Rameswaram is an island situated in the Gulf of Manner at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. It is connected to the mainland at Mandapam by rail and by Indira Gandhi Bridge, one of the engineering wonders of India opened by Rajeev Gandhi in 1988. Lying to the eastern side of the island, its nearness to Sri Lanka demands high security due to the conflict between a Tamil separatist movement and the government.

Rameswaram bears great religious importance for the Indians, being the place where Lord Rama built a bridge across the sea to rescue his wife Sita from Ravana. Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here to purify himself of the sin of killing Ravana. Both Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage which is known as the Varanasi the south.

Legend
When Sri Rama reached Rameshwaram from Sri Lanka he sent Hanuman to Mount Kailas to bring a Lingam for worship. The auspicious time for the pooja was nearing and Hanuman had not reached. So Mata Sita molded a lingam from the sand and prayers are offered. When Hanuman returned late with the lingam, he was distressed. But Rama installed the Hanuman lingam a little to the north of the temple and given all rituals and worship.