Exploring Rameshwaram

Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

Rameswaram is a coastal town on Pamban Island based in the southeastern part of the country. The town is around 605 km away from the capital of the state. The nature marvel situated on Pamban Island is a tip of the Indian peninsula based between India and Sri Lanka. Even Mannar Island based in Sri Lanka is just 40 km from this place.

This beautiful piece of land is separated by the Pamban channel and it is home to one of the holiest destinations in India – The Rameshwaram temple. This temple is home to Lord Shiva and it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the entire country. This Jyotirlinga is the southernmost based jyotirlinga and holds an important place in the Hindu religion. The journey to reach this beautiful island which is also known as Rameshwaram Island is truly awesome. One can thoroughly enjoy the tour on the way to this iconic peninsula of India. You will see splendid views of the ocean, the cool breeze takes you through, and the awesome atmosphere will take your journey to the next level. There is two-way transportation which is possible via road and railway. Both of them will give you Goosebumps at the idea of crossing through the sea. This rail track is considered the first in India to cross the sea and one of the most dangerous tracks in the world. So, if you are going to visit Rameshwaram you must try this railway track as it becomes a must-do activity while visiting this heavenly place on earth.

You will be surprised to know that the entire area of the island is just 55 km and comes to the district of Ramanathapuram. The bridge which connects the Rameswaram municipality with the Mainland of India is known as the Pamban Bridge. This railway bridge was constructed in 1914 and it is the first sea bridge of the country. It has a double-leaf bascule section midway of the bridge to let any ship pass through. In 1988 they constructed a road bridge parallel to the rail bridge. This bridge is used to reach this Pamban Island and is majorly used by visitors apart from locals to reach the Rameswaram Temple which is also known as Ramanathaswamy Temple. This is a famous temple in the center of Pamban Island dedicated to Lord Shiva. This glorious temple was built in the 12th century by the Pandya Dynasty. The grand temple construction was started by the Sethupathy of the Maravar community which was later completed by their successors. The third corridor which was completed is the longest pathway to reach the main temple in entire Asia and the third-largest in the world. It is believed that the quest for salvation is not completed for oneself until the pilgrimage to this majestic temple. There are 22 Theerthams (natural springs) in which pilgrims take a holy bath before entering the temple. There is a strong belief that taking a bath in them will take the person to enlightenment. One can sit there in the temple compound and experience the sanctity and inner peace away from material life.

This temple is a delightful place for every tourist. The temple is beautifully carved with Dravidian architecture, the buildings are colored in bright golden, and pure milky white color is an add-on. Marvelous 1212 pillars in the outer corridor with spectacular art on the pillars along with sealing, two high gopurams are enhancing the royalness of the temple and the main Rajagopuram is 53 meters tall.

Ramanathaswamy Temple Corridor would be one of the most admired things in the temple, its dimensions are an irony itself, however, with the use of colors, designs, and carvings done on the pillars, the entire structure is made to perfection. It looks so impeccable that one can keep on looking at it and would not even blink an eye. The temple is spread across 15 acres and you can spend hours taking a view of the entire premises.

There is a legend behind the existence of this temple that while Lord Rama was going to attack Lanka and when he reached the seashore he drank water from there. Then suddenly an Akashwani (celestial proclamation) happened that you are drinking water without worshipping me. After listening to it Lord Rama prepared a linga out of the sand and worshipped it. He asked for blessings from Lord Shiva to conquer Devil Ravana. Lord Shiva blessed him accordingly, thus Lord Rama requested Lord Shiva to reside in that place eternally so that every mankind can worship and seek blessing for the benefit. Lord Shiva stayed there in the form of Linga for eternity.

Another legend behind the existence says, that once Lord Rama defeated Ravana and came back to Ayodhya. So, he took a stoppage here and wished to pray to Lord Shiva. Then he asked Lord Hanumana to bring an image of Viswanathar from Benaras. Lord Rama wanted to offer the prayers at a pre-decided time and as he anticipated that Lord Hanuman will be delayed, so he asked Devi Sita to make a Shiva Lingam out of the sand. To which Lord Rama offered prayers to seek blessings. Hence, there are two Shiva Linga here one was brought by Lord Hanumana the Viswanathar from Banaras, and the other one was made by Devi Sita Ramanathaswamy. Viswanathar shiva lingam is also known as Hanumalingam and Kasilingam. As per the rituals prayers are offered to Viswanathar first then Ramanathaswamy is worshipped as a mark of respect paid to the one brought by Lord Hanumana from Banaras.

How to reach Rameswaram

Rameswaram is accessible by all modes of transport air, train, and road. So, one can choose among the best options which suit them better. If someone is traveling far, taking a flight would be the best option.

By Air – There is no direct flight to Rameswaram and the nearest airport is located at Madurai which is about 179 km from the town. This airport is well connected with other main cities of the country like Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Trichy. Once you come out of the airport you can easily book a cab to reach your destination.

