Rameshwaram
Introduction And History :The town of Rameshwaram is located in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu state. It is an island separated from mainland by the Pamban channel. It is very near to Jaffna Peninsula of Sri Lanka. This place has got both historical and spiritual importance as it is considered to be one of the holiest places for Hindus, in the similar lines of Varanasi. It is a vibrant pilgrim centre, with travelers visiting from all over the country. According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Rama built a bridge Ram Setu(Adam’s Bridge) across the sea to Sri Lanka with the help of army consisting monkeys to rescue his wife Sita, from her abductor Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Shiva, which became the name of the town - Rameswara (”lord of Rama”). It is the abode of one of the 12 Jyothir lingas of India.
What To See : The Ramanathaswamy Temple is the main attraction of this little town. To worship Lord Ramanatha or Ramalinga, the hallowed sand Lingam made by Sita and installed by Sri Rama, pilgrims enter through the eastern shrine. Apart from the main shrine the town has multiple other attractions which include Parvathavardhini, Vishwanatha and Visalakshi, Sayanagruha (Palliyarai), Jyothirlinga and Sethumadava. As this place is believed to be where Rama spent a significant amount of time there are many monuments relating to Ramayana also. Ramarpadam is a place one can fine footsteps of Lord Rama and Sita Kund is a sacred pond which is named after Sita. The Floating stones (Hanuman Temple) and Sugreevar theertham are some other attractions. Between January and March is the best time to visit Rameshwaram.
Accomodations :As it is one of the important pilgrimage centers in Tamilnadu, Rameshwaram offers multiple accommodation options. The government of Tamilnadu promoted TTDC hotels are very economical and comfortable to stay with. Accommodation charges can range from 500 to 3000 rupees per day.
Mode Of Transport : Madurai is the nearest Airport, which is located about 163 Kilometers away from Rameshwaram. It has well connected rail network with trains connecting to all major cities in Tamilnadu which includes Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Tanjavur and other important cities. The two kilometer long Indira Gandhi Bridge connects the island of Rameshwaram with the mainland of Mandapam. It is also well connected by road with other cities. For local transportation taxis, auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws and Tongas are available. Also city bus service is available in the island.
Related links:
• Tamilnadu Tourist website: http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/
• Rameshwaram tourist information: http://www.rameswaram.co.in/
See also (Nearby places): Kodaikanal, Madurai, Uthirakosamangai, Devipattinam, Water Bird Sanctuary,Erwadi and Uppoor are some of the nearby tourist attractions.
