Rameswaram is a town on Pamban Island, in the southern state of TamilNadu, India. The Mannar Island in Sri Lanka is about 1,403 km away from Rameshwaram.. It’s known for the Ramanathaswamy Temple, an important Hindu pilgrimage site considered one of the 4 Dhams besides Jagannath Puri, Dwarka and Kedarnath, the four sacred abodes associated with incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The temple is known for its ornate corridors, huge sculpted pillars and sacred water tanks.
Rameshwaram Temple is renowned for being a part of one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (lingam of light) of Lord Shiva in India. The temple is also famous for the fact that it’s the southernmost jyotirlinga’ of India which makes it one of the top religious places in India. The temple in its current structure was built during the 12th century by Pandya Dynasty. It is also believed that Rameshwaram was the place that Lord Rama decided to atone for his sins. He was keen to seek penance after having killed the Brahmin king, Ravana..
The Rameshwaram temple has the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India. Devotees bathe in the waters of Agni Theertham, off the beach east of the temple. Gandamadana Parvatham is a hill with island views. A chakra (wheel) here is said to bear an imprint of Lord Rama’s feet. Rameshwaram has played an important role in the history of India, especially, when trade with other countries was involved. The island was a stop-gap point for those traveling to Sri Lanka.
Rameswaram is the closest point from which to reach Sri Lanka from India, and geological evidence suggests that the Rama Sethu was a former land connection between India and Sri Lanka. Being a pilgrimage town, the majority of the population is involved in tourism related industry consisting of trade and services. The town is connected by Pamban Bridge, a cantilever bridge on the Palk Strait that connects Rameswaram to mainland India. The railway bridge is 6,776 ft long and was opened to railway and road traffic in 1914. The railroad bridge is a double-leaf bascule bridge section that can be raised to let ships pass under it. There are sixty-four Tīrthas or Theerthams (holy water bodies) in and around Rameswaram.
Bathing in these tanks is a major aspect of the pilgrimage to Rameswaram and is considered equivalent to penance. Twenty-two of the tanks are within the Ramanathaswamy Temple. the best time to visit Rameshwaram will be from October to April. Besides the temple other places worth visiting include Jada Tirtham, Dhanushkodi Temple and beach, Thiruppullani: temple, Sugreevar Temple, Badrakaliamman Temple, Gandhamadhana Parvatham, Five Faced Hanuman Temple, Adam’s Bridge, Nambu Nayagiamman Temple, Ariyaman Beach, Kothandaramaswamy Temple, Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge, Lakshmana Tirtham, Villoondi Tirtham, Jatayu Tirtham Temple, and Thiruppullani.
The town is a birdwatchers paradise there is Water Bird Sanctuary and Arichamunai Bird Sanctuary numerous bird species including migratory ones can be found here.. Also worth visiting are Kalam National Memorial and Kunthu Kal Beach. Tourist can visit Sea World Aquarium, home to a wide variety of marine life including turtles fish, manta ray stingray and more. Every year Hindus from all parts of the world visit the holy place in order to gain moksha or salvation. Rameshwaram has a well-connected railway station as well as a good network of roads. The airport closest to the city is Madurai.
Adventures seekers can go on kayaking, motorboat tour, paragliding, and surfing in the town The town is famous for being home of former President APJ Abdul Kalam. The Tourist interested in shopping can buy handcrafted things made out of Sea shell, bangles and ornaments made out of conches and sea shells, and numerous other items from shops and roadside stall. There are numerous hotels, lodges, and guesthouse that provide accommodation. The restaurants provide traditional Tamil cuisine to at reasonable prices. Overall a visit to Rameshwaram is a great experience for the devout.
