Rameshwaram Temple :
This temple is the center of attraction and thousands of
piligrims
pour in daily. It is a gem of Dravidian architecture. It is known
worldwide for its magnificent corridors running 4000 ft (1220
meters) in length and 30 in breadth lined by massive sculptured
pillars. Figures representing elephants lifting their trunks
caught between the paws and fangs of rampant lions. hunters and
warriors riding on horses or elephant are favourite themes. The
temple built Sethupathis, the rulers of Ramanathapuram district
between 1414 A.D. and 1649 A.D and it has grown in leaps and
bounds to the present stage. The statues of Sethupathis line the
corridors at the eastern gate before the Nataraja shrine. Some are
found in the Kalyana Mandapam too. They are all lifelike in
appearance. The gopuram on the east facing the sea front rises to
a height of 126 ft. and is 100 meters away from the sea. Devotees
bathe in the sea water here which is considered to be sacred pools
or Teethes like this are innumerable in Rameshwaram and the
piligrims bungle into them with untiring zeal and devotion. The
temple is built at the spot where Rama worshipped Lord Siva. In
order to worship Siva, Hanuman could not return before the arrival
of the auspicious hour; so Seta Herself mounded a Lingam. It so
happened that Hanuman could not return before the arrival of the
auspicious hour; so Seta Herself muddled a Lingam for Rama. When
Hanuman arrived later, He was consoled and the Lingam brought by
Him was given precedence over Samantha and made to worship of
Samantha by the devotees.
