Sri Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Ramanathapuram.

 Kothandaramaswamy Temple Ramanathapuram. The Kothandaramaswamy Temple at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu is a shrine dedicated to the Hindu deity Rama. Located at a distance of 13 kilometres from Rameswaram, it forms the southernmost tip of the island. The temple is the only historical structure to survive the 1964 cyclone that washed away Dhanushkodi. The temple has the deities of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Hanuman and Vibhishana. The temple is surrounded by sea and remains a tourist attraction. It is easily accessible from Rameswaram.

Lord Sri Rama graces the devotees from the sanctum sanctorum with Mother Sita and Sri Lakshmana with His bow Kodanda. As Lord appears with the bow, He is praised as Kodandaramar and the place Kodandam. It is suggested that those who want to be away from the wicked, desirous of following a righteous life and expecting promotions in job may pray to Lord in the temple.

The temple is situated in an island surrounded by Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mannar. Lord Sri Rama with Mother Sita and Sri Lakshmana appears gracefully with his celebrated Kodandam bow. Sri Anjaneya is nearby praised as Anjaneya the Supporter. When Vibishana came to Rama after breaking his relationship with his brother Ravana, the monkey army did not agree to accept Vibishana as they suspected his sincerity. But Sri Anjaneya recommended Vibishana’s case explaining that he had personally observed his activities in Lanka and found him good in all aspects and that he deserved to be accepted by the Lord. Hence, He is called Anjaneya the Supporter. It is believed that he takes the just prayers of the devotees to Lord Rama and helps them achieving their desires.




Traditionally, we see Sri Anjaneya in a worshipping form near Lord. In this temple Vibishana is awarded with this right. It is also noteworthy that Vibishana was offered the ‘Azhwar’ title as he was accepted by Lord. In this small temple, Garuda Bhagwan and Acharya Sri Ramanuja have their shrines. Those seeking leadership position through proper ways and to be away from the wicked pray here. Lord helps them. This is the philosophy behind the coronation of Vibishana.






Vibishana took all the efforts to persuade his brother Ravana to return Mother Sita to Rama whom he abducted in a cowardly way. Not only Ravana disagreed with Vibishana’s advice but heavily came down on him to hit him with his legs. Leaving his incorrigible brother for good, and came to Rameswaram where Lord Rama was camping then and sought asylum. As a tribute to his impeccable qualities, Lord Rama crowned him the king of Lanka even before Ravana was killed in the battle. Remembering this event, the temple is built in this island. It is also said that after the slaying of Ravana, Rama performed the "Pattabhishekam" (ascension to king of Lanka) for Vibhishana at this place. The story is depicted in painting across the walls inside the shrine.

Swami Vivekananda is said to have visited the place after his historic trip to Chicago.

Special pujas are performed on the last Purattasi Saturday in September-October. Vibishana Pattabishekam-coronation is celebrated in the month of Aani-June-July.

Lord Rama came to this place on his way to Lanka. But, on his return from Lanka He took the sky route and didn't come here since he was travelling in Pushpaka Vimanam. The same is said in Valmiki Ramayana and Kamba Ramayana.