The Rameswaram Temple

Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples of high significance to Hindus. When I was a student, some RSS friends told me that anyone who is born in India is a Hindu. Because Hindu by their definition was people living by the Indus river. At Rameswaram the intense faith of the people left a mark on me. It is this faith that has kept the temples of India holy for thousands of years. If you share a little of this faith, only then you are Hindu. The place is filled with holy energy. A visit to such a place definitely changes you forever. I did participate in full measure with bathing in Agneetheertham and at the twenty wells inside the temple. It was a very fulfilling, peaceful, and happy experience.

Visits to ancient temples like Rameswaram make you question what makes us all different. Why do the rituals and architecture of ancient civilizations differ so much in different parts of the world? What drives these differences?

Agneetheertham

One takes bath at Agneetheertham before heading to the temple to take baths from 22 wells. Definitely an intense spiritual experience.

Hotel Tamil Nadu

Hotel Tamil Nadu, which is a govt of Tamil Nadu undertaking, is the only place to stay in Rameswaram. A big campus filled with neem trees close to the Rameswaram temple, agneetheertham, ferry, and everything of importance in Rameswaram. A Sea facing hotel where you can sit and watch the stars by the sea before going to sleep every night.

Passenger train from Rameswaram to Madurai

The train ride from Madurai to Rameswaram is really nice especially in the evenings. The sight of peacocks flying across the ocean is magical and indescribable. Unfortunately, my cell phone ran out of charge and could not take the pictures of flying peacocks. Must experience this journey once in your lifetime.

All kinds of yummy Chips for sale in train.

Rameswaram station.

Fans for sale for ten rupees.

The highlight of the journey is the pamban bridge.

House of Abdul Kalam at Rameswaram

Kalam's house is filled with stores. Kind of sad that it represents nothing of the statesman or scientist he was. Then again, all the stores in the street is named after him. You feel Kalam is still alive in Rameswaram.

Danushkodi

Danushkodi is one of the most clean, beautiful and pristine places in the world. Two oceans meet here. Also it is the end of India. 20 kms from here is Srilanka.

Rickshaw ride from Rameswaram to Danushkodi. Rickshaw driver Ravi turned out to be a good guide too.

At the sangam of two oceans - the Bay of Bengal and the Indian ocean.

A 1964 Rameswaram cyclone destroyed Danushkodi. Abdul Kalam is supposed to have studied in the school found among the ruins of Danushkodi. He later moved to Rameswaram. Now the place is filled with little shops selling jewelery and seashells.

At this place Ram made Ravan's brother king after the war. Now a temple with beautiful views.