LOCATION Rameswaram is an island, which is connected with the main land of India by a long bridge. The holy island Rameswaram is situated at about 173 Kilometers away from Madurai, one of the Southern cities of Tamil Nadu, the South Indian state. This tiny island lies in the confluence of Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal in between India and Sri Lanka. CLIMATE Rameswaram enjoys moderate tropical climate. The average temperature is 33-38 degree Celsius in summer. As the island is abounded by the Ocean a windy climate is there hence the heat will not be highly affected. | |||||||||||
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PAST Rameswaram is called as the Varanasi of South. It is a major pilgrimage centre for Shivite and the Vaishnavite cults of Hinduism. Rameswaram is specified as an important center in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. Of course, it has a mythological origin and has a reputation of holding an important occasion in the story. As per the story, to regain his stolen wife, Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as the terrestrial king of Ayodhya, commenced his war at Rameswaram. To access Lanka, which is on the other side of sea, it had to create a stone bridge across the Gulf. Hanuman, the monkey god, the confirmed devotee of Rama extended his unique services for this Herculean task. Rameswaram, the very name implies the holy place of Rameswara. According to the belief, Rama had installed here the Iswara (god). The legendary sources says that the reason for which Rama installed Sivalinga, the popular idol of Lord Siva, was to fulfill the advices of Hindu hermits to escape from the sins Rama attained by killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. |
SITES TO VISIT
Ramanathaswamy temple is the most important temple at Rameswaram. As it has enshrined the deity of Lord Siva, Shivites are often visited. Constructed in the pure Dravidian style of Architecture a visit to the temple is worth full. The temple abounds more than one kilometre as its compound where the four marvelous corridors have beautifully carved sculptures. The peculiar belief of the temple is that the holy water of the divine water tanks inside the temple compound are offering magical powers to the visitors. As in the case of most of other Hindu temples, non-Hindus are not allowed inside the Sanctum Sanctorum. The temple guides plenty found here forces the visitors to offer pujas to the god. At the entrance of the temple one can find a gold-coated flag stem on which flags are being tied in festival season. The temple corridor one can visit here is the longest in India.
The temple ponds inside the temple corridor have their own significance in faith. The concept is that just before purifying the soul inside the temple, one can purify the body in these “theerthams” or holy ponds. Sethumadhava Theertham is meant to attain the blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi and to make purify the hearts of devotees. The significance of Kavatcha theertham is that one will never go to hell. Nalatheertham is meant for getting into the heaven. The faith behind the Surya theertham is that one will get the knowledge of the past, present and future and reach in the world they want. Ranavimosana theertham meant to get rid of all the debts. Jambavatheertham offers the longevity of life. The Kodi theertham is believe to be saved Lord Krishna himself from his sins of killing his uncle, Kamsa. Altogether there are as many as 23 theerthams can be found.
The Bridge of Adam is almost a connecting bridge in between India and Sri Lanka formed by sandbanks and small islands. The bridge has a story to tell. It is believed that the legendary monkey god Hanuman had laid the bridge.
Dhanushkodi is yet another site, which holds a legendary allusion by citing the prominence of the surrender of Vibhishana, the brother of Ravana, to Lord Rama as his confirmed devotee. This peninsula is also having abundance of fishermen. Dhanushkodi also has a relatively good beach that offers opportunities to enjoy the sun and surf.
The nearby islands are blessed with coral reefs. The local fisher folk are very much interested to provide ample arrangements to visit the same. Other maritime wonders are also possible here like sea cruising, angling etc.
SITES NEARBY
The eighteenth Century Ramalinga Palace is known for its mural paintings those illustrate the day today activities of the contemporary life. The walls are also holding some erotic paintings. The palace is situated on the way to Madurai.
The Thiruchendur Murugan Temple is believed to be one of the so-called six abodes of Lord Muruga. This shore Temple is dating back to 9 AD.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
The Temple Car festival is an important festival in Rameswaram held on February / March. Many other small festivals can also be witnessed here from time to time.
The Marriage festival is a typical festival of Rameswaram that is celebrated in August.
The famous Mahasivarathri is celebrated in February / March which last for 10 days.
SHOPPING
Rameswaram provides excellent opportunities for shopping. Near the temples one can purchase many handicrafts made of beads, seashell, palm leaves etc. Rameswaram silk sarees are very popular among the ladies. Khadicraft is a noted handicrafts centre in Rameswaram.
WHERE TO STAY
As Rameswaram is a Pilgrim center, rather than a tourist spot plenty of standard accommodation is available. Small lodges are also plenty here considering the influx of pilgrims especially during the festival seasons. Considering the arrival of tourists the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation is also offering good accommodation facilities here. Temple authorities like Devasthanam provide rather good accommodation. Railway retiring rooms are also available.
HOW TO REACH
By Air: The nearest airport to Rameswaram is at Madurai which is 173 Km away. Domestic flights into the major cities are operated by Indian Airlines.
By Rail: Two trains connect Rameswaram to Madurai daily. Several other trains, like the Sethu Express, Rameswaram Express, Tirupathy Express and Thirunelvely Express are also connect Rameswaram with the other parts of Tamil Nadu through the narrow guage rail.
By Road: Well-organized transportation system of Rameswaram is offering regular bus services to Madurai, which is 173 km away, Cape Comorin (Kanya Kumari) at a distance of 315 km, Trichy (Tiruchirapalli) that is 273 Km away and Chennai 527 km away.
INFORMATION
Rameswaram is just few miles away to that of Sri Lanka. In the Gulf of Mannar cruising and angling facilities can be found as the fishermen offer the same for considerable prices. And it should be important to note that the gulf is a vigilant area by both the Indian and Sri Lankan military. The alert zones must be avoided from entering.
