Agnitheertham is the sacred beach immediately in front of Ramanathaswamy Temple, where pilgrims are expected to bathe before entering the temple. The bathing traditionally happens before dawn, when the beach is most crowded — a procession of pilgrims wading into the sea while priests stand at the water's edge performing rituals, all of it lit by temple lights and the early sky.
The beach itself is a narrow strip of coarse sand with the sea on one side and the towering eastern gopuram of the temple on the other. During festival periods the crowds are dense and the atmosphere intense. Outside major festivals, early mornings are quieter and the ritual has a more contemplative quality. The water here is the Bay of Bengal; the currents can be strong, particularly during monsoon months, and pilgrims are advised to stay close to the shore.