Rameshwaram is located in the sea region of “Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserves”. This famous “Island City” has been the center of attraction for travelers across the world. It is also one of the Char Dhams of India and an avid place for Hindu devotees.
Here are some of the places which are a must visit when you are in Rameshwaram.
1.) Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple: This is one of the very few temples in the history of India which is built in the Dravidian style architecture. Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple is famous for its collection of Lingas.This popular tourist attraction in Rameshwaram with the second largest pillared corridor in the world is one of the must visit tourist places in Rameshwaram.Worship Timings here are between 5 am - 1 pm & 3 pm - 9 pm.
2.) Kothandaramaswamy Temple: Kothandaramaswamy temple is lined along the shallow beaches, historical ruminants, and vast horizons of the azure sea.This temple holding the deities of Rama, Lakshman, Sita & Hanuman is believed to be the residing spot of Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana.Temple Timings are between 6: 30 am to 10: 30 am & 5: 30 pm to 8: 30 pm.
3.) Agni Theertham: One of the 64 sacred baths in India, Agni Theertham is always on the top of the list when talking about the best places to visit in Rameshwaram. It is believed that bathing in this sea will rid one of his/her sins and make them pure. Holistic rituals such as those for the dead ancestors are performed on the shores of this pristine beach. Pilgrims wishing to take a sacred bath are first supposed to take a dip here and then proceed for the bath inside the Rameshwaram Temple.Timings to visit are between 5 am to 6 pm.
4.) Ariyaman Beach: The Ariyaman Beach, or the Kushi Beach is characterised by gentle waves and utmost cleanliness, this beach is perfect for a picnic with friends or family. Its distance from Rameshwaram is 27 km.
5.) Dhanuskodi Beach: Dhanuskodi lies in the southern tip of Rameshwaram and is bordered by the Bay of Bengal on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other, merging at the very tip of the beach, such that one can tell apart the high tides of the former from the low tides of the latter. The town has been declared a ‘Ghost Town’ by the government, and is among the prominent places to visit in Rameshwaram.
6.) Adam’s Bridge: The Adam’s Bridge or Rama Setu is a historic bridge connecting the Rameshwaram island of India to the north-western coast of Sri Lanka. The bridge is a network of limestone shoals that start from Dhanuskodi, the tip of India’s Pamban Island, which in turn is connected to the Indian mainland by a 2 km long bridge.
7.) Water Bird Sanctuary: For all visitors who wish to explore something other than the temples, they can go to the Water Bird Sanctuary that is home to a lot of native as well as migratory water birds. Between October and January, the sanctuary turns into a battalion of migratory birds who flock here to breed and feed their offsprings. The sanctuary is located in the Ramanathapuram District. Best Time to visit this sanctuary is between October and January.
8.) Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge: The Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge or Pamban Bridge is a cantilever bridge on Palk Strait that boasts of being the first sea bridge of India and connects Rameshwaram Island with the Indian mainland. The bi-lane road next to the bridge allows one to get a clear view of this railway bridge and of its amazing double leaf bascule which raises itself to let ships pass from underneath it.