Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram –
Second Corridor (Second Prakaram)
The
second corridor is at present undergone renovation process, there are 108 Shiva
Lingas, Maha Ganapathi statue situated here. The second corridor is formed by
sandstone pillars, beams and ceiling. The junction of the third corridor on the
west and the paved way leading from the western gopuram to Setumadhava shrine
forms a unique structure in the form of a chess board and it is popularly known
as Chokkattan Mandapam where the Utsava deities are adorned and kept during
the Vasantotsavam (Spring festival) and on the 6th day festival in
Adi (July–August) and Masi (February–March) conducted by the Sethupathi
of Ramnad.
During
the construction of first corridor, it was decided to renovate the second
corridor. The lime stone structure in Second corridor was dismantled and
started with granite stone work. But only compound wall in west side and one
portion in north side of western wing in south gate was renovated. After that
no Renovation works has been done.
Therefore,
it was proposed to complete the Renovation work of Second Corridor by
collecting funds from the public. During
1961 to 1985, the Renovation work of Second Corridor was taken up and the
western side of Second Corridor and a portion in North and South side was
completed from the Temple Renovation Fund. Now it has been proposed to complete
the Renovation of Second Corridor which has been unfinished and the Renovation
work is started now.
The Sedhupathy
mandapam in front of the Temple’s Raja Gopuram (9 Tier) was constructed by
Ramanatha Sedhupathy, a descendant of Ramnad Raja dynasty, with his own
donation of Rs. 2,75,000 /-. This construction was started on 19-11-69 and
completed on 11-2-74.
It is
also most essential to construct the North and South Gopurams. Shri Jagadguru
Sringeri Peetathipathi and Shri Jagadguru Kanchi Kamakoti Peetathipathi have
given their kind blessings for the constructions of the North and South
Gopurams of the Temple.
The
second corridor is 352 feet on east to west direction and 244 feet on
south to North with a width is 16 feet. Sannadhi for Vinayagar, Madapalli,
Karuvoolam, Theerthams are located in this prakaram. Setumadhava Sannadhi is located
between 2nd and 3rd corridors. The Sannadhi has
Karuvarai, Ardhamandapam, Mahamandapam & Vimanam. Vishnu Sannadhi is
located on the North east direction of this prakaram. Setumadhava Sannadhi and
Vishnu Sannadhi have an entrance of Shobana type.