Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram is a sacred village in Tamilnadu, with a calm and serene beach. Rameshwaram is one of the most popular pilgrimage centers of South India. The beach with shallow waters makes an ideal site for swimming and sunbathing.

The sea here is also home to rare sea species and coral reefs. Remarkable variety of marine life-algae, starfish, sea cucumber, crabs, sponges and the sea cow are found here. One may also sight some dolphins playing in the serene waters of Rameshwaram.

Rameshwaram beach promises to satisfy both pilgrims and tourists alike. Normally tourists who visit this place stay in the nearby city of Madurai but there is variety of accommodation facilities in Rameshwaram also. Accommodation ranging from economy hotels to Devasthanam lodges and cottages are available in Rameshwaram.

Near the beach is the Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the most important temples in southern India. It was built in the 17th century and is famous for its 1200 gigantic granite columns. The 54 meter tall gate-tower, called ‘Gopuram' and 1220 meters of magnificent corridors attracts even foreign tourists to this temple. Another important tourist spot in Rameshwaram is Agnitheertham, which is just 100 meters away from the temple. It is believed that this is the place where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, and asked forgiveness for killing Ravana.

Another belief is that Lord Sri Rama earlier constructed a mythological bridge to Sri Lanka from this Rameshwaram beach.

Last Updated on : 3 December 2010