STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES OF INDIA
TAMIL NADU
Rameswaram
Rameswaram,
a pilgrimage centre is an island town in the Palk strait at the South east
tip of India, 167 kms from Madurai. The island is connected to the
mainland by the Pamban bridge. No holy pilgrim is complete for the Hindus
without a dip in the holy waters of the Agni Theertham at Rameswaram.
This tranquil water was calmed by Lord Rama, who is said to have worshipped
Lord Siva here, before and after his war with the Lankan asura king Ravana,
who had abducted his wife Sita Devi. There are several holy threethams
- a total of 51 teerthams in Rameswaram.
Sri Ramanathaswamy
Temple
This temple is
constructed at the spot where Lord Rama offered woship to the sand Lingam
- Ramanathaswamy made by Sita Devi & the Siva Lingam brought by Hanuman
from the Kailasam - Viswa Lingam.
The construction
of the temple as it stands today, a wonderful example of Dravidian architecture,
was started in the 12th century and ended in 19th century. All the
rulers in a span of 350 years contributed greatly to various aspects and
sections of the temple. The most interesting feature in the temple
is the 1,220m long corridor with the beautiful carvings on the pillars,
walls and cieling.
Details
Gandhamadhana
Parvatham
This hillock
is the highest point in the island. There is a two storey mandapam,
the Ramjharoka Temple,(or Ramjiruka meaning the place where Rama rested)
where the foot print of Lord Rama on a wheel is worshipped. There
is anexcellent view of the isalnd from this spot.
Kothandaramaswamy
Temple
The southern most
tip of the island where the Indian Ocean mingles with the Bay of Bengal
is Dhanushkodi. A major portion was washed away during the 1964 cyclone,
but the Kothandaramaswamy temple here is still intact. According
to legend, Vibeeshana the brother of Ravana met and joined hands
with him at this spot. There are paintings in this temple depicting
this story. The idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana can be seen
along with Vibeeshana & Hanuman. Vivekanadar is said to have
landed here after his historic trip to spread Hinduism in the West.
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram
is the district headquarters. This place was ruled by the Sethupathis.
Places of interest here are the Ramalinga Vilasam palace paintings, and
the tomb of Thayumana Swamigal.
Rameswaram
is also an interesting spot for marine biologists for, in the waters surrounding
the island are beautiful coral reefs in which live a wide variety of sea
creatures. The Kurusadai islands on the west of the Pamban bridge
are an ideal place to explore the sea. The Gulf of Mannar has been
declared as a bio-sphere reserve and is being developed as an ecologically
sensitive area.
Mandapam connects
Rameswaram with the main land. A boat ride to Kurusadai island can be arranged
from here.
Tirupullani
is also known as Dharbasayanam. The Vishnu temple here is dedicated
to Lord Adi Jaganathaperumal.
At Devipattinam
also known as Navabashnam, There is a temple dedicated to Devi. There are
stones laid at the shore which represent the Navagrahams, where special
prayers & worship is offered in Aadi & Thai Ammavasai. Devotees
from all the neighbouring villages flock to worship here.
At Erwadi the
tomb of Ibrahim Syed Aulia is visited by the Muslim pilgrims. The
annual festival in honour of this saint takes place in December.
Kanchirankulam
is a water bird sanctuary (Season : November to February)
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