Quick answer: The ten essential temples and tirthas of Rameswaram are Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga with its 22 wells, Agni Theertham, Gandhamadhana Parvatham, Panchmukhi Hanuman, Kothandaramaswamy, Dhanushkodi and Arichal Munai, Lakshmana Theertham, Jada Theertham, Villoondi Theertham and Devipattinam Navagraha. Ramanathaswamy is open roughly 5 am to 1 pm and 3 to 8:30 pm. Two days is ideal; trains reach the island again over the new Pamban bridge.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Rameswaram is where Shri Ram is believed to have worshipped Shiva before crossing to Lanka, and later to seek atonement after the war. It is both a Jyotirlinga and the southern dham of the Bada Char Dham, so for many families it is the most important stop of a South India yatra. The island is small and the rituals follow a clear order: sea snan at Agni Theertham, bathing in the 22 temple wells, then darshan in dry clothes. This guide covers the main temples and tirthas, their timings, dress, distance from Rameswaram station and how to plan your days.
What is the right order of rituals in Rameswaram?
- Agni Theertham: a dip in the sea opposite the temple’s east gate.
- The 22 theerthams: walk, still wet, into the temple and have water from each of the 22 wells poured over you by the attendants.
- Change into dry clothes: devotees in wet clothes are not taken into the inner sanctum for darshan.
- Darshan of Ramanathaswamy and Parvathavardhini Amman.
- Sethu snan and the outer tirthas: Dhanushkodi, Gandhamadhana and the others.
Families coming from Kashi often carry Ganga jal for abhishek here, and take sand from Rameswaram back to the Ganga, completing an old Kashi–Rameswaram tradition.
1. Ramanathaswamy Temple (Jyotirlinga)
Deity: Shiva as Ramanathaswamy. Tradition holds that Sita shaped the main linga (Ramalingam) from sand, and that Hanuman brought a second linga (Vishwalingam) from Kailash, which Shri Ram ordered to be worshipped first. The temple’s pillared corridors are among the longest of any Hindu temple. Timings: reported as about 5 am to 1 pm and 3 to 8:30 pm; some sources give an opening of 4:30 am. A paid early-morning Spatika Linga darshan is reported in the first hours after opening; confirm the current time and ticket at the counter. Dress: traditional clothes are expected (dhoti or trousers with a shirt for men, saree or salwar for women). From station: about 1.5 to 2 km.
2. Agni Theertham
Significance: the stretch of calm sea facing the temple’s east gate, believed to be where Shri Ram bathed to cleanse the sin of war. The water is shallow and gentle, suitable for elders with support. Families also perform tarpan for ancestors here. Timings: open always; best at sunrise. From station: about 2 km.
3. Gandhamadhana Parvatham
Significance: the highest point on the island, a small hill with a shrine holding Shri Ram’s footprints (Rama Padam). Tradition says Ram surveyed the sea to Lanka from here. Views over the island are best at sunset. Timings: about 6 am to 7 pm. From station: about 3 to 4 km.
4. Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir
Deity: Hanuman with five faces. The temple displays floating stones that devotees connect with the building of the Ram Setu. Timings: about 6 am to 7 pm. From station: about 2 km.
5. Kothandaramaswamy Temple
Deity: Shri Ram with his bow (Kothanda). Tradition says Vibhishana surrendered to Ram here and was crowned king of Lanka. Remarkably, it survived the 1964 cyclone that destroyed Dhanushkodi. Timings: about 6 am to 6 pm. Distance: about 12 km on the Dhanushkodi road.
6. Dhanushkodi and Arichal Munai
Significance: the tip of the island where Ram is believed to have broken the Setu with the end of his bow (dhanush koti). The meeting of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean (Gulf of Mannar) here is regarded as a sacred sangam, and Sethu snan is part of a complete Rameswaram yatra. The ruins of the old town, destroyed in 1964, still stand. A road runs to Arichal Munai at the very end. Timings: daylight only; police may close the road in rough weather. Distance: about 18 to 20 km to Dhanushkodi, about 23 km to Arichal Munai. Do not swim on the open ocean side.
