|
SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS
The
Ramanathaswamy temple is a delight
for every tourist. According to
mythology, Hanuman was sent by Lord Rama to bring a Lingam to worship at an
appointed auspicious hour. As Hanuman's
arrival was delayed, Sita moulded a lingam for Rama's timely worship, which is
today the deity worshipped as Ramanathaswamy.
With its magnificent, imposing structure, long corridors and
aesthetically carved pillars, the Ramanathaswamy temple is adorned with a
towering 38-metre Gopuram. Construction of the grand temple began in the 12th
century. The magnificent Ramanathaswamy temple boasts of the longest corridor
measuring 197-metre from East to West and 133-metre from South to North, the
third largest in the world!
The
tourist map of the district of Ramanathapuram is deeply entrenched with places
of mythological significance. The Gandhamathana
Parvatha, situated 3 km to the north of the temple is the highest point in
the island. It has a two storeyed Mandapam, where Rama's feet (Padam) are found
as an imprint on a chakra. The Sukreevar Temple
and Theertham are situated on the
way to Gandhamadana Parvatham. Devi
Durga is the chief deity of the Badrakali
Amman Temple, which is en-route to the Gandhamathana Parvatham. Dhanushkodi and the Kurusadai Island
with its Marine Biosphere, the tomb of
Sultan Ibrahim Syed Aulia and Sethu
Karai at Erwadi, are places worth visiting around Ramanathapuram.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Tourist
Office,
14,
East Car Street,
Rameswaram
Ph:
221371
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Excursions:
Oriyur
is one of the most revered pilgrim centers for Christians the world over as it
is home to the martyrdom of St. John De Britto, a Portuguese Jesuit better
known as 'Arul Anandar'. Childless couples and people with incurable diseases
are said to have their wishes fulfilled after visiting the shrine and praying
to the saint.
Lying
on the Ramanathapuram Rameswaram
National Highway and just 19 km before Rameswaram
lies this sleepy coastal village
of Mandapam. One can take
a boat for a cruise through the mangrove marshes to Kurusadai Island.
Gulf of Manner Marine National Park is a Marine
Biosphere that runs along with coasts of Ramanathapuram and Thuthukudi
(Tuticorin) districts. This National Park is full of coral reefs, the dugong,
turtles, dolphins and balano-glossus.
The
ancient town of Ramanathapuram
also known as Ramnad is the head quarters of the Ramanathapuram district of
Tamil Nadu. It was from here that the Sethupathis (Chieftains) ruled this
territory. The district contains the Indian portion of Rama's Bridge, an
east-west chain of low islands and shallow reefs that extend between India and the island nation of Sri Lanka, and separate the Palk Strait from the
Gulf of Mannar.
In
the early 15th Century the present territories of Ramanathapuram came under the
rule of the Pandiyans followed by succeeding dynasties of the Cholas, the
Nayaks of Vijayanagar, Maratthas and finally into the hands of the British
empire.
Ramalingavilasam Palace is still occupied by Sethupaty Raja and his family
and is a popular sightseeing spot on the tourist map of Ramnad. The Tomb of Thayumana Swamighal and the
Museum are other places worth visiting here. Ramanathapuram is close to
Devipatinam and Rameshwaram, two important pilgrim centres in India.
Local
legend has it that the victorious Lord Shri Ram after defeating the
demon-Ravana returned back to Rameswaram with his brother Lakshman and Hanuman
along with his army of monkeys by building a bridge with rocks to cross the 'Sethu canal' and reach India. Lord
Rama is also believed to have sanctified this place by worshipping and
glorifying Lord Shiva marking the confluence of Shaivism and Vaishnavism and is
thus revered by both Shaivites and Vaishnavites alike. There is a strong belief
that bathing in the 22 'Theerthams' or natural springs is a step towards
enlightenment. A dip in the Agnitheertham, Jadayu Theertham and Villoondi
Theertham is considered to be very auspicious.
|
.gif){kind=small}
