Our Rameswaram Pilgrimage: Teertha Snanams and Darshan

Our Experience: Early Morning Sphatikalinga Darshan at Rameswaram Temple

On 19th April 2026, we (myself, my husband and daughter) experienced one of the most memorable spiritual journeys of our lives - 'the early morning 'Sphatikalinga Darshan' at Sri Ramanatha Swamy temple, Rameswaram.

It was dark all around, when we had bath in the hotel room and started for early morning Sphatikalinga Darshan. We took an auto-richshaw from Hotel Rameswaram Grand to the South Gopuram of the temple carrying a pair of clothes with us for changing after the sacred Teertha snanams (also known as Theertha Snan).

The temple surrounding was lively with pilgrims moving around. I saw some devotees returning in wet clothes from Agni Teertha Snanam. Most of the devotees first have Agniteertha Snanam and then go for Sphatikalinga Darshan.

East Gopuram / Entrance of Rameswaram Temple

By the time we reached the East Gopuram at 4.20 a.m, there was already a big queue at Entry Point. Mobiles and cameras are strictly not allowed inside the temple for Sphatikalinga Darshan. Devotees in the queue can deposit their mobiles at the counter just opposite the East Gopuram.

Many devotees in the queue were enquiring about Sphatikalinga Darshan ticket counter. On inquiry, we came to know that tickets are sold inside the temple premises near the sanctorum. There is no advance booking of the tickets. The queue was long, yet it moved fast silently. As we were nearing the santorum, we took tickets which costed Rs.50/- per person.

We then moved silently chanting Siva Panchakshari (Om Namah Shivaya). And the moment we stepped into the sanctorum, we went into a trance for a moment on having the very first sight of the enchanting Sphatikalingam. We completely forgot the surroundings and the materialistic world for a while. Our minds fully focussed on the Divine Sphatikalingam that was glowing in the deepam lights.

The Sphatikalingam that was placed in the middle with two oil-lit lamps behind and two one either side, looked crystal clear. We truly felt the Divine blessings of Sri Ramanatha Swamy and moved forward. It was a Sunday and queue was too long. However, by the grace of Sri Ramanatha Swamy, we had a wonderful and satisfying darshan that filled our hearts with devotion.

After Sphatikalinga Darshan we spent some time at the North Gopuram listening to the reverberating morning mantras. A divine and fresh feeling crept within us energising our body and mind. We took few pics and walked towards Agniteertham which is situated in front of the East Gopuram of the temple.

📌 Rameswaram Sphatikalinga Darshan Information:

• Also Known as: Mani Darshan
• Ticket Price: ₹50 per person (Counter booking and online booking)
• Darshan Timing: Daily 5:00 a.m to 6:00 a.m
• Entry Point:East Gopuram (Gate)
• Mobiles phones and Cameras: Not allowed. Mobile deposit counter just opposite the East Gopuram.
• Important Rule: Neat and clean traditional dress. Darshan with wet clothes after Agniteertha snanam is strictly not allowed inside the sanctum.

What is Sphatikalingam

Sphatika (also spelled as Sphatikam) is a naturally occuring quartz mineral stone that is glass-like, transparent, crystal clear and very shiny.

The Sphatikalingam at Rameswaram temple was originally in Sringeri Matham (or Math. It was worshipped by Jagadguru Sri Adi Sankaracharya. In 2021, on request by the authorities of Sri Ramanatha Swamy temple, the Sphatikalingam was handed over to the temple authorities by the Sringeri Matham. From then onwards, daily pujas and abhishekams are performed to the Sphatikalingam in the Garbha Griha and is open for darshan.

Made of pure crystal, the Sphatikalingam symbolizes purity, divine energy and spiritual enlightenment. During the early morning ritual, the lingam is worshipped with sacred chants and abhishekam. Sphatikalinga darshan purifies the mind and gives inner peace. Truly, we experienced inner peace after the Sphatikalinga Darshan.

Experiencing Agniteertha Snanam at Sunrise

Entrance of Agniteertham, Rameswaram

After a blissful Sphatikalinga Darshan, we walked to Agniteertham located opposite to East Gopuram. The place was heavily crowded and the surroundings are not so clean.

Pilgrims are showing much interest in rituals and sacred dip in the Teertham and not bothered about maintaining the sanctity of the place. That was a bit digusting. There is no proper maintenance of the place. Many devotees are polluting the sea waters by throwing all kinds of trash into the sea including Darbha (grass), black sesame (til) and other tarpanam items used for their ancestral rituals on the seashore.

'Sacred teerthams deserve reverence and preserving their is also a devotion'.

