 37 | Sethupathi and Veerabhadra |
6 | Saraswathy | 38 | Kothandaramar sannadhi |
7 | Vinayagar | 39 | Sri Ramalinga Prathistai |
8 | Sankaranarayanar | 40 | Natarajar Sannadhi |
9 | Arthanareeswarar | 41 | Sethupathi Mandapam |
10 | Chandrasekar, Gowri, Pitchadanar | 42 | Mahalakshmi |
11 | Sri Murugan with Valli Devasena | 43 | Devasthanam Office |
12 | Gajalakshmi | 44 | Kalyana Mandapam |
13 | Eka sathrar – 11 lingas | 45 | East Rajagopuram |
14 | Visalakshi Amman sannadhi | 46 | West Rajagopuram |
15 | Natarajar & Ambalavanar saandhi | 47 | North Rajagopuram |
15a | Ambalavanar Sannadhi | 48 | South Rajagopuram |
16 | Jyothi Lingam | 49 | Urchavar Kalyana mandapam |
17 | Krithika Chandran & Rohini | 50 | Devotees resting place |
18 | Nandhi mandapam with Palipedam & Dwajasthambam | ||
19 | Sudhai nandhi | ||
20 | Navagrahas | ||
21 | Mahaganapathy | ||
22 | Subramaniyar Sannadhi | ||
23 | Parvathavardhini Amman Sannadhi | ||
24 | Santhana & Sowbakyavaganapathy | ||
25 | Sabtha mathakkal | ||
26 | Pallikonda Perumal | ||
27 | Palliyarai | ||
27a | Ashta Lakshmis | ||
28 | Sukkiravara mandapam | ||
29 | Navasakthi Mandapam | ||
30 | Siva Theertham |
E-Mail ID : lordramnath2012@gmail.com
Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram - 623526. Ramanathapuram District.
HOW TO REACH :
Sethupathi Mandapam with Sethupathi's images
Agasthiyar Temple
Agni Theertham
Thirukkalyana mandapam
Agni Theertham Entrance
A Vinayagar Sannadhi in North east corner street
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