Rameshwaram, located on Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu, India, is a place of immense spiritual significance and natural beauty. This sacred town is renowned for its historical and religious importance, drawing pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. The Ramanathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, stands as a magnificent example of Dravidian architecture and is a focal point for devotees. The town is also associated with the epic Indian mythological text, the Ramayana, as it is believed to be the place from where Lord Rama built the bridge to Sri Lanka.
Apart from its spiritual allure, Rameshwaram offers picturesque views of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. The white sandy beaches and clear blue waters make it an ideal destination for nature lovers and beachgoers. The town's pristine beauty extends to its natural wonders, including the vibrant coral reefs around nearby islands, offering excellent opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Rameshwaram's unique geographic location, with its famous Adam's Bridge or Rama's Bridge, adds to its allure. The area is replete with legends and stories, making it a place of historical, cultural, and natural significance. Pilgrims, history enthusiasts, and nature lovers find Rameshwaram to be a multifaceted gem that continues to captivate and inspire those who visit.
100 meters away from the temple is Agnitheertham, where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, to absolve himself from the killing Ravana. It is a pilgrim place wherein people believe that taking a bath in the place washes away their sins. The temple is constructed facing the eastern direction and there is a large lake in the temple whose water is considered to be holy enough. There are about 22 wells in this place.
Dhanushkodi named after Rama's bow is at the eastern end of the island at a distance of 8 km from Rameshwaram. The boulders around the sea between Srilanka and this place known as Adam's bridge, are believed to be used by Hanuman to reach across Srilanka. Dhhanushkodi was completely destroyed by the cyclones of 1964. Kothandaramaswamy temple is the only salvage of the cyclone. Idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vibhishana (brother of Ravana), surrendered to Rama, here.
Gandhamadhana Parvatham is the deity of several communities in southern India and the temple of Gandhamadhana is most renowned and worshiped in southern India. The temple is two-storeyed and Lord Rama's feet are imprinted on the chakra placed in the temple, which is at the highest point on the island at 2 km from Rameshwaram.
It was built in the 17th century. Situated close to the sea on the eastern side of the island, this temple is famous for its 1200 gigantic granite columns. The 54-meter tall gopuram (gate-tower), 1220 meters of magnificent corridors, and the flamboyant columns embellish and render fame to the temple. The water in each of the 22 sacred wells in the temple tastes different.