RAMESHWARAM

Rameshwaram also known as the Benaras (Kashi) of South India is located on Pamban Island separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel and is about 50 kilometres from Mannar Island of Sri Lanka. Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, is connected to mainland India by the Pamban Bridge. Rameswaram is the terminus of the railway line from Chennai and Madurai. Together with Kashi, it is considered to be one of the holiest places in India to Hindus, and part of the Char Dham pilgrimages

According to legend, this is the place from where Lord Rama built a bridge Ram Setu (also known as Adam's Bridge) across the sea to Lanka to rescue his consort Sita from her abductor Ravana.

The presiding deity here is in the form of a Linga with the name Sri Ramanatha Swamy, it also happens to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

The Ramanatha Swamy Temple occupies major area of Rameshwaram. The masterpiece of Dravidian architecture boasts of the largest temple corridor in India.

11th President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, hails from a fishing hamlet called Dhanushkodi situated on this island.

How to Reach Rameshwaram?

By Air
Madurai is the nearest airport to Rameshwaram, which is located at a distance of 163 km away from Rameshwaram. Madurai is connected to many cities by air including Coimbatore, Chennai and Bangalore.

Madurai Airport - 148 km

Chennai International Airport - 424 km

Bengaluru International Airport -  471

By Train
Rameshwaram (Mandapan station just 2 km away) is well connected by rail with many south Indian cities including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thanjavur and Trichy.
 

By Road
Overnight deluxe super fast buses connect Chennai and Bangalore with Rameshwarm, both cities are nearly 600 km away.The 2 km long Indira Gandhi Bridge connects the island of Rameshwaram with the mainland of Mandapam

Distances from Rameshwaram

Chennai - 566 km                  Bangalore -  578 km
Kanyakumari - 320 km            Karaikudi - 145 km
Chettinad - 156 km                Madurai - 170 km
Trichy -  237 km                   Thanjavur - 244 km

Before Rameshwaram Temple Darshan

Firstly you should go to the seashore which is just located in front of the temple, have to dip in the sea water and proceed to the temple with the wet clothes. Thereafter you have to visit all the 22 theerthams that are located around the temple. Theerthams are shallow waters of the sea extending upto some metres. There  are 22 such theerthams in Rameshwaram. Hindus believe that a bath in all of these theerthams will remove all the sins.
Once you have completed showering in sea and all the 22 theerthams, you can go back to your hotel room and change your dress and  enter into the temple and pray to Lord shiva in the temple who is the presiding diety.

Must See in Rameshwaram

Ramanathaswamy Temple - Temple is close to the sea on the eastern side of the island renowned for magnificent corridors with massive sculptured pillars lining it. The corridor is the longest in India. It is 197 metres long East-West, 133 metres in length South-North. The temple has a tower ( Gopuram ) 38.4 metres high. The temple as it stands today was built by different rulers at different periods from the 12th centuary AD onwards. The temple in 264 metres in length and 200 metres in breadth.

Agnitheertham - The temple is facing the east and the sea is just 100 metres away from the main entrance to the Temple. The water at this place is considered sacred and is known as 'Agnitheertham'. The pilgrims bathe in this place before entering the Temple.

Dhanushkodi - The southernmost tip of the island Dhanushkodi - was completely washed away by the 1964 cyclone. But the Kothandaraswamy Temple here remains intact. It can be reached by road from Rameswaram. it is beleived that Vibishana, brother of Ravana of the Ramayanam, surrendered before Lord Rama at this spot. The idols of Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vibishana are here. 

Satchi Hanuman Temple - This is where Hanuman said to have delivered the good news of sita's well being to Rama with an evidence choodamanai(Jewel) of Sita.

Sethu Karai - This is a place 22 km from Rameshwaram where Lord Ram built a floating stone bridge – the “Ramasethu”.

Badrakali Amman Temple - A kilometer away from the main sanctum sanctorum is the Badrakali Amman Temple with Devi Durga as its chief deity.

Coral Reef - The waters around the island abound not only in fish but also in coral reef for those who seek sun, sand and sea holidays.

Kurusadai Island - The Island lies to the west of the Pamban bridge between the mainland and the island. It is a Marine Biosphere, a paradise for the Marine Biologists and nature lovers.  There are a number of islands in the area around Kurusadai island. It is about 20kms from Rameswaram via Mandapam. This island is under the control of Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department and one needs special permission to visit this island.

Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge - The 2.2 km. length bridge connecting the Rameswaram Island and the mainland is the longest bridge in India constructed over a bay. It is also called as Pamban Bridge. The railway bridge connecting the island is noted for its unique opening to pass the ships through the sea.

Sea World Aquarium - The Acquarium lies opposite the Rameswaram Bus Stand, with an assortment of underwater creatures in their near natural habitat - the only one of its kind in the state, and probably in the country too, filled with such varied marine life forms.

Devi Pattinam - A coastal village is also known as Navashabashanam. It is believed that Lord Rama worshipped Navagraha here. The temple near by here, is dedicated to Devi, who is said to have killed the demon Mahishasura at this spot. Hindus perform religious rites for their forefathers here.

Uthirakosamangai - 72 KMs from Rameswaram is Uthirakosamangai. There is an ancient Siva temple, where the presiding deity is carved in Emerald. Annual 'Arudhra' festival in December attracts a large number of devotees.

Tamil Nadu Holiday Packages

Royal Tamil Nadu(14 days)	Tamil Nadu with Kerala (21 days)
Tamil Nadu with Karnataka (16 days)	Tamil Nadu Temple Tour (16 days)
Tamil Nadu Cultural Tour (19 days)	Six Abodes of Lord Muruga Tour (7 days)