Why in News? 

The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of a four-lane road from Paramakudi to Ramanathapuram at a cost of ₹1,853 crore. This move aims to boost religious tourism and improve connectivity to important pilgrimage sites like the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi from Madurai.

Ramanathaswamy Temple  

• Situated on Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu. 
• One of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. 
• Part of the Char Dham pilgrimage in Hinduism. 
  

Ramanathaswamy Temple  

Mythological Significance 

• Lord Rama, after defeating Ravana, prayed to Lord Shiva at Rameswaram to seek forgiveness for killing a Brahmin (Brahmahatya). 
• Hanuman was sent to fetch a Lingam from the Himalayas, but due to delay, Sita made a sand Lingam, now called Ramalingam. 
• The Lingam brought by Hanuman is known as Vishvalingam, and both are worshipped in the temple. 

Historical Background 

• Major expansion during the 12th century by the Pandya Dynasty. 
• Renovated by Jeyaveera and Gunaveera Cinkaiariyan (Jaffna rulers) in the 17th century. 

Architectural Features 

• Enclosed by high compound walls with Gopurams (towers) on all sides. 
• Known for its long corridors – among the longest in the world. 
• Houses shrines of Ramanathaswamy, Parvathavardhini, Vishalakshi, etc. 
• Unique structures include Chokkattan Mandapam and the eastern Gopuram. 

Sacred Water Bodies 

• Agni Theertham: Sacred seashore linked to rituals.
  
• 64 Tirthas around Rameswaram: Pilgrims bathe here for spiritual purification. 

Recent Recognition 

• Awarded the UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit (2017) for cultural heritage conservation.