Temples around Rameshwaram

In and around Rameswaram are several temples

Situated just 2 km from Rameshwaram Temple, the Hanuman Temple has a huge Five-faced (पांच मुख) idol of Hanuman in black stone. The legend goes that, while on their way to Lanka, Ram and his brother Lakshman were abducted by Ahiravan, Ravan’s brother who hid them in the nether world (paatal lok). The demon Ahiravan could be killed only if five oil lamps, kept in five different directions were extinguished at the same time. Hanuman, facing east, took four other forms - Narasimha facing south, Garud facing west, Varah facing north and Hayagriva facing the sky. He then extinguished the diyas and rescued Ram and Lakshman. 

Five-faced (पांच मुख) idol of Hanuman in black stone

Incidentally he came out of Paatal lok at Naimisharanya (please see an earlier post here). The temple also displays a few stones floating in water, said to indicate those which were used to build the bridge – Ram Setu - between India and Lanka. (Read my post on Dhanushkodi here)

The floating stones in the Hanuman temple

A closer look at a floating stone piece we have

Gandhamathan Parvatham, a hillock and the highest point in the island is said to be the site from where Hanuman set off to Ravan’s Lanka to find Sita. Other legends link it to Hanuman fetching the herb to save Lakshman, still others to it being the place where Hanuman still lives. It gives a birds’ eye view of the whole island. 

The view from the Gandhamathan Parvatham

Rameshwaram temple seen from the Gandhamathan Parvatham

The Ramarpatham Temple situated on it is a two storeyed hall, where Rama's feet is found as an imprint on a chakra (wheel). 

The Ramarpatham Temple

Inside the Ramarpatham Temple

Kothandaramaswamy Temple located at the southernmost tip of Pamban island, is said to be the place where Vibhishan sought refuge with Ram, and where he was subsequently coronated. The temple has the idols of Ram, Sita and Laxman along with Vibhishan. The paintings on the wall depict the story. 

The Kothandaramaswamy Temple where Vibhishan was coronated

Incidentally the Pamban Bridge that connects Rameswaram on the Pamban Island with mainland India is also the country’s first sea bridge and is among the most fascinating places to see in Rameshwaram.

The railway line, visible from the Pamban bridge

Another view from the Pamban Bridge