By Train - The Rameswaram railway station is the nearest and is very well connected to the Indian railway network. Trains from major cities take a stoppage here like Coimbatore, Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, Thanjavur, Bengaluru, and Palakkad. Pamban Bridge which is a rail bridge was created to connect with this island from the mainland of India

By Road - Rameswaram is quite well connected with roads from other parts of the country as well. The state government of Tamil Nadu has started a public transport service post a road bridge was constructed in 1988 which connects Rameswaram from other parts of the state, main cities like Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Bengaluru, and the country as well through the national highway 87. You may also take your car to visit this beautiful island.

Weather in Rameswaram

Weather at Pamban Island remains warm almost throughout the year however as it is surrounded by the sea and one can expect a cool breeze during the morning and evening hours which makes the climate soothing for the visitors. The overall climate is tropical for this region and the best time to visit is between October to April to experience the pleasant weather. Winter is the most desired season here to pay and visit and enjoy the sightseeing.

Summer: March - June

Winter: October – February

Monsoon: July - September

Best time to Explore Rameswaram

Rameswaram is one such destination that gives you immense satisfaction not only for being one of the holiest places for Hindus and being an integral part of Chardham but also as a perfect island surrounded by beauty and natural charm. It is important to know the best time to explore this wonderful location to the fullest. During the rainy season, it is not recommended to travel as the water level goes up and traveling becomes difficult. The most desirable duration is in the winter from October through April are some of the best months to travel. The temperature is quite cool during this time and it becomes easy for guests to do outdoor activities and sightseeing. If you are Lord Shiva devotee the ideal time will be during February or March on the occasion of Maha Shivratri to witness the grand celebration of this festival in the Ramanathaswamy Temple.

Places to visit in Rameswaram
Rameswaram is a heavenly place to visit full of natural beauty, ancient architecture, divine place, sanctity, full of fun and adventure. We are listing some of the important places to visit which should be a part of your places to explore list on your visit to this holy place.


Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple
This man-made marvel is there on the top of the visitor's list. The temple is enriched with carvings done in Dravidian architecture. This splendid piece of art was built in the 12th century and then further extended later on. Your trip to the Rameswaram is not considered completed until the visit to this temple. The temple is a house for Lord Shiva Lingas which are worshipped by the pilgrims to seek blessings. This temple has the largest corridor in the Aisa and the second largest in the world. There about 1212 pillars in the corridor with a beautiful amalgamation of colors and carvings are done on the pillar and ceiling. As per a legend, there were 112 sacred ponds to take a holy bath before now only 12 are left to purify the pilgrims. This temple is part of the Chardham yatra in the search for salvation and the yatra is not considered completed until the visit to this wonderful temple.

Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple
Lord Hanuman played an important role in the foundation of Rameswaram as per a legend. He brought an image of Viswanathar from Benaras when asked by Lord Rama. This is the reason this temple has a great significance in Rameswaram and secondly, the five-faced Lord Hanuman representation is rarely found all across the country. This temple holds a prestigious value in the places to visit in Rameswaram and it is located at just 2 km from the Rameswaram temple. The idol of Lord Hanuman is created from a large Senthooram Stone which was considered quite precious during ancient times. The temple has the stones which were used to build the Ram Setu to rescue Devi Sita from Lanka. This is a must-visit place for the pilgrims.

Kothandaramaswamy Temple
Another historical marvel based on the Pamban island is this classic temple; Kothandaramaswamy temple. This temple is nearby the shallow beaches and is now quite near the sea. This temple is said to be a part of the Ramayana and it holds the deities of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshman, Devi Sita, and Lord Hanuman it is also believed to have residing spots found for Vibhishana as well; younger brother of Ravana who played a significant role in acquiring Lanka. The temple is said to have been constructed long back 500 - 1000 years ago. The main idol of Lord Rama is depicted with a bow which is known as Kothandam and this is the reason by the name of the temple is Kothandaramaswamy. This temple is famous as the Vibhishan temple. This temple is located 10 km from the Rameswaram. This temple is based on the tip of the Indian peninsula and it remains just 24 km from the west of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka it is heard that from there one can see the high telephone towers on the Sri Lankan Island. Until the cyclone in Rameswaram this place Dhanushkodi was resided by the people. A cyclone in 1964 destroyed everything on the land, the only structure remained in the remains of this temple. This temple holds an important place in Hindu mythology as it is said that this is the point from where Lord Rama is said to have built the bridge to reach Lanka. This is an amazing spot to visit while you are touring Rameswaram, don't forget to touch base with this place.

Villoondi Teertham
Villoondi Teertham means buried bow. There is a legend behind this place that once Devi Sita was thirsty so Lord Rama dipped the bow at this place to bring water to help her quench her thirst. It is believed that it formed a well little in mid of the sea with drinkable water and people take it as a blessing by driving water from the well. This has become a sacred place and both locals and visitors consider this place important to visit. One can even enjoy the beach around this well.

