About Rameshwaram

Country: India | State: Tamilnadu

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Rameshwaram: Madurai (174 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Rameshwaram: July to August & November to March

Peak Season: July to August & February to March

At a distance of 171 km from Madurai, 230 km from Trichy, 227 km from Tirunelveli, 311 km Kanyakumari, 387 km from Pondicherry, 371 km from Trivandrum, 562 km from Chennai, and 607 km from Bangalore, Rameshwaram is a religious town situated in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in India, and among the best places to visit in Tamilnadu.

Rameshwaram Temple is one of the most famous Shiva shrines in India and is one of the top attractions you must include in Rameshwaram tour packages. It is significant for Hindus as a pilgrimage to Banaras is incomplete without a Pilgrimage to Rameswaram. According to the legend, Rameswaram is the place from where Lord Rama, built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita from Ravana. This is also the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to cleanse away the sin of killing Ravana. Both the Vaishnavites and Shaivites visit this pilgrimage which is known as the Varanasi of South. Rameswaram along with Dwarka, Puri and Badrinath form the four Char Dhams.

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Agnitheertham, Gandamadana Parvatham, Dhanushkodi, Kothandaraswamy Temple and Erwadi are the popular places to visit in Rameshwaram. Sri Ramanathaswamy temple (Rameswaram Temple) is one of the most fascinating temples in entire India. This is renowned for its magnificent corridors and massive sculptured pillars. The third corridor of Ramanathaswamy temple is the longest one in the world. The presiding deity here is in the form of a Linga with the name Sri Ramanathaswamy, it also happens to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. This temple stands as an epitome of Dravidian architectural style of the medieval ages.

Rameshwaram is one of the popular pilgrimage places to visit near Madurai. There are about 64 thirthas situated in Rameshwaram, of which, 24 are considered as important. Bathing in these Tirthas is a major aspect of the pilgrimage to Rameswaram and is considered equivalent to penance. Twenty-two of the Tirthas are within the Ramanathaswami Temple. Ramanathapuram, Tirupullani, Uthirakosamangai, Sethu are the nearby attractions to Island of Rameshwaram. Beautiful beaches at Olaikuda, Danushkodi and Pamban are other attractions apart from the religious point of view. Scuba diving and Migratory birds watching during winter are the activities here.

Rameshwaram is located on the Pamban Island, which lies at the very tip of the Indian peninsula in the Gulf of Mannar. Pamban Island, which is separated from the mainland of India by the Pamban Channel, is connected by the Pamban Bridge or Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge.

The nearest airport to Rameshwaram is at Madurai, which is located at a distance of 176 km. Rameshwaram Railway Station is well connected by rail to major cities of Tamil Nadu like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Thanjavur and Trichy. Rameshwaram is well connected by bus with Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Madurai, Pondicherry, Trichy and Thanjavur.

The best time to visit Rameshwaram is July to August & November to March while the peak season is July to August & February to March. Usually it takes 1-2 days to visit Rameshwaram.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 04573
Languages Spoken: Tamil, Hindi & English
Major Festivals: Maha Shiva Ratri (Feb-Mar),
Vasanthotsavam (May-June),
Thiru Kalyanam (July-Aug),
Navarathri Festival (Sep-Oct)
Notes/Tips:
Avoid peak summer if you are travelling with kids when the weather is too hot & humid.

How to Reach Rameshwaram

By Air

Nearest Airport: Madurai - Madurai Airport (174 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Rameswaram Railway Station (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Rameswaram Central Bus Station (3 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Rameshwaram

#1 of 24 Places to Visit in Rameshwaram

At a distance of 2 km from Rameswaram Railway Station, Ramanathaswamy Temple is a Hindu temple located on Rameswaram Island in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the top pilgrimage sites in India, and among the must include places in Rameswaram Tour Packages.

Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the twelve jyotirlinga temples in India. It is also recognized as one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, which are revered sites glorified by the Nayanars (Shaivite poet-saints) such as Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandar through their devotional songs. Additionally, it is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage destinations. The religious importance of this temple can be seen from the popular belief according to which a visit to pilgrimage Kashi is incomplete without a visit to Rameswaram temple.

The temple's legend is closely linked to Lord Rama from the Indian epic, the Ramayana. According to tradition, .....

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#2 of 24 Places to Visit in Rameshwaram

At a distance of 2 km from Rameshwaram Railway Station (just 100 meters away from east entrance of Rameshwaram Temple), Agnitheertham is said to be the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to wash off his sins of killing Ravana. It is one of the prime place to visit on a Rameshwaram trip.

It is a sacred place and piligrims believe that taking a bath in Bay of Bengal at Agniteertham will washout one's sins of life time. It is visited by the followers of Lord Shiva as well as Vishnu, whose incarnation was lord Rama.

The sea here is very calm and ideal for bathing.

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#3 of 24 Places to Visit in Rameshwaram

At a distance of 12 km from Rameshwaram, Pamban Bridge is a railway bridge located near Rameshwaram. It is India's first sea bridge, and among the popular Rameshwaram tourist places.

Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge or Pamban Bridge connects the town of Mandapam in mainland India with Pamban Island, and Rameswaram. Opened for traffic in 1914, it is the longest sea bridge in India (2.2 km) until the opening of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in 2010. The construction of this bridge has left many engineers wondering as it stands tall and strong even today. The ships too can pass under the bridge and hence it is most convenient means of commutation. It is one of the most visited places as part of Rameshwaram packages.

