Rameshwaram, located on Pamban island, is considered as one of the holiest places in India. It is connected to mainland India by Pamban bridge.
The place and the journey are equally pleasurable, more so, if the journey is by train. Around 1 to 2 hrs distance to Rameshwaram one gets to view plenty of peacocks in the fields, and even near households. As the train passes over Pamban bridge, the lulling sounds of the train and the sea together make the journey a lasting experience.
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| Pamban bridge |
Pamban bridge is the second largest sea bridge in India and is over 2 kilometres long.
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| View from the train over the Pamban Bridge |
Rameshwaram houses the Ramanathaswamy temple(one of the Jyothirlinga Shrines) which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also home for many holy water bodies (Theerthams); Agnitheertham, the sea(Bay of Bengal), being the foremost. 22 of the theerthams are with in the main temple. These water bodies are either in the form of tanks or wells.
Legend connects Rameshwaram to Ramayana as the place where Rama worships Lord Shiva to wash away his sins after killing Ravana, and the place from which Rama builds the bridge (Ram Sethu or Adam's Bridge) to Lanka with the help of Vanara Sena.
Other places of importance in Rameshwaram include Dhanushkodi, Kodandarama temple, Hanuman temple, Gandhamadhana parvatham, Former president of India - Dr. Abdul Kalam's ancestral home, now converted into museum,etc. Local taxis on sharing basis are available in plenty to cover these places.
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| Panchamukha Hanuman and Lakshmana Theertam |
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| View from Gandhamadhana parvatham |
Dhanushkodi is the southern most tip of the island, now referred to as 'Ghost town' after the 1964 cyclone. Drive to Dhanushkodi along the coast is a wonderful experience.
It is the closest point to Srilanka from India (around 30 km) and is connected by Ram Sethu.
