Rameswaram |
Rameswaram is one of Hindu- ism's four most important pilgrimage centres. Touched by the Indian Ocean, the main temple stands on an island in the Palk Straits about 160 km from Madurai. It is believed that Lord Rama offered prayers to Lord Shiva here, after killing Ravana and rescuing Sita from his clutches. |
19 km off from the mainland, the island of Rameswaram is connected to Mandapam, the port on the mainland, by rail and road which is in turn connected to Madurai. The nearest airport, Madurai is 173 kms. By road, Rameswaram is 527 kms from Chennai, 273 kms from Trichy, 315 kms from Kanyakumari, and 173 kms from Madurai. PLACES OF INTEREST The main temple of Rameswaram, the Ramanath Swamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. An amazing feature are the numerous wells of the temple, each with differently tasting water. Other places of interest are the coral reefs, the Dhanushkodi, and the Gandhamath- ana Parvatham with Lord Rama's foot marks. ACCOMMODATION Hotel Tamil Nadu (TTDC), Phone: 21277, 21064; Fax: 21070. Hotel Maharaja, 7 Middle Street. Phone: 21271; Fax: 21247. Hotel Venkatesh, Kovil Street. Phone: 21296, 21135. Tamil Nadu (TTDC), Mandapam. Phone: 41413, 41512. |