Kothandaramaswamy Temple

Kothandaramaswamy Temple

Kothandaramaswamy temple is situated on the southern most tip of India and is situated on the island near Bay of Bengal. Indian Ocean covers it from all its sides. There had been several instances of cyclone in the area but the temple stayed to be intact even in most critical times.

It too has the history and story of Ramayan in its footings. Here, Vibhishana, Ravan's brother joined hands with Rama and hence Vibhishana too is worshiped at this place. The temple has several wonderful paintings all around the walls of it which flows with the flow of Ramayana and one can enjoy being in the temple with the guide who keeps narrating the story at every instance of time.

It is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal Ocean on all four sides and the amazing part is that it has weathered and survived even the most violent storms and cyclones that have battered the island. The temple historical importance lies in being a part of Ramayana. It is here where Ravan's younger brother Vibhishana joined Lord Rama in the war against King Ravana. Hence, Vibhishana is also revered here. The walls are adorned with the marvelous and superb paintings that portray the story of the Ramayana. You can enjoy the temple and its vicinity along with a guide who shall narrate the story all through the trip.

Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi is situated in the South-East of Pamban. Danushkodi is about 18 miles (29 km) West of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. The Dhanushkodi railway line running from Pamban Station was destroyed in the 1964 cyclone and a passenger train with over 100 passengers drowned in the sea.

Dhanushkodi has the only land border between India and Sri Lanka which is one of the smallest in the world-just 50 yards in length on a shoal in Palk Strait. Before the 1964 cyclone, Dhanushkodi was a flourishing tourist and pilgrimage town. Since Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) is just 19 miles (31 km) away, there were many ferry services between Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar of Ceylon, transporting travellers and goods across the sea. There were hotels, textile shops and dharmashalas catering to these pilgrims and travellers. The Railway line to Dhanushkodi–which did not touch Rameshwaram then and destroyed in the 1964 cyclone-went directly from Mandapam to Dhanushkodi. Dhanushkodi in those days had a railway station, a small railway hospital, a higher secondary school, a post office, customs and port offices etc.

The storm was unique in many ways. It all started with a formation of a depression with its centre at 5N 93E in South Andaman Sea on 17 December 1964. On 19 December it intensified into a cyclonic storm. The formation of depression at such low latitudes as 5N is rare in Indian seas though such cases of typhoon development within 5 degrees of Equator has been reported in North Western Pacific. The Rameshwaram storm was not only formed at such low latitude but also intensified into a severe cyclonic storm at about the same latitude is indeed a rare occurrence. After 21 December 1964, its movement was westwards, almost in a straight line, at the rate of 250 miles (400 km) to 350 miles (560 km) per day. On 22 December it crossed Vavunia of Ceylon ( now called Sri Lanka) with a wind velocity of 150 knots (280 km/h), moved into Palk Strait in the night and crashed into Dhanushkodi of Rameshwaram island on the night of 22–23 December 1964. It was estimated that tidal waves were 8 yards high when it crossed Rameshwaram.

Villoondi Theertham

Villoondi Theertham

Villoondi literally translated stands for ‘buried bow’.   It is quite well known that Lord Ram always carried a bow. According to legend, at this sacred spot, located around 7 kilometers from the main temple on the way to Pamban, is this puranic place, significant because it was at this place where Lord Ram is said to have quenched the thirst of Sita by dipping the bow into the sea water. Even to this day, tourists throng this place to see where potable water is available within the vicinity of sea water.

It is considered to be a sacred place by most of the followers of Lord Rama. A single spot where drinking water is available in the midst of salty sea makes the great attraction for the people to visit the place. It has its mythological history even today.

To reach Villoondi Theertham :

By Air:

Madurai is the nearest airport to Rameshwaram, which is located at a distance of 163 km away from Rameshwaram. Madurai is connected to many cities by air including Coimbatore, Chennai and Bangalore. International travellers have to get connecting flights from Chennai International airport. Pre-paid taxi services in Madurai airport charge about Rs 3500 to Rameshwaram.

By Rail:

Rameshwaram (Mandapan station just 2 km away) is well connected by rail with many south Indian cities including Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thanjavur and Trichy.

By Road:

Tamil Nadu Road Transport Corporation buses connect Rameshwaram with all cities in Tamil Nadu, including Kanyakumari, Madurai, Trichy and Thanjavur. Overnight deluxe super fast buses connect Chennai and Bangalore with Rameshwaram; both cities are nearly 600 km away. The bus fare is about Rs 1700.

Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge (Pamban Bridge)

Pamban Bridge

Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge (Pamban Bridge) is the longest bridge in southern India. It connects Rameswaram Island to the main land. It's constructed over the bay. It is 7 kms away from Rameshwaram and is also called the Pambam Bridge as it is located beside Pamban, the sacred place where Rama could quench the thirst of Sita by throwing an arrow in the place where they could actually retrieve cool water.

The place has its historical evidence as well as is a good and strong bridge from the point of construction. The ships too can be passed under the bridge and all other vehicles above the bridge and hence it is most convenient means of communication for all different kinds of means of communication.

According to Dr Narayanan, the bridge is located at the "world's second highly corrosive environment", next to Miami, US, making the construction a challenging job. The location is also a cyclone-prone high wind velocity zone.

Places to See in Rameswaram

1- Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple

2- Agnitheertham

3- Gandamadana Parvatham

4- Sugreevar Temple/Theertham

5- Satchi Hanuman Temple

6- Badrakaliamman Temple

7- The Five-faced Hanuman Temple

8- JadaTheertham

9- Nambu Nayagiamman Temple

10- Kothandaramaswamy Temple

11- Dhanushkodi

12- Villoondi Theertham

13- Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge (Pamban Bridge)

Rameswaram

Rameswaram is a town in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on Pamban Island separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel and is about 50 kilometres from Mannar Island, Sri Lanka. It is located at the very tip of Indian peninsula.

Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, is connected to mainland India by the Pamban Bridge. Rameswaram is the terminus of the railway line from Chennai and Madurai. Together with Kashi, it is considered to be one of the holiest places in India to Hindus, and part of the Char Dham pilgrimages. Hence, it is a bustling pilgrim centre.

According to history, Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana were adviced by Rishis to install and worship Sivalinga here to expiate the sin of Brahmahatya (killing of a Brahmin). (Ravana, the son of Vishrava and the great grandson of Brahma). Rama fixed an auspicious time for the installation and sent Anjaneya to Mount Kailas to bring a lingam. As Anjaneya could not return in time, Sita herself made a linga of sand. When Anjaneya returned with a linga from Mount Kailas the rituals had been over. To comfort the disappointed Anjaneya, Rama had Anjaneya’s lingam (Visvalingam) also installed by the side of Ramalinga, and ordained that rituals be performed first to the Visvalingam.

Travel to Rameswaram

By plane :- Nearest Airport in Madurai - 174 km Indian Airlines connect’s Madurai with Chennai, Thiruchi, Bangalore and Mumbai.

By train :- Connected with all major cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, Karaikudi, Trichy, Thanjavur and Palghat.

By road :- Connected with all important towns of Tamil Nadu, City Buses are available including night services. Point to Point services, Tourist taxi, auto / cycle rickshaws and horse carts are also available.The taxi charges for a small car (Indica) is around Rupees 5 per KM. It costs around Rupees 1800 for return trip from Madurai to Rameswaram. Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport corporation ( APSRTC ) operates Rameswaram – Tripathi daily service.