RameswaramOne of the destinations in theHindu Char Dham Yatra,Rameswaram is a peninsula with acharm that heals all kinds oftension, and also fulfills religiouspursuits. Apart from the maintemple, it also has a number ofuntouched islands around itself,which are termed as aphotographer's and biologist'sparadise, for their sheer naturalbeauty and plethora of flora.

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Rameswaram is an important Hindupilgrimage centre and an integral part of theRamayana legend. It was from here thatLord Rama and his army are said to havecrossed over to Sri Lanka on a fascinating29-km chain of shoals, called Adam’s Bridgeor Rama’s Bridge. Rameswaram occupies aninteresting geographical location — in theGulf of Mannar that separates Tamil Nadufrom Sri Lanka.Hailed as the Varanasi ofSouth India, Rameswaram Temples dateback to the ages of the Ramayana. Legendhas it that this was where Lord Rama prayedto God Shiva to absolved him of any sin thathe might have committed in the war withthe demon-god, Ravana. He established aShivalinga here, in order expiate the sin ofkilling a Brahmin, Ravana. Built overcenturies, the temple is now a huge complexthat, amongst others, houses the worldfamous Third Corridor, which is supportedby 1212 intricately carved pillars with suchimmaculate detailing that it leaves one spellbound. Apart from the religious quests,there are a host of other things worthexploring here, such as Kurusadi Island, TheRamalinga Vilasam Palace, Ariyaman Beachand Dhanushkodi. Abundant in naturalbeauty and resounding with positivevibrations, Rameswaram is a delight forboth the peace-seeking traveller, and thedevoted pilgrim.

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When To

VISIThttp://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-rameswaram-lp-1097287

JanPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max:27.200000762939453°C

Min:24.799999237060547°C

Rain: 0.0mm

FebCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max:17.899999618530273°C

Min: 23.0°C Rain: 15.0mm

MarPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max:23.399999618530273°C

Min:24.899999618530273°C

Rain: 0.0mm

AprCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max:19.299999237060547°C

Min:20.200000762939453°C

Rain: 0.0mm

MayPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max:23.399999618530273°C

Min:21.399999618530273°C

Rain: 0.0mm

JunCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max: 21.0°C Min: 20.5°C Rain: 0.0mm

JulCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.

Max:20.200000762939453°C

Min: 21.0°C Rain: 0.0mm

AugCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max:21.299999237060547°C

Min: 13.5°C Rain: 9.0mm

SepCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max:17.700000762939453°C

Min: 22.0°C Rain: 18.0mm

OctPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max:27.100000381469727°C

Min:23.700000762939453°C

Rain: 612.0mm

NovPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max:29.700000762939453°C

Min:26.700000762939453°C

Rain: 399.0mm

DecPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max:26.899999618530273°C

Min:24.700000762939453°C

Rain: 75.0mm

What To

SEE5 Sights

http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-rameswaram-lp-1097287

1 Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple

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Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526,India

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu islocated in the island town of Rameshwaram,and is one of the four sacred Char Dhams inthe country, the other three being JagannathTemple in Puri (Orissa), DwarkadheeshTemple in Dwarka (Gujarat) and theBadrinath temple in Badrinath(Uttarakhand). The temple gets its namefrom Lord Rama because he came here toworship Lord Shiva.

The Legend

After killing Ravana (a brahmin), Lord Ramaarrived at Rameshwaram from Lanka withhis wife Sita. To expiate the 'kukarma' or'dosha' of killing a brahmin, he wanted toworship Lord Shiva. Since there was noShivling in Rameshwaram, he sent Hanumanto get the biggest Shivling from theHimalayas. Since it took him a long time toreturn, Sita made a shivling with mud andsand that became the original

Rameshwaram shivalingam.

The Temple ComplexThe Primary deity isLord Ramanathswamy (Shiva) in the form ofa lingam. There is a second Shivalingam inthe temple, called Vishwalingam, that wasbrought by Hanuman. As per Lord Rama'sinstructions, the Vishwalingam isworshipped first. The shrines ofRamanathswamy and Goddess Vishalakshiare separated by a corridor. There areseparate shrines for numerous gods andgoddesses.

Architecture

Similar to many ancient temples, the Ramanathaswamy Temple is alsosurrounded by a high wall that has Gopuram (towers) on its eastern andwestern sides and gates on its northern andsouthern sides. The interiors are verystriking with long corridors running betweencolumns built on platforms that are 5 fthigh. The Pillars themselves are around 25to 30 ft high.

An interesting structure in the form of achessboard is formed at the junction of thethird corridor and the path leading from thewestern gopuram to the Setumadhava shrine. Thisstructure is known as Chokkattan Madapam where all the Utsava

deities are adorned and kept duringfestivities and auspicious days. The outer setof corridors is the longest in the world, witha total of 1212 pillars. The pillars of the maintower or rajagopuram are carved with uniqueindividual compositions. Temple TanksThe island of Rameshwaramcontains 64 holy water bodies ( theerthas), of which  24 areconsidered very important. 22 of thesetirthas are present within the temple. Thelargest and the most important one beingthe Agni Theertham (Bay of Bengal). Bathing inthis theerthas is believed to absolve one of all crime andnegativity, thus making Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple a veryimportant ritual during the pilgrimage.

