Kothandaramaswamy Temple

Kothandaramaswamy Temple

The Kothandaramaswamy Temple also known as #KothandaramarTemple / #VibhishanTemple is located in #Dhanushkodi, on #Rameswaram Island at a distance of 12 km from Rameshwaram main town. The temple is Classified one among the 108 #AbhimanaKshethram of Vaishnavate tradition, The temple is the only historical structure to survive the 1964 cyclone that washed away Dhanushkodi, The temple is estimated to have been constructed about 1000 years ago, In this temple, Lord Sri Rama, the main idol, is depicted with a with Bow and Arrow the #Kothandam, hence the temple’s deity is known as Kothandaramaswamy, In this Temple Rama blessed his devotees with Goddess Sita, Lord Lakshman, Lord Hanuman, and Vibhishanan,

Kothandaramar Temple

History of Kothandaramar Temple / Kothandaramaswamy Temple / Vibhishan Temple in Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram

In this temple Vibhishna, the younger brother of Lanka King Ravana is said to have joined with the Lord Sri Rama and his army.  Vibhishana urged Ravana to return Goddess Sita to Lord Sri Rama after she was abducted. Vibishana tried everything he could to convince his brother Ravana to give Mother Goddess Sita back to Lord Sri Rama. Ravana, on the other hand, ignored Vibhishana’s advice, forcing him to leave Lanka and join Lord Sri Rama’s army. Vibhishana left Lanka and crossed over the sea via sky and came to surrender to Lord Sri Rama. All the leaders suggested Lord Sri Rama avoid accepting Vibhishana joining their army, but only Lord Hanuman explained that “Vibhishana is an honest man, Lord Hanuman said can believe Vibhishana and accept him to join Lord Rama’s army,  The story is depicted in painting across the walls inside the shrine, At this temple, we find various beautiful paintings to visually represent the history of this temple. Lord Anjaneya / Hanuman is typically depicted in a worshipping posture near Lord. Vibishana is granted this privilege in this temple. In this temple, Garuda Bhagwan and Sri Lord Sri Ramanuja also have their shrines.

Each year Vibishana Pattabishekam coronation celebration is one of the most noted festivals at this temple which is held in the Tamil month of Aani, which is between June to July. There is a temple tank named after sage Bhringi. Athi-Maram is one of the oldest trees located in the temple.

On all sides, this Temple is surrounded by seawater. The kothanda Lord Sri Ramaswamy temple is reached through a road that runs through the middle of the sea, hence making this outlandish temple an interesting spot to explore the area in Rameshwaram. Such a beautiful place, it’s where we visit here in the winter season is the best time due to the presence of cool breeze and the number of flamingos, more birds, Sethusamudram project alignment announced by indian government After Independence, six alignments were proposed for the implementation of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project. Incidentally, the fourth of the six proposed alignments was dropped because it proposed that a large area around the Rameswaram island, including the temple, be demolished, This Temple was the only building left standing when Dhanushkodi was destroyed by a cyclonic storm in 1964, which washed away everything in Dhanushkodi, There is a place near the Temple named Nandavanam where Lord Sri Rama is believed to have stayed with sage Bhringi at his ashram for a few days.

Being in the location where Lord Sri Rama traveled about and is mentioned so prominently in the Lord Sri Ramayana is an incredible experience. The temple priest was very humble and friendly, explains the history and significance of this temple in various Indian languages based on the native of the devotees.

Travel Tips for Kothandaramaswamy Temple / Kothandaramar Temple / Vibhishan Temple in Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram:

Address: Sri KothandaLord Sri Ramar Temple, Rameswaram – 623 526, Ramanathapuram.

Entry fee: Free

Kothandaramar Temple / Kothandaramaswamy Temple / Vibhishan Temple Timings: All days 7:00 PM to 5:00 PM

How To Reach Kothandaramaswamy Temple / Kothandaramar Temple / Vibhishan Temple in Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram

On-Road: KothandaLord Sri Ramaswamy Temple is 12 kilometers away from Rameswaram main temple, takes a quarter minutes drive.

Rameswaram is well connected by road with other important cities. It is easily accessible.

Nearest Railway station: Nearest Railway station PAMBAN JN ( Station code PBM ), MANDAPAM (MMM), and RAMESWARAM ( Station code RMM).

Nearest Airport: The nearest airport is at Madurai, 163 kilometers from Rameswaram.