Lakshmana Teertham
This divine temple is located nearby to the magical Rameswaram temple. Lakshmana temple is famous for the sacred pond in the temple premises and people tend to visit this gorgeous structure with mesmerizing architecture to take a dip in the holy pond. This temple is spiritually important for the pilgrims visiting Rameswaram.

Rama Setu
This is one of the most iconic incidents in the history of the world and often there is a debate if the bridge is truly manmade. This beautiful Rama Setu is also known as Adam's Bridge. This ancient bridge is located on the last land point of India Dhanushkodi which connects to the north-western coast of Sri Lanka with a network of dots of land as it appears to be made of stones that could float on the water. This bridge poses a certain amount of excitement in the visits and it is one of the most visited places in Rameswaram.

Ariyaman Beach
This is a crystal clear beach which is 2 km long and this attracts a great number of visitors to soak themselves in the white sand beach. It is a great picnic spot for friends and family. The waves are gentle and even children can enjoy this beach without risk. One can find a lot of boats around and you may choose to go for a ride. This is one of the must-visit beach points in the Rameswaram.

Water Bird Sanctuary
This is a beautiful place for nature lovers, bird watchers. This place tells us that Rameswaram is not only about temples, however, but this sanctuary also has indigenous birds and various flocks of migrated birds. The winter season from October to January is the highest season for migratory birds to come here and breed in these ideal conditions. One can certainly enjoy a lot here the closeness to the nature and chippiness of the birds would enlighten you.

Dhanushkodi Beach
This is the southern tip of Indian territory based on the last part of Rameswaram Island. This place is a meeting point for the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. Both the waters congregate at one of the beaches of Dhanushkodi with high tides of the Bay of Bengal merging with low tides of the Indian Ocean. This place certainly gives you a heavenly feeling, it used to be a populated place until the cyclone vanished everything in 1964. Now, most of the natives have already left and it is frequented by visitors only. As the residents left this place isolated, this small piece of land was declared a ghost town by the government. It offers a quite peaceful environment to the visitors and this is significant because from this location only Lord Rama started building the bridge to Lanka.

Sea World Aquarium
This is one such place which would not only be loved by the children however even the adults can enjoy here. This aquarium is right in front of the Rameswaram bus stand offering several aquatic species on display. You can check out sharks, rabbitfish, octopus, lobsters, and much more. One can also buy souvenirs made out of seashells. This place is worth paying a visit to take this experience.

Agnitheertham
This place is considered sacred by devotees and pilgrims and is frequented by visitors. Agniteertham holds great mythological significance as per the legends in the Hindu religion. This is the most popular bath site situation out of the premises of the Rameswaram temple rest all the holy springs are inside the temple. As per the belief by taking a dip in the holy water of Agnitheertham a person gets rid of their sins. This is one of the most important places for worshippers and it becomes a must-visit place.

Popular shopping places in Rameswaram

Shopping in Rameswaram can really fun, especially for the shopaholics who would find a variety of souvenirs to explore from. One can check out for the perfect handicraft, conch, decorative pieces made of palm leaves, jewelry, copperware, wooden items, and trinkets made of seashells. You can also look out for clothing made out of Khadi like kurtas, T-shirts, and more and silk saree. There are shops nearby the main temple to choose some souvenirs to gift to loved ones. Kurinji Textiles based in Rameswaram is famous for silk sarees, with high-quality clothing. House of Kalam is another option to buy handicrafts and items made of seashells and wooden work items. Shops nearby the Rameswaram temple make a good market for the guests to check out.

Tips for Travelers for Rameswaram

The temperature would be on a warmer side then you should keep your light clothes to stay comfortable. Also, while you are visiting the Rameswaram temple don't forget to take a holy bath in the Teerthams to purify yourself before seeking blessing from Lord Shiva. There are two main Shiva lingam and the As per the rituals prayers are offered to Viswanathar first then Ramanathaswamy is worshipped. There is also a special pooja done to the Sphatik Lingam which happens only in the morning between 5 am to 6 am and you need to take a ticket of 50 rupees to be a part of it. While you are visiting Dhanushkodi although the beach is alluring, however, please don't get into the water as it is denied by the government. Also, as most of the places are at a distance, you may choose to rent a bike to comfortably explore the place. Do not forget to book your hotel, homestay, or any other accommodation from a trustworthy travel agency. Do take care of your belongings as it is a popular tourist destination. Create lots and lots of memories by clicking pictures and videos. You should take care of your dress while visiting the temple, Jeans, and T-shirts are not allowed for men rather can wear vests, they can wear normal shirts or pants, and women should not be wearing revealing clothes. Also, you will not be allowed to enter the main temple in wet clothes.

Things to Carry

Carry all your gadgets you will need like Mobile, DSLR, power bank, warm clothes, Some basic medicines, sports shoes, a handbag, dry tissues, wet wipes, and a bag pack. Carry your identification documents which will help you avail accommodation and local hires.

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