7. Lakshmana Theertham
Significance: a temple tank with a shrine to Lakshmaneshwar, where Lakshman is believed to have worshipped Shiva. Many families perform mundan and ancestral rites here. Timings: about 6 am to 7 pm. From station: about 1.5 km.
8. Jada Theertham
Significance: a small tank where Ram is believed to have washed his matted hair (jada) after worshipping at Rameswaram. A short stop on the Dhanushkodi road. Timings: daylight. Distance: about 4 km.
9. Villoondi Theertham
Significance: a freshwater spring in the sea, close to the shore. Tradition says Ram shot an arrow (vil) into the ground to bring fresh water for Sita. Timings: daylight. Distance: about 7 km on the Thangachimadam side.
10. Navagraha Temple, Devipattinam (Navapashanam)
Significance: nine stone pillars standing in shallow sea, believed to have been installed by Ram to worship the nine planets before the Lanka campaign. Devotees wade in to offer prayers for graha shanti. Timings: morning to evening; tides affect the depth. Distance: on the mainland, about 70 km from Rameswaram, near Ramanathapuram. Best visited on the way in or out.
Rameswaram temples and tirthas at a glance
| Site | Deity or significance | Approx. timings | From Rameswaram station | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramanathaswamy | Shiva (Jyotirlinga) | 5 am to 1 pm; 3 to 8:30 pm | 1.5 to 2 km | 2 to 3 hrs with 22 wells |
| Agni Theertham | Sea snan | Always | 2 km | 30 min |
| Gandhamadhana Parvatham | Rama Padam | 6 am to 7 pm | 3 to 4 km | 30 min |
| Panchmukhi Hanuman | Hanuman; floating stones | 6 am to 7 pm | 2 km | 20 min |
| Kothandaramaswamy | Shri Ram | 6 am to 6 pm | 12 km | 30 min |
| Dhanushkodi / Arichal Munai | Sethu snan, sangam | Daylight | 18 to 23 km | 2 hrs |
| Lakshmana Theertham | Lakshmaneshwar | 6 am to 7 pm | 1.5 km | 20 min |
| Jada Theertham | Ram’s hair-washing tank | Daylight | 4 km | 15 min |
| Villoondi Theertham | Freshwater in the sea | Daylight | 7 km | 30 min |
| Devipattinam Navagraha | Nine planets | Morning to evening | About 70 km | 1 hr |
Timings are from recent reports and vary on festival days and eclipses, when the temple closes. Confirm the 22 theertham ticket timings at the counter.
The 22 theerthams: what to expect
The 22 wells inside Ramanathaswamy are each believed to hold a different sacred water, from Mahalakshmi Theertham to Koti Theertham, the last. You buy a ticket at the counter (reported at about Rs 25), and attendants draw water from each well with a bucket and pour it over you. The circuit takes about 45 minutes to an hour, longer in season. Reported timings are roughly 5:30 am to 12:30 pm and 3 to 7 pm. Wear clothes you can walk in when wet (women often bathe in a salwar suit), keep a dry set in a bag, and use the changing rooms before darshan. The floors are slippery; elders should go slowly with someone holding their arm.
How to plan 1 to 3 days in Rameswaram
One day
Agni Theertham at sunrise, the 22 wells, darshan; afternoon to Kothandaramaswamy, Dhanushkodi and Arichal Munai; sunset at Gandhamadhana.
Two days
Keep day one for the temple rituals and a calm second darshan in the evening. Day two for Dhanushkodi, Panchmukhi Hanuman, Lakshmana, Jada and Villoondi Theerthams. This suits seniors best.
Three days
Add Devipattinam and Thiruppullani on the mainland, or continue to Madurai Meenakshi and Kanyakumari. Rameswaram also fits into a Jyotirlinga sankalp; see our Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga guide and the twelve Jyotirlinga list.
