Theerthams in Rameswaram

The sacred land of Rameswaram, located at the tip of the Indian Peninsula is an illustrious temple town of the southern state of Tamil Nadu. One of the most visited towns in the state, Rameswaram is one among the Char Dham sites and the home of one of the twelve jyotirlinga shrines in India and one of the two Jyotirlinga shrines in South India, that is, the Ramanathaswamy Temple (the other jyotirlinga shrine being Srisailam Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple).


Every millimeter of Rameswaram is associated with the ancient Indian epic Ramayana is in some manner and the town is typically regarded as a land of Lord Rama. As a matter of fact, Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, is believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here in Rameswaram. Hence, Rameswaram is a singular holy site that demonstrates the coalescing of Shaivism and Vaisnava Dharma and is therefore venerated by both Vaishnavas and Shaivas alike.

Being an important pilgrimage place, Rameswaram receives hundreds of thousands national and international visitors throughout the year, regardless of seasons. What is more, Rameswaram comprises of sixty-four theerthams in and around on the island. The largest Mahapurana, that is, the Skanda Purana names twenty-four of them are significant. Having a holy dip in these theerthams is regarded as a crucial aspect of the Rameswaram pilgrimage and is believed equivalent to thavam (penance).

It is important to mention that among the twenty-four important theerthams, twenty-two can be found inside the corridor of the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The number twenty-two denotes the twenty-two arrows in the quiver of Lord Rama. The first and the most important theertham is called as Agni Theertham, which is the serene shallow water of the Bay of Bengal, close to the Ramanathaswamy temple. Let's get to know more about the important theerthams (in right order) along with their location and significance.

Mahalakshmi Theertham

The first theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. Located south of the Shri Anjaneyar shrine, the Mahalakshmi Theertham is where Dharmaraja had a holy bath and became wealthy. Devotees believe that taking a holy bath here in this theertham will help them to get the blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi, to build wealth and to free themselves from the sins.

Savithri Theertham, Gayathri Theertham and Saraswathi Theertham

The second, third and the fourth theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Savithri Theertham, Gayathri Theertham and Saraswathi Theertham, all three of them are located west of the Shri Anjaneyar shrine and the holy waters from these sacred wells helped King Kasibar to do away with his curse. Devotees believe that taking holy bath in these wells will help them to get rid of doshas and saabham.

Sethu Madhava Theertham

The fifth theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Sethu Madhava Theertham is the holy tank (teppakulam) that is located in the third corridor of the temple. The temple tank looks beautiful that is is dotted with lily flowers all over, a divine prospect indeed! Devotees take bath here to get the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and for purification of heart.

Gandhamadana Theertham

The sixth theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Gandhamadana Theertham is located quite close to the Sethumadhava Perumal Shrine. Devotees take holy bath in this well to get ishwaryam, remotion of impoverishment and purifying themselves from sins.

Kavatcha Theertham

The seventh theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Kavatcha Theertham (also spelled as Gavatcha Theertham/Swatcha Theertham) is located near the Sethumadhava Perumal Shrine. Devotees bath in this holy well to not to go to hell after life.

Gavaya Theertham

The eighth theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Gavaya Theertham is located near the Sethumadhava Perumal Shrine. Devotees believe that taking a bath in this holy well will ensure them a shelter under the Kalpavriksha - a wish-fulfilling sacred tree mentioned in Hindu mythology.

Nala Theertham

The ninth theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Nala Theertham is located near the Sethumadhava Perumal Shrine. Devotees believe that taking a bath in this holy well will help them to get surya tejas and to get a place in heaven.

Neela Theertham

The tenth theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Neela Theertham is located near the Sethumadhava Perumal Shrine. Devotees believe that taking a bath in this holy well get them the welfare of samastha yaga and obtain Agni Yoga.

Sanku Theertham

The eleventh theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Sanku Theertham, also spelled as Chanku Theertham is located in the inner praharam (corridor). This is the theertham where Sage Vatsanabha got cleared of his sin of forgetting a timely help of someone. Devotees take bath here to get rid of sins of being ungrateful to other and to become a person with great ambition, imagination or foresight when thinking about the future.

Chakra Theertham

The twelfth theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Chakra Theertham, also spelled as Sakkara Theertham is located in the inner praharam (corridor). This is the well where Surya (Sun) got the golden hand. Devotees believe that taking a bath in this well will get them good health.

Brahmahathi Vimochana Theertham

The thirteenth theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Brahmahathi Vimochana Theertham is located in the inner praharam (corridor). This is the holy well where Brahmahathi was cleared of his sins.

