| Rameshwaram Tourist Places |
The sacred island of Rameshwaram, 163km southeast of Medora and less than 20km from Sri Lanka across the Gulf of Mannar is, along with Madurai, South India’s most important pilgrimage site. Often referred to as the ‘ Island of Prayer’, and also considered the Varanasi of the South India. Those who go to Kasi have to consummate their pilgrimage at Rameswaram.The north Indians and south Indians thus emerge as true Indians by this integration.
Connecting to the mainland by the majestic Indira Gandhi Bridge, one India’s engineering marvels; this small fishing village’s centre of attraction is the Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the most important temples in South India.
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Rameswaram the holy island is in the district of Ramanathapuram, the land of Sethupathi who sent Swami Vivekananda to the Parliament of Religions held at Chicago. It is also the seaport
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from where the ferry to Sri Lanka port Thalaimannar is operated throughout the year barring November and December when the sea turns rough.
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It is sacred for both Vaishanvaites and Saivaites.Never ending pilgrims from all quarters of India is the greatness of this place. The recent rapprochement in nearby Sri Lanka means some of the tensions and once heavy military presences are no longer in avidence, but before you visit, check at any TTDC tourist office to see if there has been a resurgence of fighting.
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| General Information |
Area |
51.8 Sq.kms |
Population |
32,690 (1991) |
Altitude |
Sea Level |
Rainfall |
50 cm average |
Tourist Season |
Throughout the year |
Clothing |
Cotton |
Languages |
Tamil,English |
STD Code |
04573 |
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| Climate |
Summer – Max: 48.0º C, Min :46.0º C
Winter - Max : 30.0º C, Min :25.0º C |
| Places of Interest |
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| Ramanathaswamy Temple |
This temple is the centre of attraction and thousands of pilgrims pour in daily. It is known worldwide for its magnificent corridors running 4000 ft in length and 30 ft in breadth lined by massive sculptured pillars. The temple was built by Sethupathis,the rulers of Ramanathapuram district between 1414 AD and 1649 AD and it has grown in leaps and bounds to the present stage. The Gandhamathana Paravatham is a hillock situated to the north of the temple. The two storey mandapam and an imprint of Lord Rama’s feet on a chakra attract pilgrims. |
| Kothandaramaswamy Temple |
This Vishnu shrine is located 18 kms away on the southern tip of the island called Dhanushkodi.This temple is the only structure that survived the 1964 cyclone which washed
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away the rest of Dhanushkodi.It can be reached by road from Rameswaram and buses ply to this place. It was the place where Vibishana the brother of Ravana is said to have surrendered to Rama.The temple has beautiful idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vishnu. On the very tip of Dhanushkodi is a sacred pool – a lovely bathing ghat.
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| The Gandhamathana Parvatham (Hillock) |
It is in the north –west of the island and the most elevated point of the island. It is a two-storied structure with a ruined fort. Hanuman is said to have leapt from this point across the sea to reach Lanka.The feet of Rama is in the centre of the lower storey. It is also known as Ekantha Rameswaram and contains handsome idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana.Here; Rama is seen raising one of his arms. From this elevated place, one can have an excellent view of the whole island.
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| Coral Reefs |
The coral reefs of Rameswaram are another attraction mainly for marine biologists, who throng these islands for research and observation.
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| There are sandy beaches fringed by coconut palms and swaying tamarind trees. The Kurusadai Islands on the west and the Pamban Bridge are ideal places of exploration. The Gulf of Mannar has been declared as a bio-sphere reserve and is being developed as an ecologically sensitive area. |
It is 26 kms at the eastern edge of Rameswaram.It is also called Thiruvanai, Adhisethu, Nalasethu and Rama’s bridge. This is formed like a bridge between Dhanushkodi and Thalaimannar.It is said that Rama crossed this way with his Vanara sena to Lanka.
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| Mandapam |
It is the end of the mainland from where people have to proceed for the island of Rameswaram either by road, rail or by boat. A boat ride to Kurusadai Island can be arranged from here.
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| How To Reach |
| Air: Nearest airport is Madurai. |
Rail: The railway station, 1 km southwest of the centre, is the end of the line for trains from Chennai, Coimbatore, Thanjavur, Madurai and Ramnad. |
Road: The NH – 49, the main road from Madurai, connects Rameshwaram with Mandapam on the mainland via the impressive two kilometer long Indira Gandhi Bridge, originally built by the British in 1914 as a railway link. Buses from Madurai, Trichy, Thanjavur, Kanniyakumari and Chennai pull in at the stand, 2 km west of the centre.
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| Hotels in Rameshwaram |
Apart from the TTDC hotel, accommodation in Rameshwaram is restricted to basics lodges, mostly in the Car streets around the temple. |
| Chola Lodge, Maharaja’s, Shriram Hotel Island star, TTDC Hotel Tamil Nadu, Hotel Royal Park. |
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Rameshwaram Tourism
