Rameswaram

Rameswaram (இராமேசுவரம் Irāmēcuvaram) is a town on Pamban Island, in Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It's known for Ramanathaswamy Temple, a Hindu pilgrimage site with ornate corridors, huge sculpted pillars and sacred water tanks. Together with Varanasi, it is considered to be one of the holiest places in India for Hindus and part of the Char Dham (four abodes) pilgrimage.

Understand
It is separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel and is about 40 km from Mannar Island in Sri Lanka. It is in the Gulf of Mannar, at the tip of the Indian peninsula. Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, is connected to mainland India by the Pamban Bridge.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Madurai and is 174 km from Rameswaram. Most of the major Indian cities have daily flights here.

By train
Rameswaram [RMM] is directly connected via daily trains from Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Chennai. Direct connectivity from Coimbatore and Kanyakumari is available but not daily. You might find it difficult to find a direct train from North Indian cities.

By road
Connected with all important towns of Tamil Nadu, City Buses are available including night services. Point-to-Point services, Tourist taxis, auto/cycle rickshaws and horse carts are also available. The taxi charges for a small car (Indica) is around ₹5 per km. It costs around ₹1800 for the return trip from Madurai to Rameswaram. Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) operates Rameswaram – Tirupathi daily service.

Buy
If you are interested in buying seashell items, visit the Leema Shopping near Dr Kalam's House. You can get quality items in a comparatively well priced than elsewhere in Rameswaram.

Eat and drink
Several Marwadi Bojanalays, semi-sponsored restaurants for charity, are near the temple's west entrance and serve good food at a reasonable price.



Go next

 * Kanyakumari - A train 'Rameswaram Kanyakumari SF express' departs thrice a week (Monday, Thursday and Saturday) at 8:45PM from Rameswaram railway station and arrives at Kanniyakumari at 4:05AM, with plenty of time to reach Kanniyakumari beach and catch the spectacular sunrise. Do consult the latest railway timetable for schedule changes. There is also a bus to Kanniyakumari twice a day. It leaves at around 7AM and 7PM. It is an atrocious journey through awful roads and takes about 4 to 5 hours but it goes direct.Train runs on Ramanathapuram, Manamadurai, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil routes whereas Buses passes through Ramanathapuram, Kilakarai, Ervadi, Sayalgudi, Tuticorin, Tiruchendur (East Coastal Road).
 * Madurai - There are 3 passenger trains that depart from Rameswaram daily and do not require prior reservation. Departure times are 5:25AM, 5:35PM and 12:05AM. The journey takes roughly 4 hours and is quite comfortable, with the day trains offering not to be missed views. Do consult the latest railway timetable for schedule changes. There are frequent buses as well.
 * Chennai - There are two express trains, Sethu Express and Rameswaram express (referred as Boat mail earlier) running on all days.
 * Coimbatore - A weekly train, Rameswaram-Coimbatore express running on every Wednesdays.