Sights to See Legend has it that Hanuman was sent by Lord Rama
to bring a Lingam to worship at an appointed auspicious hour. As
Hanuman's arrival was delayed, Sita moulded a Lingam out of sand
for Rama to worship at the correct hour. This Lingam is the main
deity worshipped as Ramanathaswamy. The disappointed Hanuman was
later consoled by Rama; the Lingam brought by him was installed
a little north of Ramanathaswamy Temple and it was decreed that
Hanuman's Lingam should have precedence over the Lingam made out
of sand by Sita in all honours and worship. Ramanathaswamy
Temple, situated close to the sea on the eastern side of the
Island, is known for its magnificent structure, long corridors
and aesthetically carved pillars lining it. The corridor is the
longest one in Asia at 197 m long on the East-West, 133 m in
length on the South-North. The entrance of the temple adorned
with a 38.4-m-high Gopuram (Tower). The temple was built by
rulers from different dynasties from the 12th century onwards.
The temple comp