Located at a distance of 570 km from Tamil Nadu’s Capital Chennai, Rameswaram is a small island and holy place of South India in the Gulf of Mannar. Many prominent dynasties of South India ruled the place. The historical city finds its mention in Ramayana, the mythological Hindu epic. Rameswaram is one of the parts of Char Dham, and travellers across the world visit the place to explore its ancient temples and sacred ponds.
Believed to be established by Lord Rama himself, Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple is a classic example of Dravidian style architecture, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is among the Char Dham pilgrimages and boasts of its majestic corridors and massive sculptured pillars. Pandya kings expanded the site of the temple during the 12th Century. Famous for housing a collection of Lingas, the temple once had around 112 ponds. However, it is now left with 12 ponds.
At 12 kms from Rameswaram, the Kothandaramaswamy Temple in Dhanushkodi is believed to be the place where Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana, surrendered before Lord Rama. The temple has Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman as the prime deities, and its walls are decorated with beautiful paintings exhibiting the story of Ramayana.
The Panchamukhi or Five-Faced Hanuman Temple is a prime attraction of the city located at 2 kms from Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple. A huge image of Lord Hanuman with five faces, carved out of a large senthooram stone, is placed in the temple. The temple houses the ancient idols of Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman that were brought from Dhanushkodi during the 1964 cyclone. Tourists visiting the temple will also find the floating stones that were used to build the bridge between India and Lanka.
The sea of Agnitheertham is just 100 metres from Sri Ramanathaswamy temple. According to a popular belief, taking a holy dip in the sea rids one’s all sins. Many holistic rituals are performed on the shore of this calm sea.
Also known as Sethukarai and Rama Setu, the historic Adam’s Bridge is believed to be built by Lord Rama and his entourage to reach Lanka. On the right shore of the sea, a temple for Sethu Bandhana Aanjaneya is situated where many rituals take place.
For bird watchers and ornithologists, Rameswaram is a paradise. Native as well as migratory birds can be spotted at the Water Bird Sanctuary. Between October and January, migratory birds from Europe and Australia flock here for breeding. Also, Arichamunal Bird Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi, Kanjirankulam and Chittirankudi sancturies in Ramanathapuram are popular attractions of Rameswaram.
Indulge yourself in shopping during your Rameswaram tour. There are shops and emporiums near the temple which deal in handicraft items, shells, beads, khadi products and palm leaf articles.
By Air: Madurai Airport is 175 km from Rameswaram with regular flights to Chennai, Trichy, Bengaluru and Mumbai. From the airport, cabs or taxis can be hired to reach Rameswaram.
By Rail: Regular trains from Rameswaram Railway Station connect it to all major cities of India.
By Road: Rameswaram has a good road network, which connects it to the cities of Tamil Nadu. One can take state-run as well as private buses, taxis and autos to reach here.
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