Rameshwaram

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. 

Pamban bridge

Pamban bridge is the second largest sea bridge in India and is over 2 kilometres long.

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.

Panchamukha Hanuman and Lakshmana Theertam

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.

Dhanushkodi, literally means the end of the bow: named so as Rama marked the spot for the bridge with one end of his bow. It is also told that upon Vibhishana's  request, Rama broke the Sethu with the end of his bow and hence the name.

Remnants of the Railway station at Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi

Fishermen, Bay of Bengal

Indian Ocean

It is the meeting point of Indian ocean and Bay of Bengal. After a short walk from the remnants, one gets to see the splendid view of the roaring Indian ocean on one side and the tranquil Bay of Bengal on the other.

To the left, Bay of Bengal and to the right, Indian Ocean

Pamban Bridge during sunset - road route