Rameshwaram

Varanasi of the South...

Rameshwaram is a small town in Ramanathapuram district and is located on an island separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel and is less than 40 km from the Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka. It is considered to be one of the holiest places in India to the Hindu Community and a part of the Chardham pilgrimages. This holy city is also termed as the "Varanasi of the South". The temple here is dedicated to Lord Shiva named "Sri Ramanathaswamy" known for its long corridors and towers and 36 holy tanks (theertam).

The story behind this holy place is Lord Rama purified this place by worshipping Lord Shiva after the war against Ravana. The sea is just 100 m away from the temple. A strong belief in Rameshwaram among the Hindus is doing the pilgrimage to Benaras is incomplete without a pilgrimage to Rameshwaram.