Rameshwaram is a major pilgrimage site located on the Pamban Island in the Gulf of Mannar. Located at the very tip of the Indian peninsula it is connected to mainland India by the Pamban Bridge. This is one of the most renowned pilgrim places in south India. This place is considered as the Varanasi of the South India. There is a traditional belief among the Hindus that a pilgrimage to Kashi will be complete only after a visit to Rameshwaram.
This place is deeply associated with the Indian mythology. According to Hindu mythology Rameshwaram is the spot where Lord Rama constructed the bridge known as Ram Setu to present day Sri Lanka to rescue his abducted wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. It is also here that Rama prayed to Lord Shiva after rescuing his wife Sita and killing the demon King Ravana. It is sacred for both Vaishanvaites and Saivaites. The religious island which is spread in an area of 61.8 square kms. happens to be in the shape of a conch.
Top Tourist Places to Visit Rameshwaram
Ramanathaswamy Temple
This temple is the most famous and thousands of pilgrims pour in daily. This temple is constructed in Dravidian-style and is known for its amazing sculpted pillars and long corridors, which are elaborately designed and carved. In fact this temple has the longest corridors among the all the temples in India. It is believed that the temple has been built on the site where lord Rama worshipped Shiva after his victory over demon king Ravana to expiate the sin of killing the demon king. Within the main sanctum is the lingam created by Sita and on the right is the Vishwa-lingam that was brought by Hanuman and which is worshipped first everyday even to this day. This temple is one of twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are twenty-two wells in the temple to represent the 22 arrows that Lord Rama always carried. Here the taste of the water of each well is different from the other.
Kothandaramaswamy temple, Dhanushkodi
Dhanushkodi is 8 km away from Rameshwaram and is the southernmost tip of the island. The Kothandaramaswamy temple here houses idols of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vibhishana who is brother of Ravana. It is believed that Ravana's brother Vibhishan surrendered to Lord Rama in this place. In 1964 this place was washed off because of the cyclone but the Kothandaramaswamy Temple survived and remained intact.
The Gandhamathana Parvatham
This is the highest point in Rameshwaram and the 2-storey temple houses the marble imprints of Lord Rama's foot on the chakra.
Uthirakosamangai
It is 72 Kms from Rameshwaram . There is an ancient Siva temple here and e the presiding deity is carved in Emerald.
Kurusadai Island
It lies to the west of Pamban Bridge. This place is a Marine Biosphere and is a place of delight for the marine biologists and nature lovers.
Erwadi
Erwadi is an important Muslim pilgrim spot. This place is famous for the tomb of The tomb of Sultan Ibrahim Syed Aulia.
Ramanathapuram
This is the district headqutaers. The place is famous for its magnificent Ramalingavilasam Palace of Sethupati Rajas.
Rameshwaram Setu
Located at a distance of 5km from Ranganathaswamy temple is the Rameshwaram Setu. This place is where the Lord Rama built the bridge across the sea to Sri Lanka to bring his wife back from the clutches of demon king Ravana in Sri Lanka.
There are many other places worth visiting like Lakshman Theertham, Sita Kund, Floating stones, Sugreevar theertham. The beaches around Rameshwaram also attract many tourists. There are some beautiful beaches like Olaikuda, Dhanushkodi and Pamban. Rameshwaram has a unique and amazing marine eco system that attracts many marine biologists. The Olaikuda beach which is 1 km from the main temple is rich in coral reefs and attracts many visitors.
How to reach Rameshwaram
Madurai is the closest airport to Rameshwaram which is around 163 km away. Madurai is connected to many cities by air including Coimbatore, Chennai and Bangalore. Rameshwaram (Mandapan station just 2 km away) is well connected by rail to cities of Tamilnadu like Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Coimbatore, Thanjavur and other major cities. Madurai Junction is another big station situated at a distance of 151 km. Rameshwaram is well-connected by a vast network of roads to all major cities of Tamil Nadu. Several buses ply between Rameshwaram and Madurai, Kanyakumari, Trichy and Chennai.
Where To Stay In Rameshwaram
Plenty of accommodation options are available in Rameshwaram. There are many hotels which provide comfortable accommodation to tourists ranging from luxury and mid-price to budget hotels.