Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram

Introduction to the Kothandaramaswamy Temple

The Kothandaramaswamy Temple is one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams of Vaishnavite tradition located in Rameshwaram. It is on the southernmost tip of India, with the Gulf of Mannar on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other. The Hindu Religious Endowment Board (HRCE) administers and maintains the temple.

Legend of the Kothandaramaswamy Temple

According to legend, Ravana abducted Sita and imprisoned her in Lanka. Vibhishana advised Ravana to release Sita from his custody and allow her to return to Rama. However, Ravana refused to listen to Vibhishana and considered him a betrayer.

Vibhishana then went to Rama for refuge and later helped them during the war. After killing Ravana, Rama crowned Vibhishana the king of Lanka.

According to another legend, a place near the temple named Nandavanam is where Rama is believed to have stayed with Sage Bhringi at his ashram for a few days.

History of the Kothandaramaswamy Temple

The Kothandaramaswamy Temple is 1000 years old. This ancient temple withstood the massive 1964 cyclone, which flattened Dhanushkodi, turning it into a ghost town. Miraculously, this temple alone survived the cyclone when all the other buildings in the town were destroyed.

The Architecture of the Kothandaramaswamy Temple

The Kothandaramaswamy Temple is in the traditional Dravidian style of architecture. The temple complex has a sanctum where Rama (Kothandaramaswamy), Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman grace their devotees. The main deity, Rama, holds a bow (Kothandam) and arrow, so he is called Kothandaramaswamy.

Beautiful paintings adorn the temple walls, depicting incidents from the epic Ramayana and the temple's history.

There is a Pattabhishekam Mandapam in the temple where the coronation ceremony of Vibhishana is depicted through beautiful sculptures. Kothandaramaswamy Theertham is a sacred pond believed to have purifying powers.

The revered saint Swami Vivekananda is said to have visited the Kothandaramaswamy Temple before his tour to Chicago.

Athi Maram is one of the oldest trees in the area. The temple tank is named after Sage Bhringi.

Vibhishana is believed to have waved the white flag to surrender before Rama at this place.

Festivals in the Kothandaramaswamy Temple

Rama Navami, Navratri, and Kartikai Deepam are grandly celebrated in the Kothandaramaswamy Temple.

The temple performs special Poojas on the last Purattasi Saturday (September-October) and VibhishanaPattabhishekam in Aani month (June-July).

Benefits of Worshipping at the Kothandaramaswamy Temple

People who wish to avoid the wicked, aim to follow a righteous life and expect job promotions can pray to Kothandaramaswamy in the temple. Devotees offer Tulsi garlands to the deity.