Rameshwaram, situated at the tip of South India on the religious and cultural map of India, is such a holy pilgrimage site, where every devotee starts feeling a different spiritual peace and divine energy as soon as he steps foot. Situated like an island between the blue waters of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, this holy city is one of the four Dhams of the country and is considered the biggest center of faith for Hindus. Every part of this historical place belonging to the Ramayana period bears testimony to the stories of Lord Shri Ram and his epic, where in Treta Yuga, Lord Rama worshiped Lord Shiva before attacking Lanka. Keeping in mind the convenience of the travelers and tourists coming from every corner of the country, IRCTC, the official tourism unit of Indian Railways, operates special tour packages from time to time, through which devotees can visit these holy places in a very low budget without any hassle of travel. If you also want to see this wonderful confluence of religion and architecture closely at least once in your lifetime, then you must know about these seven special things related to Rameshwaram and this great opportunity of IRCTC. Ramanathaswamy Temple Corridors and Architectural Marvel The first and most prominent feature of Rameshwaram is the world famous Ramanathaswamy Temple, which has a distinct identity in the whole world for its grand architecture and vastness. The long and seemingly endless corridors of this ancient temple are counted among the longest corridors in the world, which have been made by carving granite stones very finely. In total, there are more than 1200 huge carved pillars standing inside the temple, seeing whose craftsmanship even the great engineers of the modern era remain stunned. It is believed that just by walking in these corridors, all the mental disorders go away and devotees attain supernatural mental peace. The mythological carvings on the walls and ceilings of the temple reflect the glorious history of Indian Sanatan culture, to see which historians and photographers from all over the world especially come to Rameshwaram. The Sacred Tirthas and Holy Bath at Agni Theertham There are a total of 64 sacred Tirthas (Kunds) present in and around the Rameshwaram Temple, bathing in which has special religious and spiritual significance in Sanatan Dharma. Among all these ponds, 'Agni Tirtha' located along the beach is considered to be the main and the first shrine where devotees take a holy dip before starting their journey. According to mythological beliefs, after the killing of Ravana, when issues were raised in the society about the purity of Mother Sita, she had given the fire test and Lord Rama had taken bath at this place and worshiped Lord Shiva to atone for his sins and attain peace. Situated amidst the calm waves of the sea, taking bath early in the morning at sunrise and offering prayers to one's ancestors is considered a very virtuous act. For every pilgrim coming here, sprinkling the water of these sacred ponds or taking a bath in them is an important part of the religious ritual. Dhanushkodi Ghost Town and Ram Setu End Point Located just a few kilometers away from Rameshwaram city, Dhanushkodi is a mysterious and very beautiful place which is also called the 'end' or ghost town of India. The entire city was destroyed in a terrible cyclonic storm in the year 1964, after which the government declared it unsafe to live, but today this place is the main center of tourist attraction due to its natural beauty and historical importance. From this place, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet, and the color of the sea water is clearly visible divided into two different colors. According to legends, it was here that Lord Rama marked the starting point of the bridge with the tip of his bow which is known today to the whole world as 'Ram Setu' or Adam's Bridge. Standing at this deserted and historical place surrounded by blue sea on all four sides and listening to the sound of the waves is a very exciting and hair-raising experience for the tourists. Gandhamadana Parvatham and Floating Stone Wonder For the tourists coming to Rameshwaram, Gandhamadana Mountain is such a scenic spot from where a panoramic 360 degree view of the entire city and the sea can be seen simultaneously. This place is the highest point of the city and here in a small temple, the footprints (Charanarvind) of Lord Shri Ram are imprinted on a wheel, which is worshiped with full devotion by devotees coming from far and wide. It is believed that before Ravana's attack on Lanka, Hanuman ji had jumped from this hill and took stock of Lanka. Apart from this, the Kalam National Memorial located near Rameshwaram and the magical 'Floating Stones' which were used during the construction of Ram Setu also attract tourists. Touching these stones that float in water without sinking and understanding the science and history behind them is a moment full of curiosity and surprise for tourists of every age group. IRCTC Tour Packages and Travel Convenience for Pilgrims IRCTC, a subsidiary of Indian Railways, has taken the initiative to make the journey to Rameshwaram very easy, safe and economical for the common people and elderly devotees. Special train and flight tour packages to Rameshwaram are frequently operated by IRCTC from various major cities of the country such as Chennai, Madurai, Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad. The biggest feature of these packages is that in this, passengers get reserved train or flight ticket, AC or non-AC hotel to stay, cab or bus facility for local travel and pure vegetarian food in one fare. Travelers do not have to go through the hassle of booking tickets separately or finding hotels, allowing them to completely focus on their pilgrimage without any mental stress. These budget-friendly packages are proving to be a boon for families of every category, which you can easily book through the official website of IRCTC or the authorized app. Local Culture Delights and Best Time to Visit Rameshwaram To make your religious trip to Rameshwaram more memorable, it is equally important to experience the local culture, traditions and food here. Traditional dishes cooked in South Indian style, coconut water and local offerings found on the sea shore add to the flavor of this trip. In the local markets here, you will find traditional handicrafts of Tamil Nadu, artefacts made of conch shells and religious books at very affordable prices, which you can take home with you as souvenirs. As far as weather is concerned, the time from October to March is considered to be the best time to visit Rameshwaram, because during this time the weather here is very pleasant, with cool winds and favorable for travel. The moments spent on this holy land at the feet of Lord Rama become such an invaluable asset of your life, which you can never forget.
