Places of Attractions

Rameswaram

An island in the Gulf of Mannar, is connected to the mainland at Mandapam by rail and road. It is shaped in the form of conch, like the one in Lord Maha Vishnu's hand. Kashi-Rameswaram is the ultimate in a Hindu pilgrim's progress towards salvation. 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.

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple

This temple situated near the sea on the eastern side of the island is renowned for its magnificent prakaras or corridors with massive sculptured pillars on either side. The longest corridor in the world is here and it is 197 metres long from East to West and is 133 metres wide from South-North. The temple has a Gopuram 38.4 metres tall. Different rulers built the temple as it stands today, at different periods from the 12th century A.D. Pooja is performed for an hour early morning daily to the Spadikalingamthat was given by the Shankaracharya to this temple.

Agnitheertham

Sri Ramanathaswamy temple faces east. The seashore, about 100 metres from the main entrance of the temple, is very calm and therefore ideal for bathing. The water at this place is considered sacred and known as Agni theertham. Pilgrims perform poojas in honour of their ancestors at this seashore.

Gandamadana Parvatham

It is a hillock situated 3 kms away and is the highest point in the island. Here one can see the imprint of Lord Rama’s feet on a chakra. The entire island of Rameswaram is visible from this point.

Sugreevar Temple/Theertham

It is situated on the way to Gandamadana Parvatham near the Doordarshan Kendra.

Satchi Hanuman Temple

This temple is considered to be the place where Hanuman delivered the good news of finding Sita to Rama with satchi or evidence, Choodamani or the jewel that belonged to Sita. Situated 3 kms from the main temple, on the way to the Gandamadana Parvatham.

Badrakaliamman Temple

This is a temple for Devi Durga, situated 2 kms from the main temple on the way to the Gandamadana Parvatham.

The Five-faced Hanuman Temple

This temple is 2 kms from the main temple, 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.

Jada Theertham

About 3.5 km from Rameswaram on the Dhanushkodi road. Legend has it that Lord Rama, on his way back after killing Ravana, Worshipped Sri Ramalinga (believed to be installed by him). Before doing so, he washed his hair (Jada) in this theertham to purify himself.

Nambu Nayagiamman Temple

This temple is greatly venerated by the people of Ramnad District. It is situated 8 kms from the main temple in Rameswaram on the way to Dhanushkodi.

Kothandaramaswamy Temple

This temple is located 12 kms away from Rameswaram. A popular belief is that Vibishana, brother of Ravana, surrendered before Rama here.

Dhanushkodi (18 kms)

The southern tip of the island, Dhanushkodi was completely washed away by the 1964 cyclone. Tourists can witness the remains of the devastated town. Tourists can do surfing here.

This is a strip of land about one km wide and 18 kms long on the eastern end of Rameswaram island. On one side are the waters of the Indian Ocean and on the other the waters of the Bay of Bengal. The two seas otherwise known as Ratnakaran and Mahodadhi with their confluence is shaped like a bow while the strip of land resemble an arrow poised for release. Devout Hindus consider the Adi Sethu or the arrowhead, a sacred place to perform religious rites. It is also place worth visiting for its scenic beauty and bird life.

Villoondi Theertham

This Theertham is situated 7 kms from the main temple on the way to Pamban.

Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge (12 kms)

It is also known as the Pamban Bridge that connects the Rameswaram island with the main land. It is the longest sea bridge in India and its length is nearly 2.2 kms and stands as a fine example for Indian architecture. The bridge was constructed with sufficient elevation. The islands near by and parallel rail bridge below can be viewed from this bridge.

Kurusadai Island (23 kms)

This island can be seen off the main land of Ramanathapuram in the Gulf of Mannar. It is a Marine Biosphere, a paradise for the Marine Biologists and Nature lovers. Marine wealth abounds here and this attracts many a scholar and researcher to this Island. It is about 4 kms from Mandapam. The Fisheries Department gives permission to visit this Island. Off Kurusadai Island one can see plenty of coral reefs, and marine life such as the dolphins and sea cows or the Dugong. There is much potential here for eco-tourism, scholars and ecologists.

Ramalingavilasam Palace

This palace in Ramanathapuram that is currently under renovation. The Sethupathi Rajas built the palace in the latter part of the 17th century. The colourful, huge murals painted with natural dyes depict everything from business meetings to military conflicts. They are truly breathtaking to behold. The palace also houses a museum of the weapons used by the Sethupathis in the various wars.

Water Bird Sanctuary

There are around five hundred water tanks in Ramanathapuram District and most of these are happy hunting grounds for water birds from October to January during the north-east monsoon season. The native birds come for feeding, while the migratory birds, from as far as Europe and Australia, come for breeding. The Arichamunai Bird Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi, the Kanjirankulam and Chittirankudi Sanctuaries on the mainland in Ramanathapuram are a paradise for bird watchers. October to January is a good time to visit Ramanathapuram and explore these sanctuaries.

Devipattinam (70 kms)

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. The Hindus perform religious rites for the forefathers here.

Uthirakosamangai (72 kms)

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 kms)

The tomb of Sultan Ibrahim Syed Aulia who came from Arabia via Cannanore is about 800 years old. Pilgrims visit it from Sri Lanka, Malaysia. and Singapore. The Sandanakoodu festival is held in honour of this Muslim saint.

Uppoor (85 kms)

There is a Vinayagar temple at this place. It is said that Lord Rama worshipped the Vinayagar here on his way to Lanka.

Ariyaman Beach

On the side of Palk Bay in Ramanathapuram district, is the Ariyaman Beach.It is a much sought after tourist spot because the waters here are calm and the waves gentle. The beach is clean and fringed by casuarina trees that offer shade to those who like to picnic here. The watchtower and children's park are ever popular. Adding to the attraction are the waterside attractions with water scooters and wind surfing, and for the less adventurous the aquarium and museum.

Pamban Road Bridge

This engineering marvel took 14 years to complete and was inaugurated in 1988. It is designed like a bow over the sea to allow ships to pass beneath it.

The bridge is 2.34 km. long, with a clearance of 24.4 mts. and it is supported by 79 pillars, 64 of which are built in the sea.

Pamban Rail Scissors Bridge

Connecting the island of Rameswaram to the mainland, this 2.06 km. long rail bridge was built in 1913. with stones brought from a distance of 320 km. and sand from 160 kms. The bridge was constructed on 145 stone pillars. A portion of the bridgeopens up likes a pair of scissors to let the ship pass under it. On December 22,1964, a devastating cyclone destroyed part of this bridge. The Indian engineers rebuilt it in exactly 45 days and made it operational once again. November to February, when the birds are in residence.

Tirupullani (64 kms)

Also known as Dharbasayanam, the Vishnu Temple here is dedicated to Lord Adi Jaganathaperumal.

Sethukarai (68kms)

This is a pilgrim centre.

Mandapam (18 kms)

This place connects Rameswaram with the mainland. A boat ride to Kurusadai Island can be arranged from here.

Ramanathapuram (55 kms)

Apart from being the district headquarters, this is an ancient town where the Sethupathis ruled their territory. The Ramalinga Vilasam Palace has some good paintings and the tomb of the philosopher saint Thayumana Swamigal.