If you, however, look past them, you will find that Rameshwaram is also environmentally-beautiful and has some beautiful beaches in its arsenal. We have made a list of all the beautiful beaches you ought to visit when in Rameshwaram. Do have a look.

Beaches in Rameshwaram

1. Olaikuda Beach

Olaikuda Beach (source)

Olaikuda is a well-known fishing village in Rameshwaram. The village boasts of a beautiful shoreline and a beach. The vibe of this beach is quiet and tranquil.

This serene beach attracts many migratory birds such as flamingos during the winter. It also serves as a natural bird sanctuary. The coast is enveloped with natural coral reefs, making it an ideal dive spot as well.

• Distance from Rameshwaram: 1 kilometres

2. Sangumal Beach

Sangumal Beach (source)

The Sangumal Beach is situated right next to the Agni Theertham village. The beach is known for being a favourable fishing spot. If you manage to reach the beach at sunrise you’ll get to view fisherman hard at work. You can also try your hand at fishing if the fishermen agree to let you tag along.

The beach is extremely sandy and unkept, however, if you are not keen on going to a busy area and intend on spending some quiet time, this is the beach to be at. There are vendors selling peanuts and tea for when you get peckish.

• Distance from Rameshwaram: 1.8 kilometres

3. Villoondi Theertham

Villoondi Theertham

Villoondi Theertham is a beach that is blessed with aesthetic beauty as well as a rich cultural background. It happens to be one of the Theertham (holy water body) spots of 64 known ones. Every year, pilgrims come here to take a dip and purge themselves of all evil.

The main attraction here is the water spring that originates within the sea. The entire scene is picture-perfect, so don’t forget to take your camera on a visit here.   

• Distance from Rameshwaram: 6.8 kilometres

4. Pamban Beach

Pamban Beach

Pamban Beach is a long passageway that leads into Rameshwaram Island. The beach is not suited for bathing, swimming or diving, you can go here to witness the beautiful sunset or just sit back and relax.

On your way to the beach, you will find many amenities such as swimming pools, swings, and even a children’s park. A visit to Pamban Beach can be a wholesome experience.

• Distance from Rameshwaram: 12.2 kilometres

5. Kunthukal Beach

Kunnathukal Beach (source)

Kunnathukal is a village that lies nearly 20 minutes from Rameshwaram and is primarily knowns as a fishing town. However, if you go past this village to its deep interior you will be amazed to find one of the cleanest beaches in all of India.

The beach is blessed with crystal clear waters and a massive shoreline. You can swim in the waters of the beach and choose to surf here as well. The water and the waves are warm and will embrace you in utmost comfort.

• Distance from Rameshwaram: 13.5 kilometres

6. Dhanushkodi Beach

Dhanushkodi Beach

Dhansuhkodi is located at the southernmost part of Rameshwaram. The name when translated into English literally means the ‘tip of the bow’, and it was given this name due to the shape of the surrounding topography.

The Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean lie on opposite sides of the beach and, if you go further down, you can witness the merging of these two massive water bodies. You can go surfing on the massive waves at the Sangam (the meeting point). If you’re lucky you can find migratory birds like flamingos and ocean gulls during the winters.

• Distance from Rameshwaram: 19 kilometres

7. Ariyaman Beach

Airyman Beach (source)

Also known as the Kushi Beach, Ariyaman Beach is located in the Park-Bay. The beach is 150 metres wide and stretches out for 2 kilometers along the coastline. The beach is not known to many an remains untouched by the general public.

Here you will find gentle waves from the sea and the place experiences pleasant climate throughout the year. The idyllic beach a perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon

• Distance from Rameshwaram: 30 kilometres

Rameshwaram, although a pilgrimage town, certainly has a lot more to offer. It has some astoundingly clean and breathtaking beaches that can leave you absolutely spellbound.

So the next time you are here and wish to do something apart from visiting temples, take a look at our list and let us know of your experiences in the comments section below.

The post 7 Magnificent Beaches In Rameshwaram That You Must Visit appeared first on Treebo Blog.

The beaches here are clean and the landscape offers a great subject or backdrop for any picture you may want to take. Let’s talk about the beautiful places to visit in Rameshwaram, including some temples and ponds.

Places To Visit In Rameshwaram

1. Ramanathaswamy Temple

The Largest Hallway in India at the Ramanathaswamy Temple

This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas located in different parts of India. Said to have originally been built by Rama himself, the temple contains a very famous 197-metre-long hallway flanked by beautiful and ornately carved pillars.  

With a 54-metre tall gopuram, the temple is considered a prime example of Dravidian architecture. The temple’s construction was started in the 12th century and the different parts are credited to many different rulers.

