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The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Gnanasambandar. This is the 77th Shiva temple on the southern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

Sage Agasthya appears worshipping Lord Kasi Bhairava in the prakara. It is said that this Bhairava was installed by Sage Agasthya. It is noteworthy that Tirukannapuram temple of Lord Sowriraja Perumal, one of the 108 Divya Desas is a little away from this temple. Thus the devotees have the double choice of worshipping both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu conveniently at the same time.

A king ruling this region then, prayed to Lord Shiva for child boon and performed a yajna. Through His voice, Lord assured the king that Ambica would be his daughter. When the king set out on hunting, he found four female children, brought up them as his own daughters. They were Shiva devotees by their very nature. When they attained age, king begged Lord to marry them. Lord was happy to grant king?s wish. They are the Ambicas in four places ? Sarivar Kuzhali in this temple, Vaaitha Tirukuzshal Nayaki in Tiruchengattangudi, Karundhar Kuzhali in Tirupugalur and Vandar Kuzhali in Tirumarugal.

They also bear the common name Shoolikambal as they helped a poor pregnant woman deliver her child during absence of her mother who was stuck at the other bank of the river due to heavy floods. Shool or Karu in Tamil means pregnancy.

Karu Katha Ambica is other name of the Mother in the temple.

As Ambicas returned late, they could not enter the temple. Mother shrines are outside temples in these four places. During the Arthajama pujas (final night pujas) samba rice with pepper, seeragam, salt and ghee is offered as nivedhana, a diet prescribed for mothers after delivery.

Lord Somaskanda has a special significance in the temple. The idol shows Ambica pulling the Nandhi to a side to enable Lord Sri Rama worship Lord Shiva. As special pujas are performed in Lord Sri Rama temples on Punarvasu Star days (Punarvasu is Sri Rama?s birth star), this puja is performed to Lord Shiva too on this day as Rama worshipped Shiva here. It is the belief even now that Sri Rama performs the evening puja to Shiva daily here. Devotees consider this darshan very important.

Lord Subramania blesses from a separate shrine with a flower on His left hand and blessing devotees by the right. In Tiruchendur Lord Muruga holds the flower in His right hand. Lord Muruga graces devotees with His consorts Valli and Deivanai. As Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here, the place is named Ramanatheeswaram. As Nandhi hid the Lord, the place is also named Rama Nandeeswaram. During the Aarati to Lord Shiva we may notice a Jyoti light on the Linga.

Lord Sri Rama had to kill Ravana and his army to rescue Mother Sita from his captivity. To relieve Himself from the doshas he incurred, He worshipped Lord Shiva in Rameswaram and proceeded to Ayodhya. On the way, He found a Shiva Linga under a Shenbaga tree and was ready to perform a puja. Nandhi the bull vehicle of Shiva took Rama as an ordinary human and prevented Rama to go close to the Linga. Ambica pulled Nandhi and helped Rama to perform Shiva Puja. Rama was happy and returned to Ayodhya after the Shiva puja. Lord Shiva is praised here as Rama Natheswarar

Moolavar: Ramanathaswami, Ramanadeswarar, Ramalingeswarar

Urchavar:Somaskanda with Nandhi vahan

Amman / Thayar: Soodikaambal, KaruvaarkuzhaliAmmai, Sarivar Kuzhali

Thala Virutcham: Mahizham, Shenbagam

Theertham: Ramatheertham

Agamam / Pooja: Kameekam

Old year: 1000-2000 years old

Historical Name: Ramanatheeswaram

This sivasthalam temple is located 8 Kms from Nannilam railway station and about 1 Km from Tiruppugalur.

Lord of the temple is a swayambumurthy. It is noteworthy that a Jyothi will be visible on the Linga when abishek is performed.

Maha Shivrathri in February-March and Aipasi Annabishekam and Skanda Sashti in October-November are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Devotees pray seeking pardon for wrongs committed by them and for relief from adverse planetary aspects. They perform Rudra Homa for relief. Pregnant women pray to Mother Ambica for safe delivery.

Devotees perform abishek to Lord and Mother and offer vastras.

The temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.

The visitors are advised to contact the temple administration in advance.

Sri Ramanathaswami Temple, Ramanatheeswaram, Tirukannapuram-609 704, Tiruvarur District Contact Number - +91 4366 292 300, 291 257, 94431 13025

Do:

Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite Om Namahsivaya or your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:

Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.