Rameswaram

A major Hindu pilgrimage Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu is home to one of the 12 jyotirlings. Situated on the Pamban Island, Rameshwaram is famous for its history and temples.

Rameswaram is situated on a small island in the Gulf of Mannar. It is connected to the mainland by road and railway bridges. Rameswaram comes from the word Rameswar, literally the god of Ram.

A renowned pilgrimage centre, it is visited by lakhs of pilgrims every year. Second only to Kashi Vishwanath temple, it is said that worshipping the Ramanathswamy temple at Rameshwaram guarantees salvation.

Rameswaram finds mention in India’s greatest epic, the Ramayan. Lord Ram built the bridge to Sri Lanka from Rameswaram. Ravan was slain in battle here and Lord Ram atoned for slaying Ravan by praying to Shiva here. Pilgrims often pray for the salvation of their ancestors here.

The town houses one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, believed to have been built by Sita. Sri Ramanathswamy temple is the main attraction of the town. Rameswaram, along with Dwarka  and Badrinath form the four Char Dhams and it was mandatory for Hindus to perform the pilgrimage atleast once.

Rameswaram was an important ferry port between India and Sri Lanka. However, the service ceased after the Tamil uprising and the downturn in relations between the two countries. Thousands of Tamils fleeing Lanka, landed on the Rameswaram coast at the height of civil war in the island nation.

Beaches located near Rameswaram are ideal to unwind. Dhanushkodi, where Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean, offers magnificent seascapes. Locals call Bay of Bengal as Penn Kadal or the female sea and the Indian Ocean as the Aaan Kadal or the male sea. Jeeps and four-wheel drives operated by locals are the only option to visit the land’s end. If interested, jump on a boat to view the splendid corals. But do check out the condition of the boats.

India’s 11th president and eminent scientist Dr A P J Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram and had his early education here.

Rameswaram is an important fishing centre of Tamil Nadu. The town is famous for its dry fish.

Along with handicrafts, one can buy showpieces made up of seashells, beads and palm leafs etc.