At the very tip of the Indian peninsula lies Rameswaram, a serene strip of land that boasts of spectacular natural beauty. Renowned for being a pilgrimage destination, Rameswaram is home to the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple, known for its elaborate corridors and splendidly sculpted pillars. Though lying separated from the mainland of India in the Pamban Island, Rameswaram is connected to the mainland by the magnificent Pamban Bridge.
Considered one of the holiest places for Hindus in India and one among the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites, Rameswaram is also the closest point to Sri Lanka from India. Geological evidences state that once India was connected to Sri Lanka from this point via the Rama Sethu bridge. This quaint town has from time immemorial been a place of great interest and admiration to travellers. It is believed that Lord Rama, on his return after his war with Ravana, offered a repentance prayer to Lord Shiva to absolve his sins he had to commit during the confrontation. One version suggests that the Shiv Linga or the idol in the temple was built as a part of his worship. Another version is that the Shiv Linga was built before his trip to Lanka. However, the temple and the tales that surround it has been a factor of popularity for the town.
Apart from being a place noted for worship, Rameswaram also offers the travellers a shot at leisure through its tranquil beaches. Adventure sports like scuba diving are among the amusements offered in the region. For more information, visit www.rameswaramtourism.org
Bus services are available to Rameswaram Bus Stand on a regular basis from Chennai, Madurai, Puducherry, Trichy and Coimbatore.
Madurai International Airport, about 180 km away.
Rameswaram Railway Station is well connected to Chennai, Coimbatore, Pondicherry and Bengaluru.
The best time to explore Rameswaram is from October to March as the temperature is at its best during this period.
An ideal weekend getaway, the coastal city attracts travellers throughout the year, irrespective of the weather conditions.