In 1988, a road bridge was also constructed parallel to the rail bridge. This road bridge is also known as Indira Gandhi Road Bridge. The .....

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#4 of 24 Places to Visit in Rameshwaram

At a distance of 15 km from Ramanathapuram, and 65 km from Rameshwaram, Devipattinam is a beautiful coastal village situated in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamilnadu. It is one of the popular Rameshwaram places to visit.

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. According to the legend, Lord Rama when going to war to kill Ravana had worshipped navagrahas by installing nine different stones, each symbolizing the nine celestial bodies to calmed the sea. It is said that since then, 9 navagraha stones are located in the sea, at a distance of about 100 meters from the seashore. These can be seen in the morning when the level of seawater is low; however in the evenings when the tides are high, most of the navagraha stones are submerged in the water.

This small .....

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#5 of 24 Places to Visit in Rameshwaram

At a distance of 6 km from Rameswaram Railway Station, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam National Memorial is a memorial located in Peikarumbu, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the must-include places in Rameswaram heritage tour packages.

Spanning an area of 2.11 acres, the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Memorial honors the legacy of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India. This memorial was designed and constructed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as a tribute to Kalam, often referred to as India's missile man, and also showcasing the rich cultural heritage and ethnic diversity of the nation. The official inauguration took place in 2017, led by Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India.

As a representation of national unity, the memorial combines elements of Mughal and Indian architectural styles. It features three entrances, with the main entrance resembling the India Gate, .....

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#6 of 24 Places to Visit in Rameshwaram

At a distance of 3.5 km from Rameswaram, Sangumal Beach is a serene beach situated right next to the Agni Theertham village. It is one of the secluded places to visit in Rameswaram.

Sangumal Beach is located adjacent to the village of Agni Theertham. Renowned as one of the finest beaches in Rameswaram along the eastern coastline of Tamil Nadu, Sangumal Beach offers an ideal setting for those in search of adventure, relaxation, or a romantic getaway. The stunning landscapes that blend harmoniously with the azure sea create a captivating visual experience.

Visitors are welcomed by breathtaking natural scenery and a tranquil atmosphere complemented by crystal-clear waters. Although the beach is predominantly sandy and somewhat untamed, it serves as an excellent retreat for those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy some peaceful moments. Additionally, the beach is recognized as a popular .....

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#7 of 24 Places to Visit in Rameshwaram

At a distance of 23 km from Rameswaram, Sea World Aquarium is an aquarium located inside the campus of The Regional Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Mandapam. It is one of the prominent tourist places in Rameswaram.

The Sea World Aquarium in Rameswaram showcases an extensive array of exotic marine species. Established by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), a prominent marine research institution in India, this exceptional aquarium provides a remarkable opportunity to explore the splendor and variety of the underwater ecosystem. For enthusiasts of marine life, this destination is a must-visit on any Rameswaram travel itinerary.

The aquarium is home to approximately 1,100 species of fish, alongside 180 types of corals, 152 varieties of sponges, 220 crabs and hermit crabs, 200 tube-dwelling worms, 125 prawns, stomatopods, and 370 different sea shells. .....

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#8 of 24 Places to Visit in Rameshwaram

At a distance of 14 km from Rameswaram Railway Station, Kunthukal Beach is a secluded beach located in a small fishing village named Kunthukal. It is one of the offbeat places to visit as part of Rameswaram couple packages.

Nestled in the tranquil surroundings of Pamban Island in Rameswaram, Kunthukal Beach serves as a charming tourist destination where visitors can enjoy a peaceful retreat while spending quality time with family and friends away from the chaos of urban life. The beach features crystal-clear blue waters with gentle tides, making it an ideal location for relaxation and a safe place for individuals of all ages, including children.

A prominent attraction at the beach is the Vivekananda Memorial Hall, located nearby. This memorial was established to honor Swami Vivekananda's return to India on January 26, 1897, following his participation in the 'Parliament of World Religions' in Chicago. Prior .....

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#9 of 24 Places to Visit in Rameshwaram

At a distance of 18 km from Rameswaram, Dhanushkodi, Dhanushkodi is an abandoned town at the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the must-include places in Rameswaram heritage packages.

Dhanushkodi is located at the southern tip of Pamban Island, separated from the mainland by the Palk Strait, approximately 24 kilometers west of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. The town was entirely devastated by the Rameswaram cyclone in 1964 and has remained uninhabited since that disaster. The only remnant of the cyclone is the Kodanda Rama Swamy Temple. Following the storm, the Government declared the town as Ghost town and unfit for living. Although devoid of inhabitants, Dhanushkodi continues to attract tourists due to its significant historical and mythological associations.

The name Dhanushkodi translates to "Tip of the Bow." The location known as 'Arichal Munai' marks the convergence of the Indian .....

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#10 of 24 Places to Visit in Rameshwaram

At a distance of 22 km from Rameswaram Railway Station, Adam's Bridge, also known as Rama Setu or Rama's Bridge is a chain of natural limestone shoals off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the most prominent places to visit as part of Rameswaram pilgrimage tour.

The Ram Sethu connects Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island to the Mannar island of Sri Lanka. This 48 km long chain of natural limestone shoals bridge separates the Gulf of Mannar (southwest) from the Palk Strait (northeast). Certain sections of this bridge are above water, and the surrounding sea typically does not exceed a depth of 1 meter (3 feet), which poses challenges for maritime navigation. Geological studies indicate that this formation was once a land link between India and Sri Lanka.

Numerous intriguing mythological narratives explain the origin of this structure. As per the Hindu epic Ramayana, Lord .....

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