10 BEST Things to Do in Rameswaram

Rameswaram, a beach town in Tamil Nadu, is notable for being India's closest point to neighboring Sri Lanka. It is located on Pamban Island inside the Gulf of Munnar, at the point of the Indian Peninsula, close to the Indian mainland. Rameswaram is also a well-known pilgrimage site. The place holds great significance for Hindus as one of the four ancient abodes linked with Lord Vishnu's incarnations. According to legend, Lord Ram (the seventh avatar of Vishnu) constructed a bridge from Rameswaram to Sri Lanka to save his wife, Sita, from the claws of the demon king Ravan. Hindus believe that visiting all of the Char Dhams will assist them in achieving moksha (liberation from rebirth). 

What is the best thing to do in Rameswaram? If you have come to one of India’s largest island towns, then surely you would want to know which the best places to visit in Rameswaram are and what the best things to do in Rameswaram are. Here’s our list of top 10 things to do in Rameswaram that will take you on an exciting day trip from this touristic town on Tamil Nadu’s southeastern coast. 

When is it best to visit Rameswaram?

 Rameswaram is the best place to visit between October and April. However, in terms of climate, Rameswaram has a tropical environment, which implies that while the seasons change dramatically, the temperatures may not. As a result, Rameswaram is a year-round tourist attraction. Winters (November to February) are mild, with temperatures as low as 17 degrees Celsius. This is the best time to go sightseeing and explore areas of the city. The Monsoons (July to September) are humid with normal rainfall, yet the magnificent views of the coastline region are attractive during these times. 

How to Reach Rameswaram

 Air: The city does not operate its airport, but travelers from all across the nation may land at the nearby airport in Madurai. The Madurai airport is around 170 kilometers from the center of Rameswaram. To go to this pious city, one may easily take personal cabs or cars from the airport.

 Road: Because the city is accessible to all large cities in Tamil Nadu, you may easily reach there by road. There is a frequent bus service from Madurai and several other places to Tamil Nadu. Chennai is around 650 kilometers from Rameshwaram's core. By road, Rameswaram is accessible from Madurai (169 km), Tiruchirappalli (271 km), and Thanjavur (231 km).

 Train: All main stations in Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai, Thanjavur, and Chennai are directly connected by train to Rameswaram. Railway lines link major towns in Tamil Nadu straight to Rameswaram. Trains of many sorts arrive and leave from the city, including ultrafast, express, and postal trains. 

Take a Boat Ride on Pichavaram Lake 

 For those looking for one of the best tourist places in Rameswaram, I recommend taking a boat ride on Pichavaram Lake. Unlike most artificial lakes created for human leisure, Pichavaram is natural. Considered a wetland, the lake is home to many different species of flora and fauna. It is just about 1 km from where I stayed and if you are up for an adventure, we rented a canoe. There are many ways you can take your boat ride: paddle it yourself or take a paddleboat out with someone rowing it or rent a motorized rowboat. Regardless of which route you choose, it will be worth your time and effort; Pichavaram was beautiful! 

Dhanuskodi Beach

 One of the best places to visit in Rameswaram is Dhanuskodi Beach, where a large ghat is built on the coastline. The beach is located at the end of Pamban Bridge and it has dunes as well as clean water for you to enjoy with your friends or family. If you want to learn more about India's spiritual history, then make sure you visit Mahabalipuram which was used by pilgrims from all over the world. There are also some really good vegetarian restaurants nearby if you prefer healthy food and want to keep your strength up for traveling further into India. The list of BEST things to do near this area goes on! 

As a result, distinguishing between the high and low tides of the former appears difficult. Before the damage inflicted by the 1964 hurricane, the seaside town was heavily inhabited. With a population of barely 500 fishermen and their families, the government has labeled the town as a "Ghost Town." It is presently one of Rameshwaram's famous tourist attractions. 

Adam’s Bridge

 There are several of the best places to visit in Rameswaram, but one of the most visited places is Adam’s Bridge. Today, this bridge is submerged underwater and very difficult to see; however, it was at one time considered a man-made chain made from rocks on the surface. Its size was almost 130 miles long and provided access from India to Sri Lanka for over 1,500 years before it was covered by sand. The authenticity of this bridge has been debated for many years with some claiming that its natural formation caused erosion between India and Sri Lanka. Evidence towards the story is starting with Tamil literature from before 140 BC speaks about this being a water gateway between two countries.

One of Rameshwaram's most prominent tourist destinations is the bridge, which has long been a topic of debate among historians and archaeologists. It is one of the most prominent Rameswaram tourism sites due to its geographical and religious importance. 