2. Jada Tirtham

Pilgrims worship at the Jada Theertham (source)

This is a sacred pond where Rama is supposed to have washed his matted hair or jada, after killing Ravana and before worshipping Lord Shiva.

Located on the way to Dhanushkodi, this pond is held highly sacred by Hindu pilgrims who come in huge numbers to visit the pond and to worship at the only temple to Lord Shiva at Kapardiswara, which is located here.

3. Dhanushkodi

Two Seas meeting at Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi meaning ‘end of the bow’ is a small town located at the south-east end of Pamban island in Tamil Nadu. The temple here is described in the Ramayana but currently has nothing but ruins which have been left behind due to the ravages of the sea and time.

The town itself lies abandoned and uninhabited since the 1964 cyclone which destroyed the town and took many lives.

4. Pamban Bridge

A Train crossing the Pamban

This sea bridge was opened in 1914, connecting the town of Rameshwaram on Pamban island to Mandapam on the mainland. This 100 years old bridge contains 143 pillars, each of which is 220 feet in length and 100 tonnes in weight.

The bridge is conventional for the most part but has a double-leaf bascule section which can be raised to let ships and barges pass through. The bridge spans a distance of 2.345 km and took 14 years to be completed.

5. Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge

The Impressive Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge

The Annai Indira Gandhi Road bridge was built right next to the Pamban Bridge, connecting Rameshwaram to NH 49 on the mainland. This bi-lane bridge allows you to glimpse the trains crossing the railway bridge as you drive over the bridge.

6. Gandhamadhana Parvatham

Hanuman fetching the Sanjeevani in a painting by Raja Ravi Varma

This is the name of a mountain, which legend has it was ferried on his back by Hanuman to bring the life-saving Sanjeevani herb for Rama’s brother Lakshman, who swooned in battle.

The place is very quaint, offering a beautiful view of the whole island from its peak. There is also a two-storeyed temple to Rama, which has the imprint of his feet on a chakra.

7. Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple

Idol of the Panchmukhi Hanuman at Rameshwaram

The idol of Lord Hanuman or Anjaneya here has four other heads, of Lords Narasimha, Adivaraha, Garuda and Hayagriva. The statue is smeared with Sindoor and worshipped by Hindus with complete devotion along with the idols of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita who also have shrines here.

The ‘floating stones’ on display here are considered to prove the legend of the Rama Setu across the sea to Lanka.

8. Adam’s Bridge

NASA image of Adam’s Bridge

Adam’s Bridge or Rama Setu is the legendary bridge described in Ramayana as having been built by the Vanara Sena of Rama, to cross over from the Indian subcontinent to Sri Lanka. These are a chain of limestone shoals which connect Dhanushkodi at the tip of India’s Pamban Island to Sri Lanka.

9. Nambu Nayaki Amman Temple

Nambu Nayaki Amman

Situated 8 kms away from the Ramanathaswamy temple, the temple to Nambu Nayaki Amman is a highly popular goddess, worshipped in this region.

The goddess is believed to offer good health and progeny to the worshippers. Anyone facing problems in the region trust the goddess to help them come out of their problems.

10. Water Bird Sanctuary

Birds at the Water Bird Sanctuary at Rameshwaram

Between October and January, one gets to see a lot of migratory birds along with the local birds which make this one of the most interesting spots in Rameshwaram, which have no connection with any religion. The sanctuary attracts a lot of visitors.

11. Ariyaman Beach

The Serene Ariyaman Beach at Rameshwaram

The beach at Ariyaman stretches a length of 2 kilometres and a width of 150 metres. Adventurous souls can indulge in some water sports like parasailing, water scooter rides and windsurfing.

The beach also offers a children’s park, an aquarium and a museum as well. The casuarina groves offer a wonderful beachside venue for picnickers to the place.

12. Kothandaramaswamy Temple

Front View of the Kothandaramaswamy Temple

Located very close to the sea, this temple to Kothandaramaswamy is approximately 500 years old. This temple has the idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana along with that of Vibhishana, the brother of Ravana who sided with Rama during the war.

Many believe that Rama crowned Vibhishana in this place. The temple’s walls have paintings which tell us this story.

13. Lakshmana Tirtham

Lakshmana Teertham at Rameshwaram

Between a temple dedicated to Lakshmana and a Ramanathswamy Temple, is a sacred pond. The Lakshmana Temple is engraved with images from the mythological story of Ramayana.

The Ramayana is a part of the ancient literature of India, and it is a joy to see these stories set in stone for those who are familiar with them.  It is custom for visitors of the temple to take a dip in the pond that sits near this temple, but it is not mandatory.

14. Villoondi Tirtham

The Well with Sweet Water in the Middle of the Sea

The sacred stories of the Ramayana, generally considered mythological, have many physical locations and remnants spread across the Indian subcontinent, and this is one more.