When is the best time to visit Rameswaram?
October to March is best, with milder heat, though the north-east monsoon (October to December) brings heavy showers and occasional cyclone warnings that close Dhanushkodi. April to June is hot and humid. Mahashivratri in February or March and the Thirukalyanam festival in summer draw big crowds, as do Aadi Amavasai (July to August) and Thai Amavasai (January to February), when lakhs come for ancestral tarpan at Agni Theertham.
How to reach Rameswaram
- Train: after the old Pamban rail bridge was shut in December 2022, trains resumed on the new 2.07 km Pamban bridge, India’s first vertical-lift sea bridge, opened on 6 April 2025. Direct trains run from Chennai and Madurai, with longer-distance services from several cities.
- Road: Madurai to Rameswaram is about 170 km, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours, over the Pamban road bridge.
- Air: Madurai airport is the nearest, about 175 km away.
How we can help
Our Rameswaram Dham Yatra (3 nights, 4 days) includes the 22 theerthams and Dhanushkodi at an unhurried pace, and the Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga yatra (2 nights, 3 days from Madurai) suits shorter visits. To combine with Kerala, see the Rameswaram and Padmanabhaswamy Yatra; for a wider sankalp, the Tamil Nadu Jyotirlinga Yatra. Browse Jyotirlinga yatras, or use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
What are the Rameswaram temple timings?
Ramanathaswamy temple is reported to open around 5 am (some sources say 4:30 am) and stay open until about 1 pm, then reopen from about 3 pm to 8:30 pm. The 22 theertham bathing runs roughly 5:30 am to 12:30 pm and 3 to 7 pm. Timings change on festivals and eclipses, so confirm at the temple.
What is the 22 theertham bath in Rameswaram?
Inside Ramanathaswamy temple are 22 sacred wells. With a ticket from the counter, reported at about Rs 25, attendants pour a bucket of water from each well over you as you walk the circuit. It takes about an hour. Afterwards you change into dry clothes, because devotees in wet clothes are not taken in for darshan.
How many days are enough for Rameswaram?
Two days is ideal: one for Agni Theertham, the 22 wells and darshan, and one for Dhanushkodi and the other tirthas. One day is possible with an early start. Add a day for Devipattinam on the mainland, or for Madurai Meenakshi on the way in or out.
Are trains running to Rameswaram now?
Yes. Rail services to the island had stopped in December 2022 when the old Pamban bridge was declared unsafe. The new 2.07 km Pamban bridge, India’s first vertical-lift sea bridge, opened on 6 April 2025, and trains run to Rameswaram again. Check the current timetable on IRCTC.
Is there a dress code at Rameswaram temple?
Traditional clothing is expected rather than strictly enforced. Men usually wear a dhoti or trousers with a shirt, and women a saree or salwar kameez. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops. For the 22 theertham bath, wear clothes you can walk in when wet and carry a dry change for darshan.
Can we visit Dhanushkodi in the evening?
Dhanushkodi and Arichal Munai are open in daylight only. Police usually stop vehicles in the late afternoon and close the road in rough weather or cyclone warnings. Plan to leave Rameswaram by early afternoon. Do not swim on the open-sea side, where currents are strong.
Why do devotees carry Ganga jal to Rameswaram?
An old tradition links Kashi and Rameswaram. Devotees bathe in the Ganga, carry its water south for abhishek of Ramanathaswamy, and take sand from Rameswaram back to the Ganga. Many families complete this over two yatras. The temple accepts sealed Ganga jal for abhishek; ask the priests about the current procedure.
What is the best time to visit Rameswaram?
October to March is most comfortable. The north-east monsoon (October to December) can bring heavy rain and occasional closures at Dhanushkodi. April to June is hot and humid. Amavasya days, especially Aadi and Thai Amavasai, draw huge crowds for ancestral rites at Agni Theertham.