Rameshwaram (Tamilnadu, India)

Rameshwaram is one of the sacred towns of India. It is famous all over the country for its temple corridor- the longest in India, the Bathing Ghat, Ganthamathana Parvatham, Kothandaramar temple, Kurusadai and other nearby islands - abundant with coral reefs and other marine wonders. Hailed as Varanasi of the south, Rameshwaram is must visit sacred spot for devout Hindus. It is believed that people achieve their long cherished dream after paying obeisance to the god Lord Shiva. Rameshwaram known as the Varanasi of the south, Rameshwaram is a major pilgrimage centre for both Shaivites and Vaishnavaites as it was here that Rama ( an incarnation of Vishnu in the Indian epic the Ramayana ) offered thanks to Siva. At the town's core is the Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the most important temples in southern India. Rameshwaram is on an island in the Gulf of Mannar, connected to the mainland at Mandapam by rail and by one of India's engineering wonders, the Indira Gandhi Bridge. The bridge took 14 years to build and was opened by Rajiv Gandhi late in 1988. The town lies on the island's eastern side and used to be the port from which the ferry to Talaimannar ( Sri Lanka ) departed before passenger services were suspended more than a decade ago. as a result, there are now very few foreign visitors. Rameswaram is famous for its 22 theerthas (or wells) that surround the main temple. This place is of equal importance to Vaishnavites and Shaivites. Besides temple Rameshwaram island has several places, which are ideal picnic spot.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama on his return from Sri Lanka offered his thanks to Lord Shiva and performed worship to wash away his sin in killing the monster king, Ravana. Rameshwaram also is associated to the Ramayana as many incidents can be related to the past. Many pilgrims throng Rameshwaram every year. It is believed that the pilgrimage of Hindu is not considered complete without visiting this sacred spot. Sages say that Rameshwaram is also the place to attain Moksha.

Sightseeing:

Erwadi:
An important site for Muslim pilgrims, Erwadi houses the tomb of Ibrahim Sahid Aulia. At a distance of 24 kilometers from Rameshwaram is Erwadi. Muslims from across the globe visit Erwadi especially during the month of December to participate in the annual festival celebrated as a tribute to the saint>

Dhanushkodi:
It is believed that the boulders around the sea between Srilanka and this place known as Adam's bridge were used by Hanuman to reach across Srilanka. Dhanushkodi was completely destroyed by the cyclones of 1964 but Kothandaramaswamy temple remained intact. A leisurely drive along the Dhanushkodi road is a pleasant experience. The clear sea, backwater edged with waving bulrushes, surrounds the road. Stretches of virtually untouched beach sparkle in the fading light and it is from here that one gets spectacular view of the sunset. Towards the end of the road a few transient settlements of fishermen can be seen in the fishing season.

Ramanathaswamy Temple:
Ramnathswamy temple was built in the 17th century and spread over an area of 15 acres , has lofty gopurams, massive walls and a collossal Nandi. Rameswaram also boasts of a 4000 feet long pillared corridor with over 4000 pillars, supposedly the longest in the world. The carved granite pillars are mounted on a raised platform. What is unique about this corridor is that the rock is not indigenous to the island and it was brought in from elsewhere in Tamilnadu across the sea. The eastern Rajagopuram towers to a height of 126 feet and it has nine levels. The Western Rajagopuram, though impressive is not as tall as the Eastern one. The stuccoed image of Nandi is about 18 feet tall and 22 feet in length. Six worship services are carried out each day, the first being at 5am. Special worship services are carried out every Friday.

Rama worshipped Shiva in the form of a Shiva Lingam made of earth by Sita, while returning to Ayodhya. Legend has it that Hanuman was entrusted with the task of bringing an image of Viswanathar from Benares. Anticipating delay in Hanuman's return from Benares, Rama is said to have offered worship at a pre-chosen auspicious moment to a Shivalingam fashioned out of earth by Sita. This lingam is referred to as Ramalingam and the town is known as Rameswaram.