The prayers were offered to plead forgiveness since Ravana happened to be a great devotee of Lord Siva. The temple is very old and was rebuilt several times by various kings. Of particular note are the exquisitely sculptured pillars that line the long corridor.

Prime Places

• The Ramanathaswami temple faces east and the sea is about 100metres from the temple's main entrance. Devotees bathe in the sea water which is considered sacred and is known as Agni Theertham.

• The Kothandaramaswami temple at Dhanushkodi, the southernmost tip of the island, is associated with events and episodes of the Ramayana.

• Another such place is the Gandhamadhana Parvatham which is the highest point on the island. There is a mandapam or hall here with an imprint of Rama's padham or foot on a chakra (wheel).

• Kurusadai islands : Apart from pilgrims, Rameswaram is of great interest to marine biologists for, in the waters surrounding the island are beautiful coral reefs in which live a wide variety of sea creatures. The Kurusadai islands on the west of the Pamban bridge are an ideal place to explore the sea. The Gulf of Mannar has been declared as a Bio-sphere Reserve and is being developed as an ecologically sensitive area.

• Dhanushkodi : (18 kms.) : The southernmost tip of the island Dhanushkodi was completely washed away by the 1964 cyclone. The Kothandaramaswamy temple here, remains intact and it contains icons of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman and Vibishana. It can be reached by road from Rameswaram.

• Ramanathapuram : This is an ancient town from where the Sethupathis ruled their territory. The Ramalinga Vilasam palace paintings, and the tomb of Thayumana Swamigal, a philosopher, saint, are worth visiting.
• Mandapam : Connects Rameswaram with the main land. A boat ride to Kurusadai island can be arranged from here.
• Tirupullani : (14 kms.) Also known as Dharbasayanam, the Vishnu temple here is dedicated to Lord Adi Jaganathaperumal.
• Devipattinam : (15 kms.) Also known as Navabashnam, this coastal village has a temple dedicated to Devi.
• Erwadi : (21 kms.) The tomb of Ibrahim Syed Aulia is visited by the Muslim pilgrims from other States and countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore. The annual festival in honour of this saint takes place in December. It is 8 kms from Keezhakarai.
• Kanchirankulam : (35kms.) A water bird sanctuary is located here. (Season : November to February)
• Valinokkam : (90 kms.) A sea side village with a verdant beach and natural scenery. The sea here is very calm.

• By Road : Rameswaram is connected by road to all important towns and has bus services from Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, etc.

• By Rail : It is a terminus on the Southern Railway metre gauge line and has trains to Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy and Thanjavur.

WHERE TO SAY

Hotel Tamil Nadu (TTDC), Rameswaram. Tel : 21277
Fax : 04573 - 21070

SHOPPING : The local handicrafts include articles made of sea shells , palm leaf ,corals and conches.

TOURIST INFORMATION

• Tourist Office, 14 East Car Street,
  Rameswaram- 623 526
  Tel :21 371
• Tourist Information Centre, Railway Station Compound,
  Rameswaram - 623 526
  Tel :21 373
• Temple Information Centre, (Inside the temple), East Side, Ramanathaswamy temple,
  Rameswaram - 623 526,
  Tel :21 246

• Area : 51.8 sq. kms.
• Population : 32,660 (1991 census)
• Altitude : Sea level
• Climate :
  Summer: Max. 48.0ºC Min. 46.0ºC
  Winter : Max. 30.0ºC Min. 25.0ºC
• Rainfall : 50 cms average
• Clothing : Cotton
• Season : Throughout the year
• Languages spoken : Tamil-Local language and English
• STD Code : 04573