Discover Rameshwaram beyond the temple town

Rameshwaram is not your usual beach destination. It is a place revered by the Hindus and loved by travellers, who like to explore beyond the usual. It is that small island sitting between the peninsular India and Sri Lanka. As per the Hindu epic Ramayana, Ram’s Vaanar Sena (army of monkeys) built a bridge of rocks to reach the kingdom of Lanka where Ravan held Ram’s wife Sita captive. Later, that bridge came to be known as Rama Setu or Adam’s Bridge.

If we can look beyond the mythology, the Rama Setu is nothing but a naturally occurring limestone formation. The Govt. of India, along with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), established a while back that there is proof that it was built by Rama’s Vaanar Sena. A good pair of eyes and a train ride to Rameshwaram is all you need to see this rock formation.

Now that you have reached Rameshwaram, you might as well head to the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. This one is believed to have been built by Rama himself.


One great thing about Rameshwaram is that the destination is not just limited to religious experiences. For history, photography and nature enthusiasts, Rameshwaram is just perfect.



The Rama Setu is an integral part of Dhanushkodi, a village that fell victim to the 1964 Rameswaram Cyclone. Dhanushkodi Beach, in particular, is famous for its pristine beauty and the eerie remains of a town. If you have a good pair of eyes and a great guide, you will be able to spot the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.



Did you also know that Rameshwaram is the birthplace of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India? The renowned scientist spent a great part of his life in this sleepy town. You can trace his life at his old house that has been converted into a museum showcasing his life, achievements, and contributions to the nation.

Also read
Jorasanko Thakur Bari: Preserving Rabindranath Tagore’s heritage


Since travel and food go hand in hand, a visit to Rameshwaram also means trying the delicious local cuisine. There are a number of local seafood specials that one can try apart from the traditional South Indian dishes.