Located in the Gulf of Mannar, Rameshwaram is an island of pilgrimage. It is also known as the 'Varanasi of South India' due to its importance to the South Indian Hindus. Rameshwaram is one of the famous Char Dham pilgrimages. This Island has a couch shape and covers an area of 217 sq miles. Rameshwaram is situated at the tip of the Indian mainland and linked through the Pamban Bridge. It is believed that Lord Rama had built a bridge known as "Ram Setu" at this place to cross the sea to Lanka and bring back his wife Sita from Ravana who had abducted her. The evidences bridge is visible even today, though it is a matter of dispute among archaeologists and geographers to consider it as a manmade structure. Natural beauty of Rameshwar is an added attraction for the tourists.
Major attractions for tourists in Rameshwaram are as follows:
Ramanatha Swamy Temple is very important being one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Rama had laid the foundation of this temple to worship Lord Shiva after defeating Ravana. The temple represents a beautiful sample of Dravidian architecture. Its corridor is considered largest in India. The temple houses 1219 pillars in its corridor all of which are ornamented with mythological figures. The temple also has forty wells with different waters.
Dhaushkodi is another attraction for tourists for its strategic location with Bay of Bengal on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. The seas form a shape of bow and arrow giving this place the name as Dhanushkodi [the end of a bow]. The place is also known for its natural beauty of sea and sky.
Five Faced Hanuman Temple is one of the most attractive destinations for pilgrimage tourists. Hanuman, the monkey God was Lord Rama's devotee and himself an avatar. It is said that Hanuman had shown his profile with five faces in Rameshwaram and since then he is worshipped with vermilion. Agnitheertham, Adam's Bridge, Gandamadana Parvatham, Ramjharoka Temple and Erwadi are also must see points for the tourists coming to Rameshwaram.
Rameshwaram's temples constitute its major attractions. However, watching the scenic charm of sea and sun on glittering sand has its own fascination.
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