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After Varanasi, Rameshwaram is thought to be one of the Char Dhams in the belief of Shaivites and Vaishnavaites, a small city in Tamil Nadu, which is located at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. Rameshwaram is located on an island known by the same name or Pamban Island and connects to the interior by the Pamban Bridge or channel. It is about 50 kms from the Mannar Island. The location of this island is also known as Gulf of Mannar. Ramanathaswamy Temple occupies most of the land of this island, although a number of other temples are also located in the different parts of this sacred place. Historical legends are associated with this temple and it is supposedly existent from the time of the Ramayana era. While visiting Rameshwaram, devotees can also indulge in various other activities, apart from Rameshwaram sightseeing. • Ramanathaswamy Temple is the most famous of the places to visit in Rameshwaram. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be visited by devotees after Varanasi. People believe that Lord Rama himself built this temple, with the lingam being prepared by Sita with the help of sand. The lingam is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in the country. Vimana of the temple is 3 stroreyed tall, with images of hanuman and various other lingas. Many other sanctums are built, besides the central one for the linga, where few other goddesses are also worshipped. Inside the temple, there are 22 other wells, water of each tasting different from the other. Even though it is an island, there are road and rail connectivity to this place and also air links to Rameshwaram. • Agni Teertham is the part of the seashore, which is faced by the eastern entrance of the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple. The water here is very calm and soothing and this is the place where the devotees take a holy dip. Pujas in honour of the ancestors are done in this site also. • Gandamadana Parvatham is quite an interesting place from Rameshwaram sightseeing perspective because it is the highest point in the entire island, about 3 kms away from the Ramanathaswamy temple. Most areas of the island is visible from the top of the hillock, wherein, tourists on Rameshwaram sightseeing can find the footprint of Lord Rama on a chakra. • Erwadi is a small town, 24 kms away from Rameshwaram, along the sea shore. Presence of the shrine or tomb of Hazrat Sultan Syed Ibrahim Sahid Aulia makes this place suitable for Rameshwaram sightseeing, even though it is at quite a distance. This tomb is believed to be about 800 years old and is marked by the popular festival of Sandhanakoodu. The festival marks the Sahadat anniversary of the Hazrat Aulia. For a period of 30 days, various functions mark this festival. It takes about 3.5 hours to reach this location by cab, from Madurai airport. People having mental diseases and illnesses are believed to be cured in this religious place. • Dhansukodi is among the popular Places to visit in Rameshwaram. It marks the southern tip of the island. During the 1964 cyclone, Dhanuskodi was completely washed away. It is a strip of land on the eastern side of the island, with a length of 16 kms and width of 1 km. On the sides of this strip, there are waters from Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. The joining of the two water bodies is shaped like a bow and the piece of land is arranged like an arrow. The Adi Sethu or the arrowhead is considered to be auspicious by the devout Hindu followers for religious rites. Migratory birds flock in large numbers to this particular location. It is not without reason that Rameshwaram is one of the most religious places of India. Presence of a large number of temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses and its constant association with the Ramayana, make the Rameshwaram sightseeing tours a fulfilling one. Devotees of Lord Shiva and those interested for Char Dham tours include the Rameshwaram sightseeing in their itineraries and are exposed to some of the most beautiful places to visit in Rameshwaram.
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