The Ramanatha Swamy Temple, located in Rameswaram, stands as a monumental edifice that boasts an extraordinary blend of architectural splendor and historical depth. The temple is renowned for its vast complex, which features three extensive prakara (corridors) that encircle the sanctum (inner sanctuary). These corridors, adorned with 22 gopurams (towers), including four primary gateway gopurams aligned with the cardinal directions, create a mesmerizing and sacred atmosphere. The temple also houses a majestic Nandi (sacred bull) statue, various mandapas (halls), and numerous therthas (holy water bodies),
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| View from Top Rameswaram temple, TN.i.ytimg.com/vi |
Above image: Sri Ramanatha Swamy temple, Ramanathapuram, TN: Temple vie from the top showing main entrance gates with gopuram, long compound walls follow ed by 3rd (outer), 2nd(middle) and innermost prakara close to the sanctum or garbhagriha.............
Enclosed by massive compound walls measuring approximately 865 feet from east to west and 657 feet from north to south, each wall is crowned by towering gopurams. The Raja Gopuram, standing at 170 feet, is the tallest and serves as a prominent landmark visible from afar.
Raja gopuram and inner tower Rameswaram templerickshawchallenge.com
Architectural Marvels - Spread over an expansive 15 acres, the temple complex includes a remarkable 4000-foot-long pillared corridor, the longest of its kind in the world. This corridor, supported by over 4000 intricately decorated granite pillars, offers a breathtaking view with its symmetrical alignment and meticulous design. The builders opted for granite rocks imported from outside the island to ensure stability, as the local rocks were unsuitable for bearing heavy load.
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| .outer prakara with 1000 pillars,Ramanathaswamy temple Rameswaram bp.blogspot.com |
Above image: Image taken in 1928. Historical and sacred Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy temple (one of the 4 Dhams), Tamil Nadu- outer corridor or pradhkshanapath with 1000 ornate pillars set on the granite platform on both sides. The prakara stretches all along encircling the sanctum where Shiva linga made of sand that was enshrined by Sri Rama himself.....
Historical Contributions - The temple's construction and embellishments owe much to the rulers of the Setupathy dynasty of Ramanathapuram. Between the 12th and late 18th centuries, these rulers made significant contributions, including the construction of the ambitious third prakara. Their contribution is eternal and will go doen in Indian history as other dynasties. The temple's grandeur is enhanced by these covered wide corridors, designed in the Dravida architectural style and supported by tall, ornate granite pillars set on a 5-foot-high platform.
Evolution Through Centuries - Initially, the prakara around the sanctum was a simple thatched structure. In the 12th century, King Parakramabahu of Lanka constructed the sanctum and the earliest masonry Nandi, along with the Nandi Mandapam. Subsequently, the second corridor was added, providing access to the inner and outer prakara and housing 108 Lingas and an idol of god Ganesha. The later periods saw the birth of stone corridors adorned with captivating sculptures of deities, enhancing the temple's elegance and sacred ambiance.
The Setupathy Dynasty's Legacy - The Setupathy rulers played a pivotal role in the temple's development. In the 17th century, Dalavai Setupati built part of the main eastern Gopuram. In the late 18th century, Muthuramalinga Sethupathi constructed the world-famous third corridor, known as "Chokkatan Mandapam." His statue, along with those of his two ministers, stands at the western entrance to this corridor. The vimanas in the temple reflect Pallava architectural influences, while the composite columns, featuring Virabhadra holding a sword and horn, signify contributions from the Vijayanagara Empire.
Ritual and Function - The Chokkatan Mandapam serves as a venue for worshipping processional idols (Utsava Murtis) during festivals like Vasanthotsavam (Spring festival) and the 6th-day festivals in Adi (July–August) and Masi (February–March). These Utchavars will be taken in religious procession around the temple on festive occasions. These celebrations are conducted by the descendants of the Sethupathi dynasty, highlighting the enduring legacy of their contributions.The tradition continues even to day a mark of homomer for the pious, dedicated and munificent rulers of the past era.
Structural Layout- The outer corridors surrounding the sanctum are the longest in the world, measuring about 6.9 meters in height, with lengths of 400 feet in the east and west and about 640 feet in the north and south. The inner corridors, closer to the sanctum, are interconnected and have diminishing lengths on all sides. Despite being constructed over different periods, the corridors and pillars maintain consistent architectural features.
Additional Shrines and Halls - The temple complex includes separate shrines for Ramanathaswamy and his consort goddess Parvathavarthini, as well as shrines for goddess Vishalakshi, the utsava images, sayanagriha, Vishnu, and Ganesha. The samadhi of the great Yogi Patanjali is also said to be located within the temple, with a dedicated shrine in his honor. Various halls inside the temple, such as Anuppu Mandapam, Sukravara Mandapam, Sethupathi Mandapam, Kalyana Mandapam, and Nandi Mandapam, serve different purposes and add to the temple's grandeur.
Conclusion
The Ramanatha Swamy Temple is an epitome of the architectural brilliance and historical significance that define India's cultural heritage. The contributions of the Setupathy dynasty, combined with the temple's intricate design and sacred ambiance, make it a revered pilgrimage center and a marvel of South Indian architecture.
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