Shri Ramanathaswamy Temple has one of the twelve Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva in the temple. During the Pandya Dynasty in the 12th Century, the temple has been expanded by them. The longest corridor of the temple is 6.9 meter in height and stretches 400 feet length to the West and likewise to the East and 640 feet stretch towards North and South direction. The corridor is held by about 1,212 Pillars, in which each pillar measures of height 30 feet with compositions carved over each pillar.

It is believed that the Shiva Lingam was established and worshipped by Lord Rama. After defeating Ravana in Sri Lanka and returning back to India with Sita, Rama established the Lingam to worship and absolve the sins committed by him during the war between Rama and Ravana in Sri Lanka to free her wife Sita. However, it is believed that Rama wanted a big Lingam to worship Shiva, so he sent Hanuman to get it for him from Mount Kailasa. But after a while, he realized that it is taking a lot of time. So, he requested Sita to make Lingam for him to Worship with mud and sand. Meanwhile, Hanuman returned with the Lingam from Mount Kailasa and was deeply hurt after seeing another lingam present there and Rama worshiping it.

Whereas, Rama convinced Hanuman that he worship the lingam first which he gets for him. Therefore, the temple has two lingams, the ‘Vishwalingam’ is preferred to worship before to this day as well. The temple also has 22 theerthams i.e. tanks or well, where the devotees have to take bath at each theertham before paying respect to the residing deity. The temple is also a home of ‘Saptika Lingam’ and is believed to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas present all over the country in India.