Trivandrum-Kanyakumari-Rameshwaram-Madurai Post 3 of 4

The third stop on our pilgrimage journey was Rameshwaram.

Visited in : Dec 2011

Distance from Kanyakumari : 307 km

Best way to reach there : By road (it takes around 5 hrs to reach Rameshwaram from Kanyakumari)

However, there is a train from Kannyakumari to Rameshwaram too - Cape Rmm Express

Good place to stay at : We stayed at Royal Park. There are not many well known hotels in Rameshwaram and the ones which are there offer standard facilities, nothing fancy.

Places to see here:

1. Ramanathaswamy Temple

Image Courtesy : Kumbakonamtemples

Shiva (Ramanathaswamy) is the main deity here and is present in the form of signature lingam. Two lingams are the main attraction of the temple. One is believed to be built by Sita and the other was brought by Hanumana from Kailash (which is worshipped prior to the Sita's lingam).

Image Courtesy : vettriparavaigal

In line with other South Indian temples, Ramanathaswamy temple has long corridors lined with tall pillars. It is noticeable that these temples are usually very dark inside, not letting sunlight light up the interiors.

2. Pamban bridge

It is a cantilever bridge on the Palk Strait connecting the town of Rameswaram to mainland India. It was opened in 1914 and is India's first sea bridge. The name Pamban bridge is used for both road bridge as well as the railway bridge. The rail bridge can be raised in order to let ships and barges pass through this strip of ocean.

3. Dhanushkodi

It is a small town or village at the southern tip of Rameswaram island. It had a railway line which got destroyed in 1964 cyclone. It is believed that Lord Rama built a bridge between mainland India and Sri Lanka in order to take his army to Lanka. After Rama won the war and Vibhishana was crowned the new king of Lanka, he requested Rama to destroy the bridge. Rama did so with one end of his bow and hence the name Dhanushkodi (end of a bow).

Dhanushkodi town now wears a completely destroyed and deserted look. There are ruins of some old temples, some idols of Gods and railway station.

Fun of seeing the ground water up so close...

You can actually see Sri Lankan land from the edge of Dhanushkodi. 

The dancing waves bathed in the early morning rays of sun looked spectacular, so a visit to this place must not be missed.

Note :

1. It will take 2-4 hours inside the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Since one needs to take bath (a bucket/pot full water is poured on you) at all of the 22 tirthas within the temple, it takes time, so plan accordingly.
2. The Pamban railway bridge looks beautiful so must watch out for it while driving.
3. Visit Dhanushkodi during the day time preferably because the place is very lonely and may appear spooky at night. 

Trivandrum-Kanyakumari-Rameshwaram-Madurai Post 2 of 4

This was the second stop on a journey which -

Was spread across a distance of 1,720 km

covered two states - Tamil Nadu and Kerala

comprised of three means of transport - air, water and road

Visited in : Dec 2011

Distance from Trivandrum (Thiruvanathapuram) : 85 km

Best way to reach there : By road (approx. 2 hrs)

Good place to stay at : We stayed at Sparsa resort

Places to See :

1. Vivekananda Rock Memorial

The story goes like this - This is the place which make the young monk Vivekananda - the Swami Vivekananda in 1892. He meditated for three days and nights and attained enlightenment on his life's mission here. He dedicated his life to arouse the nation from its deep slumber from slavery and bigotry.

The idea of constructing a memorial to honour Swami Vivekananda was mooted in 1962 and the memorial was dedicated to the nation in 1970.

Do not miss spending some time in the meditation hall. There is a store which sells books and souvenirs. 

2. Thiruvalluvar Statue

This photo of Thiruvalluvar Statue is courtesy of TripAdvisor

The 133 feet stone sculpture of Tamil saint and poet Thiruvalluvar stands tall at the meeting point of two seas and an ocean - the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The statue is installed on a tiny island adjacent to Vivekananda Rock. The ferry service from mainland to Vivekananda Rock Memorial stops for a while at the Thiruvalluvar Statue.

3. Vattakottai Fort

About 7 km from Kanyakumari, this fort was built in 18th century as a coastal defence for the Travancore Kingdom at that time. The elevated portions of the fort offer magnificent views of Bay of Bengal, numerous windmills and vast expanse of green blanket.

    4. You can take a stroll along the coastline. 

Important Tips :

1. The queue for the ferry which takes you to the Vivkananda Memorial Rock is usually very long so budget the time well for the same. 
2. Life jackets are not in a good state though the ferry ride is just for 5-7 min.
3. Do not miss the sunrise time early in the morning at Kanyakumari. It is beautiful there.
4. If planning to stay in Sparsa Resort, request for the room which has a sunset view from the room itself. Some of their rooms overlook the Indian Ocean or go to the sunset tower for a breathtaking sunset spectacle.