Pamban Bridge

 Pamban Bridge is one of the best places to visit in Rameswaram. Two notable bridges connect Pamban Island to the Indian mainland. Pamban Rail Bridge is India's longest sea bridge. It was finished in 1914. The Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge, which was built in 1988 and runs parallel to the railway bridge, is the alternative option. It is India's 2nd largest sea bridge, measuring 1.46 miles in length (the Bandra-Worli Sealink in Mumbai is the longest). A train trip over the railway bridge is especially thrilling because it is so close to the ocean close that the middle section of the bridge opens to allow boats to pass. Because there aren't many trains that cross this bridge, you should plan your journey carefully. Every day at roughly 5 p.m., the Rameswaram Chennai Express departs from Rameswaram rail. Another closest station where you can take a train is Pamban Junction. Purchase a ticket for an exciting voyage across this interesting sea bridge. 

Nambu Nayagiamman Temple

 The Nambu Nayagiamman Temple is a Hindu temple situated on the right side of the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple complex. The statue of the goddess at this temple is so big that it dominates your vision as you enter the complex. Her stature and facial features have been carved out from the red stone. Many holy rituals, festivals, and events are observed here with special preparations undertaken for the Navaratri festival in the Tamil month of Chithirai. Women performing puja and offerings make this one of the best places to visit in Rameswaram.

According to legend, the goddess came in the form of Dakshina Kali before the two sages Dakshina Duruvan and Pachima Caravan. They began residing in the same location to heal the people after being gifted with visions of Mother Goddess. This is why inhabitants of neighboring villages go to the temple in search of solutions to their issues. 

Visit Manapadu Beach

 The best place to visit in Rameswaram is Manapadu Beach. This beach is the only man-made one on the Tamil coastline. It was created during the 1996 Tsunami by damming all of Vedalangu, then widening it into a stretch of the waterway for boats and ships.

The best time to visit Manapadu Beach is at sunset for some stunning views, or during the early morning hours when there are no people around. You can also hike up the nearby Kalvarayan hill to get an even better view! 

Pancha Pandava Ratholsavam

 The best places to visit in Rameswaram are the Pancha Pandava Ratholsavam and the Shankarananda Temple. This festival is an old tradition of worshipping Lord Shiva and goes on for eleven days. The event starts with the idol of Lord Ganesha, from which attendees have their prasad. 

Nearby attractions include Uppalam Beach, where you can go for a picnic or take a dip on a hot day. Those who come for business can enjoy Devaraja Market, and those seeking culinary delight will want to check out Kanaga Durgabari Temple.

The Panch Rathas building was constructed between the 7th and 8th centuries by Narsimhavarman I of the Pallava dynasty. The temples are designed in the style of pagodas and resemble Buddhist temples. 

Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple

One of the best places to visit in Rameswaram is Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the oldest temples in the region. Rameswaram is unique in that, while the town is mostly connected with Lord Ram, its primary temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Why? Lord Ram is reported to have worshipped Lord Shiva, the destroyer, to be cleansed of his guilt for murdering Ravan. Ramanathaswamy Temple is also notable for having two lingams (symbols of Lord Shiva). Lord Hanuman delivered one from the Himalayas at Ram's request, while Sita constructed the other out of the sand when the advent of the first lingam was delayed. From the 12th century forward, several kings constructed the temple. The beautiful hall will most take those who are not Hindu with over 1,200 carved sandstone pillars that form the outer hallway. 

Eat At Hema's Kitchen

 Located near the beach, Hema's Kitchen is one of the best places to visit in Rameswaram. The menu has a wide variety of both south Indian and continental cuisines. I recommend ordering one plate for two people so you can sample more dishes. We tried everything from appams with different toppings to some delectable North Indian specialties like butter chicken, daal makhani, and tandoori shrimp. For those who are not fans of Indian food, there is a great variety of paninis and sandwiches that come with salads and soup for the perfect lunch spot. They even serve pizzas if you're craving something with more Western flavors. 

Bird Sanctuary

 The best tourist places in Rameswaram are water bird sanctuaries. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the many bird sanctuaries that may be explored on day excursions from Rameswaram. The closest bird sanctuary to Rameswaram is Arichamunai Bird Sanctuary, located near Dhanushkodi. From December to March, you may be able to view flamingos that have flown in from Australia. They are all seeking food in the sea. The sanctuaries of Chitrangudi and Kanjirankulam are also worth seeing on the island. They're both located in Mudukulathur in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district, around two hours from Rameswaram. Another alternative is the Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, which is about an hour's drive from Rameswaram on the mainland. The majority of the birds visit between October and March. There are many painted storks, pelicans, egrets, and ibis among them.