2 Annai Indira Gandhi RoadBridge

Rameswaram Island, Main Land,Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram,Tamil Nadu 623526, India

A bridge that took close to 14 years to becompleted, the  Annai Indira GandhiRoad Bridge was India's longestbridge for quite some time and was onlyreplaced by the Mumbai Worli sea linkrecently. Designed in a unique bow shape toallow passages of ship from underneath it,the Bridge is a complete wonder to look at,glittering with pride with the azure seastretching on under it endlessly. It isparallel to the famous rail bridgePamban. The bridge is about 2.5 kmlong and also offers brilliant views of theRailway Bridge and RameshwaramIsland.  

3 Dhanushkodi Beach

Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram,Tamil Nadu 623526, India

Eerily deserted and mystically beautiful, theDhanushkodi Beach makes for a marvellous

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sight to behold. Endlessly stretching silverysands, cool breeze, crystal clear water, andage-old ruins give the place a dream like afeel. Head here early morning to enjoy asunrise you will remember and cherish for alifetime. Even with all itsallure, DhanushkodiBeach remains a very emotional placefor many. Prior to 1964, the place was amerry fishing village, with families, schools,temples, a railway station , and a church. Ona fateful night, a cyclone swept away all thatthe place had, sparing nothing but a fewremains. After that, the place was neverrehabilitated and things never became thesame. The moss covered, blackenedbuildings one can see here today were oncethe home to unfortunate and unassumingfishermen.

4 Gandamadana Parvatham

3 kms from Island, Rameswaram,Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu623526, India

This is a simple temple about 21 km north-west of the Ramanathaswamy Temple.

There’s a marble image of Rama’s footprintshere. The view from the upper storey issuperb — windmills, sandbanks,backwaters, coconut trees and the infiniteocean. A simple temple atop a hillock thathas a very pleasant aura to itself,Gandamadana Parvatham is a superb placeto visit in the evenings. It houses a marbleimage of Lord Rama's footprints. Since thetemple is free from commercialization likethe other more popular ones, it breathes ina very serene, comforting and divineatmosphere. The most amazing aspect ofthis temple is the sweeping view it has tooffer to the island of Rameshwaram.

5 Former President A. P. J.Abdul Kalam House

Mosque Street, Rameswaram,Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu623526, India

Housing knick knacks from India's mostbeloved president's childhood, the A.P.J.Abdul Kalam House was established to tracethe life of the well-known scientist and

provide inspiration to all those who visit theplace. It is a little-known fact that Dr. Kalamwas born and brought up in Rameshwaram,in the very same house in which the galleryis housed today. Established in 2011, theplace holds many interesting photographsfrom the president's childhood and later life,depicting his formative years, research,awards, and achievements, along with islove for cultures, his mother, andmotherland. The second floor has ashop where you can buy artifacts that aremade up of sea shells. Light is alsothrown on his defence research anddevelopments, which is something trulyinspiring. Head here with your family tospend time understanding the simple life ofan extraordinary man.

Where To

Eat5 Places

http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-rameswaram-lp-1097287

1 Ambika Marvadi Bhojanalay

5A, Middle St, Rameswaram, TamilNadu 623526

Ambika Marvadi Bhojanalay is a popularvegetarian restaurant in Rameshwaramamong locals. It specialises in North Indian,South Indian, Gujrati, Rajasthani andMarathi food. An evening with your familyand friends is all you need to spare sometime and explore this place.

2 Ram Nivas Restaurant

Near Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple,Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526,India

Ram Nivas Restaurant offers good Indianand Chinese food combined with friendlyservice and nice decor. A special mentiongoes to the palak paneer and dal fry servedhere. The Chinese food is alsodefinitely not a miss here. The place isclean and the food is cooked in ahygienic way. On the whole, this is a decentplace to come with family for a nicemeal. 

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3 Gujarat Bhavan

15/16, Sanadhi Street, Rameswaram,Tamil Nadu 623526

A place worth visiting for homely cookedfood; however, be prepared to wait in a longqueue. But, at the end of it, its really worththe wait! The food here is quite cheap, tasty,simple and prepared in a hygienic manner.Located directly opposite toAgnitirtham, it is at a  walkingdistance from Rameswaram temple. 

4 Ahaan - The Restaurant

NH-49, Madurai RameshwaramHighway, Rameswaram 623 526,India

+91-4573-301401

Ahaan, a multi-cuisine restaurant boasts ofits delectable menu of Indian andInternational dishes. Therestaurant is located in Daiwik Hotelon the main road leading to Madurai.The chefs specialise in catering to thespecial diet needs of guests onrequest, thus taking extra care ofhealth and wellness ofguests. A warm, welcomingambience of Ahaan will be an unforgettableexperience for everyone.

5 Amritha Mess

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Quick

LOCATEhttp://www.ixigo.com/hotels-in-rameswaram-lp-1097287

SeeA: Sri Ramanathaswamy TempleB: Annai Indira Gandhi Road BridgeC: Dhanushkodi BeachD: Gandamadana ParvathamE: Former President A. P. J. Abdul KalamHouse

AccommodationF: Daiwik HotelG: Hotel Hare Rama Hare KrishnaH: Hotel Pearl ResidencyI: Daiwik HotelJ: Hotel Hare Rama Hare KrishnaK: Hotel Pearl ResidencyL: Daiwik HotelM: Hotel Hare Rama Hare KrishnaN: Hotel Pearl Residency

FoodO: Ambika Marvadi BhojanalayP: Ram Nivas RestaurantQ: Gujarat BhavanR: Ahaan - The RestaurantS: Amritha Mess