 Rameshwaram is an island situated in the gulf of manner at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. The religious island is spread in an area of 61.8 square kilometers and happens to be in the shape of a conch. Rameshwaram is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. The presiding deity is the Linga Of Sri Ranganatha, which happens to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. In order to attain Moksha it is believed that the visit to Rameshwaram is mandatory. Sri Lanka is at a distance of 24 kilometers from Rameshwara.
 The Ramanatha Swamy Temple occupies major area of Rameshwaram. The masterpiece of Dravidian architecture boasts of the largest temple corridor in India. Different rulers built the Ramanatha Swamy Temple over a period of time starting from the 12th century. The temple comprises of twenty-two wells where the taste of the water of each well is different from the other. |
Rameswaram is well connected by roads and bus services to all the major cities nearby, especially, Trichy, Madurai and Chennai.
(DISTANCE BY ROAD) |
FROM |
TO |
KILOMETERS |
TRAVELLING TIME |
Chennai |
Rameswaram |
583 |
10 hrs. |
Madurai |
Rameswaram |
167 |
4 hrs. |
Trichy |
Rameswaram |
264 |
6 hrs. |
BY TRAIN: Rameshwaram is well connected with railway network from Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore & Trichy. The 2 km long Indira Gandhi Bridge connects the island of Rameshwaram with the mainland of Mandapam. |
CONNECTION
BY TRAIN |
NAME OF
THE TRAIN |
DEPARTURE |
ARRIVAL |
DAYS OF
OPERATION |
Chennai Rameswaram Express |
2015 hrs. |
1320 hrs. |
Daily |
Chennai Rameswaram Sethu Exp. |
1300 hrs. |
0650 hrs. |
Daily |
Coimbatore-Rameswaram |
2245 hrs. |
0500 hrs. |
Daily |
| BY AIR: The nearest airport is at Madurai, 163 km from Rameshwaram. |
- Ramanathaswamy Temple:
Ramnathswamy temple was built in the 17th century. Situated close to the sea on the eastern side of the island, this temple is famous for its 1200 gigantic granite columns. The 54 metre tall gopuram (gate-tower), 1220 metres of magnificent corridors and the flamboyant columns embellish and render fame to the temple. The water in each of the 22 sacred wells in the temple tastes different.
- Agnitheertham
100 metres away from the temple is Agnitheertham, where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, to absolve himself from the killing Ravana.
- Gandamadana Parvatham
The imprint of Lord Rama's feet placed on a Chakra (wheel) is found in this shrine which is at the highest point on the island at 2 km from Rameswaram.
- Dhanushkodi
Dhanushkodi named after Rama's bow, is at the eastern end of the island at a distance of 8 kms from Rameshwaram. The boulders around the sea between Srilanka and this place known as Adam's bridge, are believed to be used by Hanuman to reach across Srilanka. Dhanushkodi was completely destroyed by the cyclones of 1964. Kothandaramaswamy temple is the only salvage of the cyclone. Idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vibhishana (brother of Ravana), surrendered to Rama, here.
- 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.
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