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Highlights of rameshwaram

Rameswaram's main tourist attractions include the Ramanathaswamy Temple, the Pamban Bridge (a major engineering marvel), and the scenic Dhanushkodi Beach and ruins. Other key sites are the Agnitheertham, Gandhamadhana Parvatham, and the Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Memorial. Religious and historic sites

Ramanathaswamy Temple: A significant Hindu temple known for its long corridors and 22 holy wells for bathing.
Kothandaramaswamy Temple: An ancient temple located between the Bay of Bengal and the Gulf of Munnar.
Gandhamadhana Parvatham: The highest point on the island, offering panoramic views.
Agnitheertham: A sacred spot believed to be purified by Lord Rama.
Villoondi Tirtham: A natural water body with a unique story associated with Lord Rama.
Jada Tirtam: A sacred pond where Rama is said to have washed his hair (jata).

Beaches and natural spots

Dhanushkodi: A ghost town with beautiful beaches, where the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet.
Ariyaman Beach: A quiet and scenic beach for relaxation.
Lakshmana Theertham: Another holy site located within the island.

Engineering and memorials

Pamban Bridge (Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge): A remarkable sea bridge connecting Rameswaram Island to the mainland.
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Memorial: A memorial to the former President of India, located on the island.

Rameshwaram temple

Temple history

The Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple is a famous Hindu temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, known for its incredibly long corridors, elaborate South Indian architecture, and 22 holy wells called kunds. The temple is open daily from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with a VIP darshan option available. Key features

Dedication: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the holiest sites in Hinduism.
Architecture: The temple is built in the traditional South Indian style with tall gopurams and numerous carved pillars. Its corridors are among the longest in India.
22 Kunds: There are 22 holy wells within the temple complex, which are believed to have been created by Lord Rama and possess purifying properties.
Significance: It is considered a key destination in the Char Dham pilgrimage, representing the Treta Yuga.

Visiting information

Timings: The temple is open from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with brief breaks for rituals.
Best time to visit: The best time to visit is during the winter months, from October to April, for cooler weather.
VIP Darshan: A VIP darshan option is available for a fee.

Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi's history is marked by its mythological significance as the place where the Ram Setu bridge was built to Lanka, and by the catastrophic 1964 cyclone that destroyed the town, leaving it uninhabited. Before the cyclone, it was a bustling pilgrimage and tourist town with ferry services to Sri Lanka, but it was completely wiped out, leaving only ruins. Today, it is known as a "ghost town" but remains a popular tourist destination for its historical and religious importance

Mythological history

The Ram Setu: According to the epic Ramayana, Lord Rama ordered the construction of a bridge to Lanka to rescue Sita from the demon king Ravana. This bridge, the Ram Setu or "Rama's Bridge," is believed to have been built from this point.
"End of the bow": After defeating Ravana, Lord Rama is said to have broken the bridge with the end of his bow at Rama's command. This is why the place is named Dhanushkodi, which translates to "end of the bow".
Vibhishana's surrender: It is also believed to be the location where Vibhishana, Ravana's brother, surrendered to Rama.

Historical history

Bustling town: Before the 1964 cyclone, Dhanushkodi was a flourishing town with a large population. It served as a major pilgrimage and tourism hub, connected to Sri Lanka via ferry services from Talaimannar.
The 1964 cyclone: A devastating cyclone hit the coast on the night of December 23, 1964. The storm surge and high waves completely washed away the town, its buildings, and the railway station. A train carrying over 100 passengers was also swallowed by the sea and never recovered.
Ghost town: The cyclone rendered Dhanushkodi uninhabitable, making it an abandoned "ghost town". The ruins of the church, post office, and other buildings serve as a stark reminder of the tragedy.

Modern-day Dhanushkodi

Tourist attraction: Despite being uninhabited, the site draws tourists and pilgrims to witness its ruins and experience the unique landscape where the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet.
Arichal Munai: The point where the landmass tapers off is called Arichal Munai. It's believed to be the very beginning of the land bridge, with Sri Lanka visible in the distance.
Inhabitants: A small community of fishermen now lives in huts, surviving by fishing and having minimal connection to the mainland.
Tsunami: The 2004 tsunami also briefly exposed the submerged part of the town before hitting the coast.

APJ Abdul kalam

Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Memorial is a memorial dedicated to the former president of the Republic of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam located in Peikarumbu, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India. The memorial was designed and constructed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a tribute to Kalam and to display the cultural heritage and ethnic diversity of India. It was officially inaugurated by the prime minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi on 22 July 2017. A symbol of national integration, the memorial is an amalgamation of Mughal and Indian architecture.[2]

Background

Dr. Kalam died on 27 July 2015, Dr. Kalam travelled to Shillong to deliver a lecture on "Creating a Livable Planet Earth" at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. The lecture was supposed to be 4000 words, but only after speaking the initial two sentences, Dr. Kalam collapsed and he was confirmed dead of a sudden cardiac arrest later at a hospital.[3] Dr. Kalam's body was airlifted in an Indian Air Force helicopter from Shillong to Guwahati, from where it was flown to New Delhi on the morning of 28 July.[4]

Following Dr. Kalam's death, the Indian Minister of Home Affairs called an emergency meeting of the Union Council of Ministers, attended by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. In the meeting, a proposal to build the "Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam National Memorial" was finalised. The Indian Government proposed to perform Dr. Kalam's funeral service at Raj Ghat-(Ekta Sthal) in New Delhi, and build a memorial there. Dr. Kalam's family objected, since Dr. Kalam had wanted to be buried in his hometown, Rameshwaram, and the Indian government agreed to go along with the family's wishes,[5][6] and in the same year on Dr. Kalam's birth date which is on 15 October, the commencement of construction on a memorial at Rameshwaram was publicized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[7] On 27 July 2017, on the occasion of Dr. Kalam's second death anniversary, the memorial was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[8][9]

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