The
sacred island town of Rameshwaram at the extreme south-eastern limit of the
Indian Peninsula. Rameshwaram is the Varanasi of the south and a major
pilgrimage centre for both Shaivaites and Vaishnavaites as it was here that
Rama offered thanks to Shiva. At the town's core is the Ramanathaswamy
Temple, one of the most important temples in southern India. A fine example
of South Indian architecture, the temple is renowned for its many pillared
(and often painted) corridors, about 1220 metres in length.
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. 14 years to build and was opened by Rajiv Gandhi late
in 1988.
Rameshwaram is hallowed by the epic Ramayana. A devout Hindu who visits
Varanasi is expected to visit Rameshwaram also for the culmination of his
quest for salvation. Rama sanctified this place by worshipping Lord Siva
after the war against Ravana. Therefore, it is held sacred by Saivites and
Vaishnavites as well. It is one of the major marine food centres in the
south, much of its fish and prawn catch being exported
According to the Hindu mythology i.e. the story of Ramayana Lord Rama
performed thanksgiving rituals to Lord Rama after the battle at Sri Lanka
and his triumph over the demon king Ravana. Owing to this Rameshwaram
attracts Vaishnavites (worshippers of Lord Vishnu) and Saivites (worshippers
of Lord Shiva) alike. Sri Lanka is at a distance of 24 kilometers from
Rameshwaram. In fact the entire area of Rameshwaram is associated with
various incidents from the Ramayana. Rameshwaram happens to one of the most
visited pilgrim sites in India.
Nearest
airport Madurai (167 kms) is connected by Indian Airlines flights with
Bombay, Calicut and Madras.
Rameshwaram is connected by rail directly to Madras, Madurai, Trichy and
Coimbatore where Madras is connected with all the main places in India.
Rameshwaram is connected by regular bus services with Kanyakumari 320 kms,
Karaikudi 149 kms, Madras 666 kms, Madurai 167 kms, Ramanathapuram 55 kms,
Sivaganga 136 kms, Pudukottai 188 kms, Tanjore 248 kms, Tuticorin 180 kms,
Tiruchendur 209 kms etc.
Rameshwaram
Temple