Soorya Theertham and Chandra Theertham

The fourteenth and fifteenth theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Soorya Theertham and the Chandra Theertham, both are located in the inner praharam (corridor). Devotees believe that taking bath in these holy wells will get them the knowledge of the past times, present and the time to come and help them to get with the times they desire, that is, Thrikala gnanam and Thrikasi gnanam.

Ganga Theertham, Yamuna Theertham and Gaya Thertham

The fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Ganga Theertham, Yamuna Theertham and Gaya Thertham are located in the inner praharam (corridor). These are the theerthams where Gananasuruthi Rajah gained wisdom.

Siva Theertham

The nineteenth theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Siva Theertham is located in the inner praharam (corridor). This is the holy well where Bhairav got rid of the Brahmmaharthi dhosham. Devotees believe that taking a bath in this well will get rid of the sins of speaking against Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva.

Sathyamirtha Theertham

The twentieth theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Sathyamirtha Theertham, also spelled as Sadyamirtha Theertham is located in the inner praharam (corridor). This is the holy well where Puhurunu Chakravarthy (Emperor Bururoonu) did away with his curse. Devotees believe that taking a bath in this holy well will help them to get rid of various sins.

Sarva Theertham

The twenty-first theertham among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Sarva Theertham is located in the inner praharam (corridor). This is the holy well where Sutharishna (Sudharsanar) did away with his blindness and unwellness. Devotees believe that taking a bath in this holy well will help them to get merits of holy bathing in all theerthams and those in all fourteen worlds, to get all Purusharthas and to get the blessings of Arulmigu Ramanatha Swamy of Rameswaram.

Kodi Theertham

Regarded as the most sacred theertham of all, the Kodi Theertham is the last among the twenty-two theerthams found inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. The Kodi Theertham is located in the inner praharam (corridor). This is the holy well where Lord Krishna got rid of the sin of killing Kamsa as a part of his lila. This is the place where Rama placed the tip of his arrow to the earth to bring forth water for the abisheka of Shiva Linga.

Other Popular Theerthams in Rameswaram

Apart from the twenty-two theerthams located inside the corridor of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, there are a few other important theerthams that are outside of the temple complex.

Agni Theertham

One of the most visited theerthams of Rameswaram, the Agni Theertham is the beach located east of the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple. Childless couples have a holy dip in this theertham and offer prayers to Lord Shiva at the temple to be blessed with children. The beach is thronged by devotees during full moon and new moon days, which are considered as auspicious days for a holy dip.

Jada Theertham

Located just 5 km away from the temple town of Rameswarm, Jada Theertham is found on the way to the ghost town of Dhanushkodi. Lord Rama is believed to have washed his Jada (long hair) in this blessed spot. Devotees believe that taking a holy dip here will help them to not get struck by impoverishment and sins, and so on.

Lakshman Theertham

Located very near to the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, the Lakshman Theertham is a teppakulam (temple tank) that is massive and serene. Devotees believe that Balarama, an incarnation of the god Vishnu got rid of his Brahmahathi dosha here. A temple dedicated to Lord Siva can be found at one end of this teppakulam.

Seetha Theertham

Yet another theertham that is located very close to the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, the Seetha Theertham is where Dharmarajan got rid of the sin of deliberate acting of deviating from the truth.

Rama Theertham

A typical teppakulam just like the Lakshman Theertham, the Rama Theertham  is acknowledged for its significance of Dharmarajan who got cleansed of his sin of deliberate acting of deviating from the truth.


The miraculous floating stones can be witnessed here in this spot.

Villoondi Theertham

Another enigma of Rameswaram that Villoondi Theertham is the spot where Lord Rama hit his bow to acquire water to allay the thirst of Sita. The Villoondi Theertham is actually a tiny well that is located about 30 meters from the land, connected with a modest paseo to it. Nothing other than the blessings of Lord Rama that the water from this holy well has no trace of salt and is highly potable.

Note: It usually takes around a maximum of two hours to complete taking bath in all the twenty-two holy wells inside the Rameswaram Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple.


Visitors can change into dry clothes once for all after completing twenty-two snanas. After completing all the twenty-two baths, devotees generally donate their wet clothes to hapless. It is important to mention that all the twenty-two holy wells are freshwater wells. Devotees have an option of hiring a guide to visit the wells in the right order.

Also Read:
Temples in Rameswaram
Churches in Rameswaram
Hill Stations near Rameswaram
Things to do in Rameswaram
Tourist Places in Rameswaram
Krusadai Island
Pamban Bridge
One Day Trip in Rameswaram