Rameswaram is a municipality in the Ramanathapuram district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Rameswaram is famous for the Ramanathaswamy Temple, a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus. Located in the center of the town, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva, where Lord Shiva is worshiped as Jyotirlinga. There are twenty-two holy water sources (theerthas) inside the temple premises and a long dip in these theerthas is considered to get rid of all sins and is tantamount to penance. This holy place is said to be the place where Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, offered his gratitude to Lord Shiva for killing the demon king Ravana. Hence, the religious importance of this shrine makes it a favorite place for pilgrims from all over the world.
The best time to visit Rameshwaram is from October to February. Rameswaram is visited by tourists from all over the world during the months of October to February. Rameshwaram is situated just 1403 kilometers away from Sri Lanka and is the nearest transit point to gain access to its breathtaking tropical beauty. It is perfectly situated on the beautiful island of Pampan in the Gulf of Munnar, just off the Indian mainland at the tip of the Indian Peninsula.
What are the best places to visit in Rameswaram?
1. Ramanathaswamy Temple:
Ramanathaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva located on Rameswaram island. It is also one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where three of the most revered Nayanars (Saivite saints), Appar, Sundarar and Tirugnana Sambandar, have glorified the temple with their songs.
The temple has the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India. It was built by King Muthuramalinga Sethupathiy. The temple, located in Rameswaram, is considered a holy pilgrimage site for Shaivites, Vaishnavites and Smarthas. Mythological accounts depict the presiding deity, the Lingam of Ramanathaswamy (Shiva), as having been established and worshiped by Rama, before he crossed his bridge to the present-day island of Sri Lanka.
An architectural grandeur in the Dravidian style in every sense, this temple has the longest corridors in the world with ornate carvings on the body of the pillars. Pilgrims flock to this temple every year, especially on Mahashivratri to seek blessings and take a dip in the holy waters of the Agni Theertha. This he Bay of Bengal. Many souvenir shops are surrounding the temple where one can buy trinkets for friends and loved ones and spread the blessings of the temple.
Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526.
Visiting Hours: 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Morning) 3:00PM - 9:00 PM ( Evening).
Best time to visit: October- April.
2.Rama Setu:
Rama Setu is a historical bridge which dates back to the mythological history. Rama Setu, also known as Adam’s Bridge. The bridge is a naturally formed chain of limestone rocks that starts from Dhanushkodi, the tip of India's Pampan Island and can be seen from a distance. According to geological evidence, this bridge was a passage connecting India and Sri Lanka and was passable on foot till the 15th century.
When a hurricane in 1480 deepened the channel, it became fragmented. According to the Indian epic Ramayana, Lord Rama built the bridge to reach Lanka and save his wife Sita from Ravana. Mysteriously, oceanographic studies have stated the age of the natural bridge to be 7000 years old, and interestingly, carbon dating of the beaches near Dhanushkodi and Mannar Island have been syncretized with the Ramayana period.
Location: Between Pamban Island and MannarIsland, Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, 623526, India
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Visiting Hours: Sunday to Monday 12:00 am – 12:00 am
3. Ariyaman Beach:
Considered one of the most serene and tranquil beaches in Tamil Nadu, Arayaman Beach offers a dazzling stretch of 2 km long, 21 km away from the hustle and bustle of Rameswaram. Calm waves, calm atmosphere, gentle breeze, lush greenery and extreme cleanliness attract many tourists throughout the year.
A visit to this beach will undoubtedly help you unwind and relax from the religious tour of Rameswaram. People who want to indulge in some adventurous activities like windsurfing, boating and parasailing have many alternatives on the beach.
There is also a watch tower located here, offering mesmerizing view of the vast ocean and the surrounding areas. There are other facilities as well such as swimming pool, boating facility and thundershower. Various kinds of watersports such as windsurfing, water scooter, parasailing where you can go about 200 meters above while being controlled by a moving boat, are also offered at this beach. There is also an aquariums and museum located quite nearby.
Location: Sattakkonvalasai, Tamil Nadu, 623516, India
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Visiting Hours: Sunday to Monday 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
4. Dhanushkodi:
If you seek the roads less traveled and embrace pure isolation, Dhanushkodi is a must-have on your itinerary. An abandoned town on the southeastern tip of the Indian mainland, it has attracted the attention of thrill-seekers looking for an adventurous escape. This beautiful city stands at the confluence of the blue waters of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal.
Dhanushkodi was once a thriving area with all the basic amenities. Unfortunately, the bustling city was hit by a storm in 1964 and destroyed everything. After the disaster, the Government of India declared it an uninhabitable place, and today Dhanushkodi stands as a mere ruin that seems frozen in time.
Location: Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, 623526, India
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Visiting Hours: Sunday to Monday 6:00 am – 6:00 pm
Agniteertham:
Agnitheertham is said to have been erected at the place where Rama worshiped Lord Shiva to wash away his sins by defeating Ravana. It is one of the crucial places to visit in Rameswaram. Located right on the shore, this theertha is lined with large gate-like structures that invite devotees and tourists to take a dip in the water to wash away one's sins. At a distance of 2 km from Rameshwaram Railroad Station
As one of the most visited tourist spots in Rameswaram, Agnitheertha is one of the most beautiful views of the sky and horizon as you hear chants, holy prayers and the aroma of incense.
Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
Visiting Hours: 5:00 AM to 6:00PM (Monday to Sunday).
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee only 60 rupees Puja fee.
Best time to visit: Early mornings on Weekdays to avoid the rush.
Five Faced Hanuman Temple:
Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple AKA five-faced Hanuman temple is situated at a distance of 2 km from Sri Ramanathaswamy Sanctuary in Rameshwaram and is known to be devoted to Lord Hanuman. The temple stands tall in its white color and stands out in the busy streets of Rameswaram. Lord Hanuman is believed to have unveiled his 5 faces here, making this place extremely sacred and one of the most visited major places in Rameswaram.
The temple has a large five-faced idol of Hanuman, which is worshiped by many visitors and decorated with flowers, and the tirtha also resides in the floating stones used to build the bridge by Rama and his monkey army. The temple has many interesting stories to listen to while sitting under the many trees nearby.
Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
Visiting Hours: 6:00 AM to 7:00PM (Monday to Sunday).
Best time to visit: Early mornings on Weekdays to avoid the rush.
Villoondi Theertham
Villoondi Theertham is a sacred natural body of water and a beach that is considered a favorite among tourists. There is also a spring inside the sea which makes the attraction unique and is often associated with the epic Ramayana. It is believed that Lord Rama shot an arrow to create this spring to help his people with drinking water.
Location: Kochi - Dhanushkodi Rd, Tamil Nadu, 623529, India
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Visiting Hours: Sunday to Monday 6:00 am – 7:00 pm
Gandhamadhana Parvatham:
Gandhamadhana Parvatham is the deity of many communities in South India and Gandhamadhana Temple is highly revered, famous and worshiped in South India. This two-storied temple has Lord Rama's feet enshrined in the wheel placed in the temple. Devotees and pilgrims like to visit this holy place and offer their prayers at the feet of Lord Rama. It is one of the most important places of historical importance. There are many other pilgrimage sites around Mount Gandhamadhana which can be visited while on pilgrimage.
Gandamadana Parvatham is another place to visit in Rameshwaram. Also known as Rama Theertham, this shrine has the marks of lord Rama’s feet on a chakra when he has gone there to search for Goddess Sita who was abducted by demon Ravana. Located on a hillock, at a distance of 3 km from Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple.
There are other shrines too which are located nearby such as Satchi Hanuman Temple and Sukreevar Teertham. It is also located close to another popular shrine Danushkodi Temple. This temple, dedicated to Lord Rama, is located on the top of the hills called Gandamadana Parvatham. Inside the temple, footprints of Lord Rama have been kept on a Chaka.
Location: GP Road, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, 623526, India
Entry Fee: No entry Fee
Visiting Hours: Sunday to Monday 7:00 am – 1:00 pm
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Lakshmana Tirtham:
Lakshmana Theertham was built in loving memory of Lord Rama's brother Lakshmana. This temple was built in Rameswaram itself to offer sacred prayers to Lord Lakshmana, indicating that Lakshmana was given a valuable position in Lord Rama's dynasty. This temple, which has been built in Dravidian style of architecture, has an attractive structure with carved pillar depicting statues of deities and instances from Ramayana.
The temple has carved idols of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshmana, and Goddess Sita. There are also marble statues of Lord Lakshmana. The carvings inside the temple represent the immense devotion of Lord Lakshmana towards Goddess Sita and Lord Rama. Lakshmana Theertham is located just 1 km away from Rameshwaram Temple and has many popular other shrines situated nearby. It is close to Rama Theertham, Sita Theertham and Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple. It is believed that before offering his prayers, Lord Lakshmana had taken a bath in this pond.
Another attractive feature of this theertham is that during the Thaipusam festival floating car procession is organized at the Lakshmana Theertham.
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Location : Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, 623526, India
Visiting Hours: Sunday to Monday 6:00 am – 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Sea World Aquarium:
Sea World Aquarium is a famous attraction with a splendid collection from the sea world. They have a number of aquatic species that thrive in the oceans like the Shark, Rabbit Fish, Lobsters and Octopus. They also sell items made of seashells that tourists can purchase as memorabilia.
Location: DhOpposite To Rameswaram Bus Stand, Rameswaramanushkodi, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, 623526, India
Entry Fee: No entry Fee
Visiting Hours: Sunday to Monday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Pamban Bridge / Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge in Rameshwaram
Pamban Bridge is another attraction in Rameshwaram that is worth visiting when on a Rameshwaram tour. It is the first sea bridge to be constructed in India. With a length of 2.3 km (road bridge) and 2.6 km (rail bridge), this bridge is built on artificial sandstone and has been created in the shape of an arch. It has about 43 pillars supporting the structure and around 64 pillars which have been built in the sea itself.It is located at a distance of 7 km from Rameshwaram. It is the first sea bridge to be constructed in India. Built as a part of South Indian Railway project, this bridge was completed in 1912, its construction was started in the year of 1887.
