Rameswaram Island – Tamilnadu, INDIA

Rameswaram is a small island in Gulf of Mannar near to Srilanka, and a national pilgrim centre of India. It is connected to the mainland by road bridge and famous pamban railway bridge in the sea from Mandapam. The Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of the most sacred shrines of the Hindus in India. The Jyotirlingam at the Ramanathaswamy temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingams of India. It is considered as holy as Banaras/Kasi.      According to the legends, after killing Ravana Lord Rama returned to India and offered worship to Lord Shiva at Rameshwaram to wash away the sin of killing the demon king. Lord Rama directed Hanuman to bring the lingam from Kailasha within a certain time but Hanuman was delayed and Sita had to prepare one of sand, before the auspicious hour. It is said that this is the same Linga of Sri Ramanatha in the 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 one’s sins.

     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.

     Rameswaram is known for its 22 theerthams or wells inside the main temple and has almost 64 theerthams in and around the temple.

     The Ramanathaswamy temple is renowned for its magnificent corridors, massive sculptured pillars, famous architectures and paintings. The third corridor of Ramanathaswamy temple is the longest one in the world.

     It is believed that Kasi-Rameswaram is the ultimate in a Hindu pilgrim's progress towards salvation.

Besides pilgrimage, Rameswaram Island has several places of interests. There are beautiful beaches at Sangumal Olaikuda, Dhanushkodi and Pamban. The Olaikuda beach is 1 km away from the main temple and engulfed by coral reefs, which makes bathing in the sea safe and enjoyable.      Flamingos, sea gulls and a variety of birds migrate to the Rameswaram Island during winter at Danushkodi.      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 and also famous for its dry fish.      Rameswaram island consisting of about 30 villages and people are mainly into fishing and fishing related jobs.

The Ex. President of India, Dr.A.P.J. Abdul kalam is from this Rameswaram Island and his Residence has become a place of interest and attracts all tourists.

Rameshwaram Geography  Rameswaram Island is of 61.8 Square Kilometers located in southern part of Tamilnadu which is southern state of INDIA. It is just 35 nautical mile away from SRILANKA It consists of three major places like Rameswaram, Danushkodi, Thangachimadam and Pamban, Total population is this island will be about 1,00,000 as of year 2010. This island has about 15 churches and St.James church is famous for all religious people, a symbol for communal harmony

Details of Pooja Timings Timing Pooja Name 5.00AM Palliarai Deepa Arathana 5.10AM padigalinga Deepa Arathana 5.45AM Thiruvanathal Deepa Arathana 7.00AM Vila Pooja 10.00AM Kalasanthi Pooja 12.00PM Uchikala Pooja 6.00PM Sayaratcha Pooja 8.30PM Arthajama Pooja 8.45PM Palliarai Pooja

Rameswaram Places of Interest
In abstract

Ramanathaswamy Temple  To Dhanuskodi and kothandaramar temple  Gandamadana Parvatham( Rama footprint)  Various theethams outside the temple  Various temples  Vivekananda memorial mandapam at Kundukaal,Pamban                Pamban bridges

Distance for local sightseeings

(From Rameswaram temple)

 To reach Arichalmunai(Tip of Dhanushkodi ) – 24 KM

 To Rama foot print - 3 km

 To other places - 3 to 4 km radius

 To pamban bridge and vivekananda memorial mandapam- 13 Km

Nearest places from Rameswaram Island

 Devipattinam – Navabhashanam - 70 KM

 Uthirakosamangai - 72 KM

 Erwadi - 80 KM

Villages in Rameswaram island All villages are fishermen villages.  Dhanushkodi area villages  Olaikuda area villages  Thangachimadam area villages  Ariyankundu, vadakadu,erakadu villages  Pamban area villages

On East of Rameswaram Temple

Agnitheertham(Sea-shore), Just 200 meters away from the temple where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. People believes that taking bath in this place washes away their sins.

On south East of Rameswaram Temple

Dhanushkodi (18 KM), the southern tip of the island, Dhanushkodi was completely washed away by the 1964 cyclone. Tourists can witness the remains of the devastated town and its silence and salient beach. Kothandaramaswamy Temple (12KM) a popular belief is that Vibishana, brother of Ravana, surrendered before Rama here in this place. Jada Theertham(4KM), on the way to Dhanushkodi from Rameswaram. As per legend, Lord Rama, on his way back after killing avana, Worshipped Sri Ramalinga (believed to be installed by him). Before doing so, he washed his hair (Jada) in this theertham to purify himself.

On North of Rameswaram Temple

Gandamadana Parvatham- Rama footprint (3KM), it is a hillock and the highest point in the island other than Microwave T.V Tower. It is believed that the imprint of Lord Rama’s feet on a chakra is there. The entire island of Rameswaram is visible from this point.

Saatchi Hanuman Temple(3KM) & Sugreevar Temple/Theertham, On the way to the Gandamadana Parvatham from the main temple. This temple is considered to be the place where Hanuman delivered the good news of finding Sita to Rama with saatchi(in tamil) or evidence, Choodamani or the jewel that belonged to Sita.

On west of Rameswaram Temple

The Five-faced Hanuman Temple(2KM), the deity of Hanuman drawn with senthooram. Idols of Lord Ram, Sita and Hanuman brought from Dhanushkodi during the 1964 cyclone were placed here. The floating stone, used to build the Sethu Bandanam or the bridge between India and Lanka can be found in this temple.

Pamban railway Bridge (12 km), it connects the Rameswaram island with the main land. It is the second longest sea bridge in India and its length is nearly 2.3 km. It was opened for traffic in 1914. It was converted to broad gauge and inaugurated in 2007. It can be raised to let small ships and vessels pass under the bridge. Villoondi Theertham(7KM), On the way to Pamban. Pamban Road Bridge (12km), one of the engineering marvels in India and took 14 years to complete and was inaugurated in 1988.The bridge is 2.34 km long with 79 pillars, 64 of which are built in the sea.

This sea zone is one of the highly corrosive zones in the world and special interests are being taken to protect it from the corrosion by concern authorities.

On west of Rameswaram Temple

Devipattinam (70 KM) also known as Navabashanam, this coastal Village has a temple dedicated to Devi who is said to have killed the demon Mahishasura at this spot. It is said that Rama calmed the sea at this coastal village to install nine stones representing the Navagrahas or the nine planets. People perform religious rites for the fore fathers here.

Uthirakosamangai (72 KM) is an ancient Shiva Temple here, where the deity here is carved in Emerald. The annual Arudhra Festival in December attracts a large number of devotees. The famous Shaivite saint Manickavasagar sang in praise of this temple as the first place where Lord Shiva was consecrated The rare life-size 1.83 metres tall, emerald Nataraja statue that remains covered in sandal paste throughout the year is unveiled for just one day in December on the Arudhra darshanam day. To witness this sacred event, thousands for pilgrims come from all over the country. The temple tower soars into the sky in all its grandeur. The broad pathways and arcades, the tanks and other structures inside the temple compound take you back in time.

Erwadi (80 KM), also known as Navabashanam, this coastal Village has a temple dedicated to Devi who is said to have killed the demon Mahishasura at this spot. It is said that Rama calmed the sea at this coastal village to install nine stones representing the Navagrahas or the nine planets. People perform religious rites for the fore fathers here.

Festival

Festivals are celebrated in the Ramanathaswamy temple, in connection with Thai Amavasi (Jan), Masi Sivarathiri (Feb-Mar), Thirukalyanam (July-Aug) and Mahalaya Amavasi (Sept).