Where is Rameshwaram?
The religious island of Rameshwaram is located in the state of Tamil Nadu
in southern India. It occupies a position at the very tip of the India
peninsula.
How will you gain access?
Madurai (173 km) is the closest airport from Rameshwaram. The city is well
linked by rail to cities like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy and
Thanjavur. There are regular bus and taxi services available connecting the
place to all the major towns of the state. The Andhra Pradesh State Road
Transport Corporation also plies buses to Rameshwaram.
What does it signify?
Rameshwaram is the place from where Rama built a bridge across the sea to
rescue his consort Sita from the demon king Ravana. This is also the very
place where Rama offered prayers to Shiva to free himself of the sin of
killing Ravana.
The city has a special religious significance as a pilgrimage to Benaras is
considered to be incomplete without a pilgrimage to Rameshwaram. The Linga
of Sri Ranganatha is the presiding deity of the place. It is counted among
the 12 Jyotirlingas of the country. On account of its religious
significance, it is also referred to as the ' Benaras of the South'.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama performed thanksgiving rituals here
after putting an end to the wicked king Ravana, the abductor of Rama's
consort Sita. The place is associated with innumerable incidents from the
great Hindu epic Ramayana.
What beckons devotees?
» Ramanathaswamy Temple
The Ramanathaswamy Temple was erected in the 17th century. The temple is
widely renowned for 1200 massive granite columns. The 54-metre tall Gopuram,
1220 metres of magnificent corridor and the elaborately ornamented columns
have earned the temple huge popularity. What is most fascinating is the fact
that the water in each of the 22 sacred wells has a different taste.
»
Agniteertham
Moving 100 metres away from the temple one arrives at the Agniteertham.
This is the same place where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to free himself
of the sin of killing Ravana.
» Gandamadana Parvatham
The Gandamadana Parvatham lies at a distance of 2 km from Rameshwaram. The
place preserves the footprint of Lord Rama. The place is profoundly honoured
by the Hindus.
» Dhanushkodi
At a distance of 8 km from Rameshwaram, lies the place called Dhanukshodi.
It is located at the eastern end of the island and is named after Rama's
bow. The boulders that lie between Sri Lanka and this place are known as
Adam's Bridge. The bridge is believed to have been used by Hanumanji to get
to Sri Lanka in pursuit of Rama's consort Sita.
» Erwadi
Erwadi is known all around for the tomb of Ibrahim Sahid Aulia. The place
lies at a distance of 24 km from the city of Rameshwaram. It sees a huge
number of Muslim pilgrims during the month of December when an annual
festival is organised to pay tributes to the saint.
What is the best time?
Rameshwaram has a hot and humid climate and there is not much difference in
temperature during the summer and winter months. The city can be visited
throughout the year.
