Location
: In the Gulf of Munnar, Tamilnadu
Attractions
: Ramnath Swamy Temple, Gandhamadhana
Parvadham, Dhanushkodi
Ideal Time
to Visit : Throughout
the year
Rameshwaram
is an island situated on the
tip of the Indian peninsula.
The city is also an important
south India pilgrimage center
of the Indians. It is the place
from where Lord Rama had built
a bridge across the sea to rescue
his consort Sita.This is the
place where Rama worshipped
Lord Shiva to cleanse away the
sin of Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites
and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage
city.
Rameshwaram is significant
for the Hindus. The presiding
deity is the Linga Of Sri
Ranganatha, which happens
to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas
of India. Rameshwaram is popularly
referred as the 'Benaras of
the south'. In order to attain
Moksha it is believed that
a visit to Rameshwaram is
mandatory. In fact the entire
area of Rameshwaram is associated
with various incidents from
the Ramayana. The city of
Rameshwaram happens to be
one of the most visited pilgrim
sites in India.
The
places of visit include the
Ramanathaswamy Temple, which
was built in the 17th century
and is situated close to the
sea on the eastern side of
the island; this temple is
famous for its 1200 gigantic
granite columns. At a distance
of about 100 metres comes
the Agnitheertham, where Rama
worshipped Lord Shiva, to
absolve himself from the killing
Ravana.Another shrine called
Gandamadana Parvatham is worth
visiting. This shrine is found
at 2kms away from Rameshwaram.
A place called Dhanushkodi
named after Rama's bow is
at the eastern end of the
island at a distance of 8
kms from Rameshwaram.
Pamban
Bridge
Pamban bridge
is 3 kms long which connects
the island of Rameshwaram
Dhanuskodi to the mainland.
This is the longest bridge
in India and illustrates the
marvel of the engineers. The
bridge allowed meter gauge
trains to run over it since
1911. The Department of Railways
has planned to run broad guage
trains over it and the works
are going on. One can have
a beautiful view of the sea
while crossing through this
bridge.
Dhanuskodi
This is the easternmost tip
of Rameshwaram. Most of this
spot is occupied by the sea
during tropical cyclones.
On the way, the Kodandarama
temple exists. The nearby
places Tiruppullaani &
Devipatnam also have legends
associated with Ramayana.
Way
to Rameshwaram
By Air:
The holy land of Rameshwaram
is well connected to other
major cities of India. The
nearest airport is at Madurai,
about 163 kilometers away.
This connects you to all the
major cities of India. After
you get down, you can have
both public and private transport
to take you to Rameshwaram.
By
Train: Rameshwaram
is connected by rail with
Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore,
Trichy, Thanjavur and other
important cities. The two
kilometers stretch of Indira
Gandhi Bridge connects the
island of Rameshwaram to the
mainland of Mandapan.
By
Road: The city is well
connected to Madurai, Kanyakumari,
Chennai and Trichy. It is
also connected to Pondicherry
and Thanjavur via Madurai.
Local
Transportation: While
traveling within the township,
you may hire jeeps, auto rickshaws
and even cycle rickshaw.
