Rameswaram India Tourism
Rameswaram is a small island in the Gulf of Mannar, is a major pilgrim centre.
It is connected to the mainland by road and railway bridges. Rameswaram
is a holy place because Sri Rama, on his return from Sri Lanka, offered
his thanks to Lord Shiva and performed pooja to wash away his sin in killing
the Demon King, Ravana.
Rameswaram is known for its 22 theerthas or wells in and around the main
temple. This place is equally sacred to both Vaishnavites and Shaivites.
According to Hindu Mythology, if one visits Rameswaram and prays to Lord
Shiva one will be relieved of ones sins. It is 197 metres long.
The Ramanathaswamy temple is renowned for its magnificent corridors and
massive sculptured pillars. The third corridor of Ramanathaswamy temple
is the longest one in the world.
Besides pilgrimage, Rameswaram Island has several places, which are ideal
picnic spots. There are beautiful beaches at Olaikuda, Dhanushkodi and
Pamban. The Olaikuda beach is 1 km from the main temple and s engulfed
by coral reefs, which makes bathing in the sea safe and enjoyable. With
diving glasses and respiration tubes, scuba diving is safe and possible.
Flamingos, sea gulls and a variety of birds migrate to the Rameswaram
Island during winter.
Rameswaram is a main fishing centre of Tamil Nadu. Variety of fishes including
export quality fish like prawns, sea cucumber, and lobster are available
here. Rameswaram is also famous for its dry fish.
Rameswaram an island in the Gulf of Mannar, is connected to the mainland
at Mandapam by rail and road. It is shaped in the form of conch, like the
one in Lord Maha Vishnu's hand. Kashi-Rameswaram is the ultimate in a Hindu
pilgrim's progress towards salvation. It is believed that a pilgrimage that
starts at Kashi or Varanasi in the north of India is complete only after
worship of Lord Ramanathaswamy at Rameswaram.
Places of Tourist Interest
Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple:
This temple situated near the sea on the eastern side of the island is renowned
for its magnificent prakaras or corridors with massive sculptured pillars
on either side. The longest corridor in the world is here and it is 197
metres long from East to West and is 133 metres wide from South-North. The
temple has a Gopuram 38.4 metres tall. Different rulers built the temple
as it stands today, at different periods from the 12th century A.D. Pooja
is performed for an hour early morning daily to the Spadikalingamthat was
given by the Shankaracharya to this temple.
Agnitheertham:
Sri Ramanathaswamy temple faces east. The seashore, about 100 metres from
the main entrance of the temple, is very calm and therefore ideal for bathing.
The water at this place is considered sacred and known as Agni theertham.
Pilgrims perform poojas in honour of their ancestors at this seashore.
Gandamadana Parvatham:
It is a hillock situated 3 kms away and is the highest point in the island.
Here one can see the imprint of Lord Ramas feet on a chakra. The entire
island of Rameswaram is visible from this point.
Sugreevar Temple/Theertham:
It is situated on the way to Gandamadana Parvatham near the Doordarshan
Kendra.
Rameswaram India Tourism, South India Tourism Reservation Form