The Villoondi Tirtham, which translates to “the buried bow,” is part of the Ramayana. Rama was said to have shot an arrow into the river to form a shower of water for Sita, his wife, to drink. There is a temple there, called the Ekantha Ramar, also part of the Ramayana.

15. Jatayu Tirtham Temple

Jatayu’s Death at the Hands of Ravana, a Painting by Raja Ravi Varma

Jatayu was an eagle that acted as Rama’s friend, informing him that Ravana had abducted his wife. In the story, Jatayu died in battle trying to free Sita from Ravana.

The Jatayu Tirtham Temple is a shrine for the eagle. which is supposedly buried here by Rama and held in great reverence by the pious Hindus of India.

16. House of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

External View of the House of Kalam at Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram’s claim to fame has always been irrefutable but the locals found a reason to rejoice in the appointment of their beloved neighbour as the President of India.

His name is Dr. Abdul Kalam and his claim to fame lies in his knowledge of science, his interest in space exploration and his love for writing.

A trip to Rameshwaram is considered very important and a must-attempt pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime by Hindus.

Even if they held no such belief, the religious and secular attractions of Rameshwaram have many people vying with each other to get here and see every single one of the beautiful places which are listed here.

The post 16 Stellar Places to Visit in Rameshwaram appeared first on Treebo Blog.

The town is also one the Char Dhams in India – four pilgrimage sites that very Hindu must visit in their lifetime. It draws millions of pilgrims every year. We have compiled a list of temples in Rameshwaram that you definitely must visit when you head to this island.  

Temples in Rameshwaram

1. Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple

The Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram is renowned for the collection of Shivling it houses. The temple also happens to be one of the few temples in India that is built entirely in the Dravidian architectural style.

According to the ancient tales, the temple premises used to have 112 ponds, of which only 12 remain. The temple also attracts visitors because of its architecture. It houses the second largest pillared corridor in the world.

• Temple Timings: 5 am to 1 pm, 3 pm to 9 pm

2. Kothandaramaswamy Temple

Kothandaramaswamy Temple

The temple is situated in Dhanushkodi in Rameshwaram and is surrounded by a beautiful beach. The temple is located on a site that is mentioned in the Ramayana: the resting spot for Lord Rama as he was marching to Lanka.

The temple houses idols of Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. It is believed to be the final resting spot of Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana who met his end at the hands of Lord Rama.

• Temple Timings: 6.30 am to 10 am, 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm

3. Panchamukhi Temple

Panchamukhi Temple

The Panchamukhi Temple is known for housing the five-faced idol of Lord Rama. The place is considered very important to any ‘Bal Brahmachari’. The idol is carved entirely out of a one large Senthooram stone.

It is said that the stone held more value than gold in ancient times. Besides the idol, the temple also houses stones that were used to build the ‘Ram Setu” a bridge used by Lord Rama and his army to invade Lanka.

• Temple Timings: 6 am to 7 am

4. Dhanushkodi Temple

Dhanuskodi Temple (source)

The Dhanuskodi Temple is situated in the town of Dhanuskodi, close by to Rameshwaram. The temple now lies in a state of ruin but offers a beautiful view of the horizon.

The temple held great importance in its time and has been mentioned throughout the Ramayana. This place is a must visit for people who want to enjoy some great scenery and peace and quiet.

• Timings: 6 am to 6 pm

5. Nambu Nayaki Amman Temple

Nambu Nayaki Amman Temple (source)

The Nambu Nayaki Amman Temple is located approximately 8 kilometres from the Ramanathaswamy Temple and is dedicated to the goddess Dakshina Kali. The temple was initially located in Dhanushkodi but, after the cyclone of 1964, it was shifted near the Ramanathaswamy Temple.

The temple’s goddess is said to bless the local fisherman with good health and fertility. The goddess is said to have appeared to two sages, who then stayed in the village to cure the ailing people of the town.

• Timings: 5.30 am to 6 pm

6. Gandhamadhana Parvatham

Gandhamadhana Parvatham

Gandhamadhana Parvatham Temple is located on a mountain near Rameshwaram. This mountain is said to be the place Rama sent Hanuman to get medicinal herbs required to save Laxman’s life. According to legend, Hanuman then carried the mountain to its current spot.

On top of the mountain lies the temple that is said to have the imprints of Lord Rama’s feet. The temple is located 3 kilometres from Rameshwaram and is said to be the highest viewing point in Rameshwaram.

• Timings: 6 am to 6 pm

Rameshwaram is known for being a spot that attracts pilgrims from all over the world because of its rich history and religious significance. Its temples add to its sacred culture. Visiting these temples will leave you with a sense of spirituality and tranquillity.

The post The Top 6 Temples in Rameshwaram appeared first on Treebo Blog.