Rameswaram

Rameswaram is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Hindu Religion. It is believed that Lord Rama had worshiped this Jyotirlinga in order to win in the fight with Ravan. The temple is located very near to the sea (100 meters) in the island of Rameswaram. There are 22 teerthas or holy water sources inside the temple. You can buy a ticket of 25/- to bath in all these 22 teerthas inside the temple. Agni Teertham- The sea near the temple (Bay of Bengal) is known as Agni Teertham which is also considered very sacred for bathing. Including these teerthas there are altogether 64 teerthas in Rameswaram. Rama Teertham and Panchamukhi Hanuman- is about 2 kms from Rameswaram Temple by the side of the main road connecting the main temple. The water of this pond is believed to be very sacred by Hindus. There is panchamukhi Hanuman temple near Rama teertham where you will find lot of floating stones which were used to build sethubandha in the past. Laxman Teertham is another ancient temple in Rameswaram about 1 km from Rama Teertham and 3 kms from main Jyotirlinga Temple. Near Laxman Teertham, there is Sita Teertham, a small pond which is almost dried up and filled with garbage. Viloondi Teertham is about 8 kms from Rameswaram Temple, located in between Rameswaram Temple and Pamban Bride. The teertham is a sweet water well in the middle of sea water. According to mythological stories Rama shot an arrow to get sweet water at this place to quench the thirst of Sita and others. Pambam bridge is another attraction of Rameswaram. This is India's first sea bridge constructed in 1914. It is about 2kms long and is also the longest sea bridge in India. Vivekananda memorial is located near Kunthukal beach in Rameswaram. It is located on the south west side of Rameswaram Island which is about 15 kms from Rameswaram Temple and 8 kms from Pamban Beach. Apart from the memorial the other attraction here is Kunthukal Sea beach. Jada Teertham or Jata Mukuta Teertham is one of the 64 teertham of Rameswaram. This is about 8 kms from Rameswaram temple on the way to Dhanuskodi. You have to walk about 200 meters from the road to reach this place. As per mythology, after completion of Lanka war with Ravana, Lord Rama washed his Jata or hair at this place. Kodanda Ramar Temple or Bibhisan Temple is about 12 kms from Rameswaram main Temple near Dhanuskodi. The temple is sorrounded by sea water at all sides except a connecting road form the highway. It is a beautiful spot and a must visit if you are going to Rameswaram. Dhanuskodi is a part of Sethubandha that is extended into the sea from Rameswaram towards Srilanka. The view of sea is different at different points in Dhanuskodi. While near Bibhisan temple there is less water and no waves, in Dhanuskodi beach there is deep water and high waves.