Rameswaram Tourism | Places to Visit | Things To Do

Situated in the Gulf of Mannar, on Pamban Island, Rameshwaram is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the South India. Pamban Bridge links up the Rameswaram Island (Pamban Island) with the main land of India. From Pamban, Gulf of Mannar in Sri Lanka is just 50 kilometers away.

The most important place visited by travelers in Rameshwaram is the Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the Char Dhams in India. 

Dhanushkodi about 3 kilometers from main Rameshwaram town is a beach that leads to Adam's bridge or the Ram Setu. Dhanushkodi used to be a small town untill 1964, when it was destroyed in a major cyclone. Today Dhanushkodi has nothing left but a set of ruins. 

Along with Kanyakumari, Rameswaram is an important religious and pilgrim center in Tamil Nadu State. It is one of the Char Dham Pilgrim Centers. As per Ramayana, a great Hindu Epic, when Goddess Sita was abducted and imprisoned in Sri Lanka by Demon Ravana, Lord Rama crossed the sea at Rameswaram to reach Sri Lanka and save his consort Sita.

Rameswaram is always in media flashlights due to various sensational activities like Attack of Indian Fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, Kachchatheevu disputes, Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees, Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project. Fishing is the major occupation in Rameswaram. As per historical facts, Rajendra Chola ruled the town for a short period in 10th century. Later from 12th -16th century, Jaffna Kingdom took over the control and bagged the title of “SethuKavalan” (means Saviour of Sethu). After being ruled by the Vijayanagara Kingdom for a while, Sethupathis of Madurai Nayakar Fame ruled the town and turned the Ramanathaswamy Temple into a magnificent piece of architecture. During 17th century Rameshwaram was ruled by Islam Kingdoms and in late 18th century the town came into control of British Empire.

Thanks to beautiful and mostly calm sea Rameshwarm is coming up as an adventure destination as well. Water sports like Scuba diving, Kayaking, Jet ski, Standup board, Wind surfing and Snorkelling can be experinced here.

Hotels like Daiwik Hotel, Hotel Queen Palace, TTDC Tamil Nadu Hotel etc. offers a pleasant stay for tourists. The Ahaan Restaurant provides excellent food for tourists. Tourists should taste some seafood in local flavor. People looking to do some shopping, can check out for astonishing handicraft products made up of palm leafs, rocks, beads, sea shell etc.

Rameshwaram is connected with all major cities like Coimbatore, Chennai and Bangalore via buses and trains. Madurai is the closest airport.