Other temples / sites in Rameswaram

There are a few other temples and sites in Rameswaram that are linked to the Ramayana.

Ramar Padham

This is located on the Gandhamadhana Parvatham, a small hillock located about 3 km north-west from the Ramanathaswami temple, and can be reached by car. This is the highest point on Pamban Island.

There is a pair of preserved footprints of Rama here, from where he is said to have surveyed the land and planned his conquest of Lanka.

This is also the location of the Panchamukhi Hanuman temple. This place offers great views, particularly at sunset. However, it closes between 6.00 and 6.30 pm on most days.

Rama theertham, Lakshmana theertham and Sita theertham

These are located about 3 km west of the Ramanathaswami temple, on the highway (en route to Ramanathapuram). The three theerthams are located very close together.

Sthala puranam

• Rama and Lakshmana bathed at the ponds here to expiate their respective sins of Brahmahathi dosham. In the Ramanaya, Rama killed Ravana (a brahmin), and Lakshmana killed Indrajit and Atikaya (both sons of Ravana, and hence brahmins).
• In the Mahabharatham, Yudhisthira is said to have bathed at Rama theertham to expiate his sin of lying to Dronacharya about Ashwatthama.

Other theerthams

Outside of the temple, there are other theerthams in and around Rameshwaram – such as Bhima theertham, Dharma theertham, Gandamadana theertham, etc – each with their own significance. You can find additional information about them here.