Rameswaram Travel Guide

 
by tayloretc
 
  •   Rameswaram
    by tayloretc
  • Caught a Train on Pamban Bridge !
      Caught a Train on Pamban Bridge !
    by y2ketan2007
  • Curtains made from Sea Shells
      Curtains made from Sea Shells
    by y2ketan2007
  • near the Restaurant facing the sea
      near the Restaurant facing the sea
    by Maniuknow
  • view from the  verandah
      view from the verandah
    by Maniuknow
 

Explore Rameswaram

Things to Do  

Ramanathaswamy Temple

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram

 y2ketan2007 Says:  Spread over fifteen acres this massive temple complex is an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus .Part of the temple complex dates back to the 12th century.The complex also has India's largest temple corridor which consists of 1212 stone pillars. 

Pamban Bridge

Pamban Bridge, Rameswaram

 y2ketan2007 Says:  You have to pass through the Pamban bridge to reach Rameswaram.Park your vehicle on it for half an hour to enjoy the spectacular views of the ocean and experience the ferocious winds.And if you have got your timing right you will see a passenger train pass over the ocean on... 

World's Longest Temple Corridor-Rameswaram Temple

World's Longest Temple Corridor-Rameswaram Temple, Rameswaram

 anilpradhanshillong Says:  A visit to Rameswaram temple would take at least half a day, especially if you wish to take the obligatory religious bath at the various wells. If you desire to visit Danushkodi also, set aside a full day. In between, you could squeeze in a quick look at the other temples... 

Gandhamandana Parvatham

Gandhamandana Parvatham, Rameswaram

 anilpradhanshillong Says:  About 3 kms from the Ramaswamy Temple is the Gandhamandana Parvatham, the highest point in the island. Climb up to the terrace and a wonderful sight awaits you as the entire island is visible from this vantage point. You can watch the greenery and in the distance, the mighty... 

Kothanda Ramar Temple

Kothanda Ramar Temple, Rameswaram

 anilpradhanshillong Says:  Barely 12 kms from the Ramaswamy Temple is the Kothanda Ramar Temple, a sub-temple of the Ramaswamy Temple where, the Ramayan say, the brother of the demon king, Ravana, Vibhishana, surrendered to Lord Rama. Surrounded by sand on all sides, there are steep steps leading up... 

Beaches In Spiritual Paradise

Beaches In Spiritual Paradise, Rameswaram

 anilpradhanshillong Says:  The two beaches, Ariaman and Vallinokkam are both virgin territory. The former is on the Palk Bay side where the waters are calmer as is about 30 kms from Rameswaram. The latter is 37 kms via Erwadi on the Ramanathapuram-Sayalkudi Tuticorin National Highway and thereafter, a... 

Panchamuka Hanuman Temple

Panchamuka Hanuman Temple, Rameswaram

 anilpradhanshillong Says:  The Panchamuka Hanuman Temple is located only 2 kms from the Ramaswamy Temple. The idols of Hanuman, Lord Rama and Sita were re-located here after the devastating cyclone of 1964 at Dhanushkodi. An example of the ‘floating’ stone used by Hanuman to build the bridge... 

The Conch Island - Danushkodi

The Conch Island - Danushkodi, Rameswaram

 anilpradhanshillong Says:  Dhanushkodi is a mere strip of land barely 1 kms wide and 20 kms long. It is roughly 3 kms from the Rameswaram Temple. It may be reached by boat or by surface transport or, if you prefer the mightiness of the ocean, by walking. Its barrenness was further exacerbated by the... 

Adam's Bridge

Adam's Bridge, Rameswaram

 msforbes Says:  at last, i made it, and here's the photo, the start of adam's bridge, where the gulf of mannar, and the palk stait meet. 

Pamban bridge

Pamban bridge, Rameswaram

 yumiyun Says:  The longest bridge of India connecting the Rameswaram island with the Indian subcontinent. Below the 2.2 km bridge is a parallel railway. The view from the bridge is magnificient as well - clear blue water and lush green lagoons. This area is also acclaimed for marine... 

