India /Tamil Nadu /Ramanathapuram /Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram is one of the holiest places in Tamil Nadu region in southern India. It is one of the most renowned pilgrim places in the region and is located on a beautiful island in the lower side of India and is separated by a small Pamban channel from Sri Lanka. Rameshwaram is the holiest pilgrimage place for the Hindus.It has one of the famous Jyotirlings in the place which one would like to worship as a part of Hindu culture. The place has several wonderful temples, which are a great master piece of creativity. The place has highest number of wells as well. Together with Kashi, it is considered to be one of the holiest places in India to Hindus. Hence, it is a bustling pilgrim centre.It is situated in the Gulf of Mannar at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. According to legends, this is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge Ram Setu(also known as Adam’s Bridge) across the sea to Lanka to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Shiva to be absolved of the sin of killing Ravana, hence the name of Shiva, which became the name of the town – Rameswara (“lord of Rama”). Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage centre which is known as the Varanasi of the south.
Rameswaram
Quick Facts-Edit
Category : Pilgrim, Jyotirlinga
Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours
Pincode: 623526
STD Code: 4573
Info Website: N.A
Best Time to Visit: Oct – April
HistoryEdit
Ramanathaswamy Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to god Shiva located on the island of Rameshwaram in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where the three of the most revered Nayanars (Saivite Saints), Appar, Sundarar and Tirugnana Sambandar have glorified the temple with their songs. The temple was expanded during the 12th century by Pandya Dynasty, and its principle shrines were renovated by Jeyaveera Cinkaiariyan and his successor Gunaveera Cinkaiariyan of the Jaffna kingdom. The temple has the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India. The temple is located in Rameshwaram, an island town in South India, considered a holy pilgrimage site for Shaivites, Vaishnavites and Smarthas. The Temple is also one of the 12 Jyothirlinga temples, where Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam meaning “pillar of light”.
Places to VisitAdd
Rameshwaram Sightseeing
How to ReachEdit
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 travelers have to get connecting flights from Chennai International airport. Pre-paid taxi services in Madurai airport charge about Rs 3,500 to Rameshwaram.
By Train : Rameshwaram (Mandapan station just 2 km away) is well connected by rail with many south Indian cities including Chennai (Chennai Express), Coimbatore (Jan Shatabdi Exp), Thanjavur (Chennai Exp) and Trichy (Bhubaneshwar Exp).
By BUS : Tamil Nadu Road Transport Corporation buses connect Rameshwaram with all cities in Tamil Nadu, including Kanyakumari, Madurai, Trichy and Thanajvur. Overnight deluxe super fast buses connect Chennai and Bangalore with Rameshwarm, both cities are nearly 600 km away. The bus fare is about Rs 1,700.
By Taxi : A city taxis service is a available on the island.
By Other : Auto rickshaws in the state of Tamil Nadu never run on meter. You will have to fix up a particular price by talking to the driver before boarding the auto rickshaw. Auto rickshaw fares will range around Rs 15 to 30/40. These are the available modes of transport within the city of Rameshwaram and choosing the right mode can be quite challenging. Auto rickshaws will help you in case you are in a hurry and there are no night charges involved too.Cycle rickshaws and tangas are available on the island.
Top HotelsAdd
Budget – Up to Rs. 800
Maharaja Hotel ; Near The Temple, No. 7, Middle Street, Rameshwaram, TN ; Ph – 04573 221 271 ; Facilities – Doctor-on-call, laundry, room service , telephone, TV, travel desk, 24hours H/C running Water.
Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200
Vinayaga Hotel ; No 5 Railway Feeder Road, Rameshwaram, TN ; Ph – 04573 222 361 ; Facilities – Well – furnished rooms, TV, attachedbath, 24hours room service, laundry, parking facility, TV, Doctor-on-call, laundry, room service , telephone, TV, travel desk, 24hours H/C running Water.
Deluxe – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200
Royal Park Hotel ; Semma Madam, Ramnad Highway, Rameshwaram, TN ; Ph – 04573 221 680 ; Facilities – Well – furnished rooms, TV, attachedbath, 24hours room service, laundry, parking facility, TV, all major Credit cards accepted.
Top RestaurantsAdd
- A & H Golden Food Corner ; Ameer Nagar,Rameshwaram Road, Vani, TN 623536 ; M – 088 83 434345 ; Food Serve : Thali
- HOTEL SENTHIL ANDAVAR ; No: 71, Middle Street (West Gate), Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu V P M St, Rameshwaram. ; M – 04573 221 040 ; Food Serve : South Indian
Must Eat FoodAdd
Must Do ActivitiesAdd
Must ShopAdd
Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add
SpaAdd
Vyom – The Spa ; Daiwik Hotel | NH- 49, Madurai Rameshwaram Highway,, Rameshwaram ; Ph/M – 91 4573 301 401 ; Cost: N.A ; Services – traditional Ayurvedic massages and beauty treatments .
FestivalAdd
Safety / WarningEdit
N.A
HelplineEdit
- Police : 100
- Fire : 101
- Ambules :102
ItineraryEdit
Day 1 :
10:00 am – Ramanathaswamy Temple ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
12:00 pm – Pamban Bridge ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
3:00 pm – Uthirakosamangai ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
5:00 pm – Adam’s Bridge ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
Day 2 :
10:00 am – Dhanushkodi Beach ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
12:00 pm – Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam House ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
1:00 pm – Villoondi Tirtham ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
3:00 pm – Jatayu Tirtham Temple ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
Day 3 :
10:00 am – Agni Tirtham ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
11:00 am – Jada Tirtham ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
1:00 pm – Rama Tirtham (Gandamadana) ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
2:00 pm – Pitchavaram Backwater ;Approx. time spent : 4 hrs