Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram – Chokkattan
Mandapam
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
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.
This
mandapam is located in the west part of the third corridor, near Sethu Maadhavar
theertham. The place where the west side of the third corridor joins with the
west entrance path of the temple seems like a “cross mark” (X) on the roof. There
is an ancient game called Chokkattan using this “cross mark “symbol, hence this
place remembers the “Chokkattan game” it is named as Chokkattan mandapam.
Pilgrims
can view the temple Gopurams and Ramanathaswamy vimana by standing near Chokkattan
mandapam. The Chokkattan Mandapam and the domes were restored from
ruins by Pradani Muthirulappa Pillai.