Gandhamadhana Parvatham

Gandhamadhana Parvatham, Rameswaram

 yumiyun Says:  Situated atop a mound, the temple is known for Rama's footprints. This is also the place where Hanuman is said to made a great leap to Sri Lanka. The temple is two-story on which the sanctum is on the ground floor. From the balcony upstairs, Ramanathaswamy temple can be... 

Hotels  

TTDC Tamil Nadu Hotel

 3 Reviews and 50 Opinions  We visited Rameshwaram in the 2nd week of July, the sun was smiling no sign of clouds. Enough... 

Hotel Royal Park

 6 Reviews and 49 Opinions  The Hotel is well appointed with LCD TV's, Hair Dryer, Coffee Maker, etc equal to best Star hotel in... 

Transportation  

Train above the water
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yumiyun 274 reviews
Railway above the ocean

If you plan to visit Rameswaram on your own, take the train. Entering Rameswaram, the train runs on a bridge over the sea to reach this island. It also runs just beneath the famous Pamba bridge. The sea view of Rameswaram is so beautifu, it can give you a feeling of flying over the water.

Written Apr 17, 2003

Related to:
 Trains

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Shopping  

Handmade Sea Shell Products

Handmade Sea Shell Products, Rameswaram

 y2ketan2007 Says:  You will find some very interesting handmade products like bracelets,mirrors,necklaces and curtains made from sea shells in the flea markets in and around Rameswaram.You may have to bargain a bit to get yourself a good deal. 

Around the temple

Around the temple, Rameswaram

 yumiyun Says:  The street leading from the beach (Agni Theertham) to Ramanatha Swamy Temple are filled with shops. All of them more or less carry similar products, most popular being shell product like mirror, key chain etc. There are some beautiful necklace, earings and ring set made of... 

Local Customs  

Taking the Plunge

Taking the Plunge, Rameswaram

 msforbes Says:  There is a main temple dominating the centre of town. I didn't take a photo, don't know why it just didn't feel right. Here's a shot just in front, then off to a bit of the temple. 

General India TIp

General India TIp, Rameswaram

 msforbes Says:  This is for all of india (or from what i've seen of the country). in india haggling like a lot of the world is the norm. most indians know how much it cost for you to arrive in the country and find it pathetic the way we haggle. the price they give you is the same price they... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Cutting Grass
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

tayloretc 282 reviews

I can’t believe I’m writing another entry on grass that hurts. This stuff won’t make you pass out, but it will leave you with lots of long, thin cuts on your feet and ankles, which hurt, and which will then hurt very much when you step into the sea. Since it grows in clumps, and the clumps grow close together, if you wander into its domain you will be cut.

Its domain appears to be sand dunes, the very ones you pass to get to Danushkodi. If you’re heading out there and want to take a picture from the top of a dune, watch where you step.

Updated Jun 9, 2008

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Tourist Traps  

Temple guide
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yumiyun 274 reviews

As soon as you reach Ramanatha Swamy Temple, a guide or two will approach you to take you around the temple. The guide will have a small bucket to which he will bring you all the 22 holy waters in the temple. But, they will ask for a huge fee for it.

Unique Suggestions: Unless you want to touch holy waters, it's better to avoid them. But they are very aggressive, and once they put eye on you, they will follow you to the end.

Written Apr 17, 2003

Related to:
 Religious Travel

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Off The Beaten Path  

something i stumbled across on the way
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msforbes 82 reviews

This is a monument I stumbled along the way it is called a lingam, and it is in tribute to Shiva's p*nis. Thankyou, Jessicadf

Updated Jan 15, 2004

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Favorites  

Rameswaram tour
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yumiyun 274 reviews

Favorite thing: One day is sufficient to see all the known temples of Rameswaram. The easiest thing is to sign up for a tour - daily trip from Madurai to Rameswaram is avaialble for approx. Rs. 200 per head.

It helps to know a little about Indian epic of "Ramayana" since all the temples in Ramaswaram are associated with the story.

Fondest memory: Temples associated with Ramayana epic. The view of Sri Lanka across a beautiful ocean. Feeling that you are on the southeastern edge of India.

Updated Apr 17, 2003

Related to:
 Religious Travel
 Historical Travel

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Map of Rameswaram