Around the same time, Neel Mandir temple was also constructed. In 1988, a road bridge was also constructed parallel to the rail bridge. This road bridge is also known as Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge. The Pamban rail bridge is also considered to be the longest rail bridge. This railway bridge has been upgraded to carry broad gauge trains by Indian Railways in 2007.
Location: Pamban Bridge, Pamban, Tamil Nadu, 623519, India
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Visiting Hours: Sunday to Monday 12:00 am – 12:00 am
Water Bird Sanctuary in Rameshwaram
The town of Rameshwaram, owing to a wide number of water tanks, attracts birds from everywhere. From native birds to a large number of migratory birds, one can spot a wide array of avian fauna here. Most of the native birds come for the purpose of feeding, while migratory birds fly down for breeding. Birds from as far as Europe and Australia visit this sanctuary for breeding.
The best time to visit the sanctuary is during northeast monsoon season as from month of October to January, many migratory water birds flew down here. Along with visiting this bird sanctuary, tourists can visit other sanctuaries if time allows and make their Rameswaram tour more interesting. Some of the nearby sanctuaries are Kanjiramkulam and Chitrangudi sanctuaries located in Ramanathapuram and Arichamunai Bird Sanctuary located in Dhanuskodi.
Location: Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, 623526, India
Entry Fee: No entry Fee
Visiting Hours: Visiting time of Water Bird Sanctuary is from 7 in morning to 6 in evening.
Holy Island Water Sports in Rameshwaram
Holy Island Water Sports make a Rameshwaram tour all the more exciting with its wide array of adventure activities. Started in November 2014, it presents tourists an amazing range of thrilling activities while the mesmerizing scenic beauty makes the entire experience all the more enjoyable. Various kinds of recreational activities including a number of water sports and dry games, sports like snorkeling and scuba diving, welcome visitors into a world of fun and entertainment. Safety of the visitors is also taken care in many ways including safety guards to assist visitors and equipments like life jackets, etc.
Located on the Holy Island Beach in Sangumall, it is only 1.7 away from Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple. The opening time of Holy Island Water sports is from 10 Am to 7 PM. It is open on all days of the week. For safety, every person is required to wear life jacket and take the necessary step. Below is the list of the sports one can try here Jet Ski, Kayaking, Standup Board, Windsurfing, Banana Boat Rides and Coral watching Ride. Along with this, the option of Snorkeling and Scuba Diving is also available.
Location: Holy Island Beach, Sangumall, Olaikudda, Ramanathapuram, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, 623529, India
Entry fee: Rs 5 per person (exclusive of Rides)
Rs 300 per trip for Jet Ski/ Water Scooter
Rs 70 per person for Water Ball
Rs 50 per person for Bungee Run
Rs 200 per hour for Kayaking
Rs 20 per kid for Jumping ride
Visiting Hours: Sunday to Monday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Thirupullani Temple / Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple in Rameshwaram
This ancient temple attracts visitors not only for its sanctity but also for its historical background and architectural excellence. Located at a distance of around 70 km from Rameshwaram, Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple, popularly known as Thirupullani Temple, is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple is visited by most of the devotees on their Rameshwaram tour. In this Thirupullani temple, the main deity is Lord Dharba Sayana Rama.
Built during the reign of Cholas, various contributions were made to this temple during Pandyan rule and the rule of Sethupathy Kings. It is now maintained by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of Tamil Nadu Government. The speciality of this temple is that Lord has been shown in reclining posture. There are also separate shrines for Goddess Padmasini, who is the consort of Lord Adi Jagannatha, Goddess Shridevi, Goddess Bhudevi, Lord Krishna. The image of Lord Krishna in this temple has been shown depicting Lord dancing on a snake.
Built in the Dravidian style of architecture, this temple captivates its visitors with its structural beauty. One of the main attractions of Thirupullani temple is its gopuram with an eight of 120 ft. The temple tank, known with the name of Chakra theertham, is another prominent feature of this temple. This theertham filled clear water is a sight worth admiring too. This temple has been mentioned in the Tamil epic, Kamba Ramayanam. Thirumangai Azhwar also sung about this Sri Adi Jagannatha Perumal temple and its glory in his hymns.
Location: Thiruppulani, Tamil Nadu, 623532, India
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Visiting Hours: Sunday to Monday 7:00 am – 12:30 pm
3:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Devipatnam in Rameshwaram
Devipatnam is one among the three prominent shrines of South Coast Tamil Nadu. Devipatnam, along with Rameshwaram and Thiruppullani are associated with the Hindu sacred epic Ramayana. Also known as Navapashanam, this holy town is famous for the Navagraha Temple, which is visited by almost every devotee. Devipatnam is also a popular shrine to visit during Rameshwaram tour. Devipattinam temple is associated with Lord Rama. There are many legends related to this ancient temple.
There is one more legend associated with Devipatnam. According to another legend, Devipatnam is the place where Goddess Parvathi had put an end to the atrocities of demon Mahishasura. Some of the shrines that are located nearby are Kadaladaitta Perumal, Tilakeswarar and Lokanayaki.
Location: Devipattinam, Tamil Nadu, 623514, India
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Visiting Hours: Sunday to Monday 4:00 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 8:30 pm