|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
Chennai |
Mamallapuram
|
Kanchipuram
|
Tiruvanamalai
|
Chidambaram
|
Kumbakonam |
Thanjavor |
Tiruchinapalli
|
Madurai |
Rameshwaram
|
Kanyakumari
|
Ooty |
Kodaikanal |
Coimbatore |
|
Area : 51.8
sq.kms.
Altitude : sea level.
Rameshwara is a small island in the palk strait and is referred to
as the benaras of the south . ‘Rameshwaram’ or the place where lord
rama rested on his way to defeat ravana in lanka is a blessed
piligrim centre of rama’s followers. This is a centre for both
shaivites and vaishnavites . it was here that rama (an incarnation
of Vishnu and hero of the Ramayana) offered thanks to shiva.
At the town’s core is the ramanathaswamy temple, one of the most
important temples in south India.Rameshwara is on an island in the
gulf of mannar, connected to the mainland at mandapam by rail, and
by one of india’s greatest engineering wonders, the indira Gandhi
bridge, which was opened by rajive Gandhi in 1988. The town lies on
the island’s eastern side.
Places of attraction :-
Ramanathswamy Temple:
Ramanathswamy Temple is one of India’s most worshipped temples.
Legend has it that Rama sanctified this place by worshipping Siva
after the battle of Lanka. A fine example of late Dravidian
architecture this temple is most renowned for its four magnificent
corridors lined with elaboratory sculptured pillars. The great
corridor (4000 ft.) is India’s longest. Each corridor has hundreds
of pillars and rich carvings.
There are 22 theerthams (tanks) within the complex are believed by
devotees to have particular powers. The fresh water spring in the
temple is said to have medicinal properties. The Cholas founded the
temple but most of the temple was built in the Nayaka period (16th
-17th centuries) It is a massive structure enclosed by a huge
rectangular wall with gopurams in the middle of three sides. Open
5am to noon 4 to 10pm.
Kothandarswamy Temple and Dhanushkodi:
A valiant survivor of the 1964 cyclone the temple is the mark of
Vibishana’s (Ravana’s brother) surrendering to Lord Rama here.
Agnithertham is a seafront close to the Ramanathaswamy temple. The
teertham ( holy water) is calm and ideal for bathing. A trip or
Dhanusoki is recommendedfor the stalwart.
Gandhamathana Parvatham is a small hill north of the Ramanathswamy
temple . The imprint of Lord Rama’s feet on a chakra attracts the
pilgrims for blessings.Its name is derived from the Sanskrit words
gandha (fragrance) and mad (intoxicate) ‘highly fragrant hill
place’. Dedicated to Rama’s feet this is leap across the narrow Palk
Strait to Sri Lanka.
Adam’s Bridge is a chain of reefs sand banks and islets which were
once supposed to have been a bridge built by Hanuman and his army of
monkeys all the way to Lanka.
Coral Reefs:
Coconut palms and swaying tamarind trees fringe these sandy beaches.
A wide variety of sea creatures live in these reefs. The kurusadai
Island on the west of Pamban Bridge is ideal places for exploration.
The Gulf of Mannar has been declared as a biosphere reserve and is
being developed as an ecologically sensitive area. It is about 20
kms from Rameshwaram via Mandapam.
Thiruppullani:
It is 14 kms from Rameshwaram. It is a Vishnu shrine. It is also
called Dharbasayanam as Lord Rama took rest on a couch of grass
here.
Thiruvanai Pularanyam Adhisedhu and Ratnaharam are the other names
of this place.
Ramanathapuram:
This place is also known as Sethupeetam.There is at the centre of
the town and inside the fort is Ramalinga Vilasam-the palace of the
Sethupathis. |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