We could hardly find a better place at Agniteertham for a sacred dip. So, I tightly held my husband's hand and precariously stepped into the shallow waters. Many pilgrims were going deep into the sea but I couldn't dare. The moment we took our first sacred dip and raised, we felt blessed at the wonderful view of sun rising from the seawater.

Sunrise from Sea at Agniteertham

We did Namaskaram to Surya Bhagawan and we chanted Navagraha Stotram followed by Aditya Hrudayam. While chanting, we just admired the golden rays spread across the waters. The devotees shouted and in joy watching sunrise from the Bay of Bengal. Standing in the sacred Agniteertham waters and having the beautiful view of Sunrise over the sea created an unforgettable spiritual experience.

Agniteertham is the most sacred of all the teerthams in Rameswaram. Pilgrims take sacred bath in Agniteertham to wash away their sins and purify themselves. As per tradition, devotees first take bath in Agni teertham and then proceed to the 22 theertha snanams inside the temple.

📌 22 Teertha Snanam: Essential Information

• Temple Ticket Price: ₹25 per person (Counter and online booking). Sprinkle water on the head from the 22 teerthams
• Authorised Private Person Charges: ₹500 per person (on the spot engaging). Pour small bucket full of water on the head from the 22 teerthams
• Timings: Daily 6:00 a.m onwards.
• Locker Facilities: Clock rooms/lockers are available near the temple entrance to securely store dry clothes, phones, and bags.
• Changing Rooms: Open-corridor changing enclosures are available near the final well. Bringing a companion (specially for women) to help manage your dry outfits is highly recommended.

The Sacred 22 Teertha Snanam: A Refreshing Divine Experience

From Agniteertham, we walked to the temple for the famous 22 Teertham Snanams in clothes dripping with water. We booked online tickets for 22 Teertha Snanam at Rs.25/- per person. But seeing the heavy rush in the queue we engaged an authorised private person who charged Rs.500/- per person for pouring one small bucketful of water on each one of us from each of the 22 teerthams.

It was a Sunday and there was heavy crowd at the 22 teerthams. The person whom we engaged walked along the corridors in the temple premises and we followed him. He drew water from the teertham and poured bucketful of water on each of us in turns, first my husband and myself behind him and our daughter behind me.

Finally we had the wonderful experience of having sacred snanam in the 22 teerthams. And all the while our minds fully focused of Sri Ramanatha Swamy and lips automatically chanting 'Om Namah Sivaya'. These teerthams are actually wells except one teertham which is a Pushkarini (a temple tank).

Though walked on the slippery stones managing the crowd and the continuous pouring of sacred teertham water was physically exhausting, it was spiritually energising. We were so immersed that we couldn't even make out the difference in the taste and temerature of water in different wells.

This was one of the most spiritually refreshing and memorabe experiences of our pilgrimage. Fully drenched, we walked to the place where pilgrims were changing the clothes. We managed to find a place behind a small shrine and changed our clothes.

After resting for a while we walked for the special darshan for which we booked tickets online. We were blessed to have Jyotirlinga darshan, the second time. With our minds physically refreshed and spiritually recharged, we were back to our hotel room.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Sphatikalinga Darshan at Rameswaram?
   Sphatikalinga Darshan also known as Mani Darshan is early morning, 5 a.m to 6 a.m darshan of the Sphatikalingam (crystal lingam) in the temple.
2. Is there a dress code for Sphatikalinga darshan and teertha snanams?
   Yes, there is dress code. Men must wear dhoti and upper wear. Women must wear sari or salwar kameez. Wester outfits are strictly not allowed.
3. Can we book tickets only for Sphatikalinga darshan and teertha snanams?
   Yes
4. What is Agniteertha snanam?
   The sacred seashore located opposite the East Gopuram of Rameswaram temple is called Agniteertham. Agniteertha snanam is a sacred dip or bath in this teertham.
5. Should we have Sphatikalinga darshan only after having Agniteertha snanam?
   It is a good practice to have Agniteertha snanam and then go for Sphatikalinga darshan. However it is not mandatory. It depends on one's personal choice and convenience.
6. Can we have Jyotirlinga darshan with wet clothes after 22 teertha snanam?
   Strictly not allowed. You should change clothes and then go for darshan.

My Final Thoughts

Our pilgrim place are filled with centuries of faith and devotion. Every visit to an ancient Hindu temple brings peace to the mind, purity to the soul and devotion to the heart. Our pilgrimage to Rameswaram on 19th April 2025 with the divine Jyotirlinga and Sphatikalinga Darshan, sacred Agniteertha Snanam at sunrise and the refreshing 22 teertha snanam are wrapped in devotion and spiritually uplifting.

A Family Travel Story by Sobha Kalyani Chivukula