The temple at Rameshvaram, is one of the twelve sacred Jyotir Linga sites. However unlike the other eleven Jyotir Linga sites, Rameshvaram has two sacred Lingas instead of just one. A legend from one of India’s great epics, the Ramayana, explains this unique condition. Ravana had abducted Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. Following a terrific battle on the island of Lanka in which Rama killed Ravana, Sita and Rama returned to India. At the site where they landed, Rama decided to install a Shiva Linga to absolve him of the sin of destroying Ravana who, besides being a demon, was also a Brahmin . Lord Rama sent Hanuman, to Mt. Kailash to get a linga from Lord Shiva. Hanuman’s journey took longer than expected however, and as the auspicious time of worship neared, Sita quickly fashioned a linga out of sand. When Hanuman finally arrived with a stone linga from Kailash he was disappointed to find another lingam already installed. To please Hanuman, Rama installed the stone lingam beside the sand one and ordered that all worship should henceforth be given first to the Visvalingam brought by Hanuman, and only then to the Ramalinga made by Sita.
That was the story folks.now about the temple...
The enormous temple of the two Shiva Lingams lies near the seashore at the tip of India. Besides the 100-foot tall gopuram towers , the temple is renowned for its magnificent corridors with massive stone pillars.The temple has a 3700 feet corridor which is the longest in India. There are also 22 sacred bathing pools within the temple complex. Fully clothed, the pilgrims immerse themselves in each of these pools - known for their miraculous healing cures - before praying at the two Shiva Lingams.
There is also a spring, supposed to have sprung from Ramas arrow, known as koti tirtham.
This is one temple that is located beautifully. Take care though not to fall prey to the various guides and priests who appear from nowhere on the pretext to take u thro the temple. To know the history in detail do employ a guide, but fix the price in the beginning itself. The history, and explanations about most carvings in the temple are just great. Do not miss out on any section of the temple. It is fabulous.
If you want to avoid crowds, do not dare to go there during mahashivaratri, or from mar-apr, cause that is the time for the Brahmotsava.
The journey to Rameshwaram is also very beautiful.
You can plan a full day tour from madurai to rameshwaram and back.Cause it is the nearest big city.