Day 2: A Sacred Sojourn to Rameshwaram

Having completed our exploration of Madurai in a day, we set our sights on the sacred town of Rameshwaram, a place of immense religious significance and timeless legends.



We began our day at a leisurely pace, waking up around 7 AM and enjoying a hearty breakfast before boarding a comfortable AC bus at 8:30 AM. The three-hour journey to Rameshwaram was smooth and pleasant, offering glimpses of Tamil Nadu’s serene landscape along the way. We had to cross the famous Pamban bridge that gave us a breathtaking view of Bay of Bengal.



Upon reaching the Rameshwaram Bus Stand, we had to cover an additional 2.5 km to reach the temple area. Fortunately, a local town bus was available, which made the commute easy. We had pre-booked our stay in Rameshwaram, and our hotel was conveniently located within walking distance of the temple.


A Brief Glimpse of Rameshwaram Temple


After checking into our hotel and dropping off our luggage, we encountered a small hiccup—Vidya had developed a travel-related stomach upset, and despite being on antibiotic cover, the symptoms persisted. To ease her discomfort, she took an anti-diarrheal tablet and, despite feeling weak, bravely accompanied us to the temple complex for a preliminary visit.


Since the main sanctum of the Rameshwaram Temple was closed until 4 PM, we decided to explore the legendary temple corridors in the meantime. The sheer grandeur of the pillared hallways left us awe-struck—endless rows of intricately carved pillars stretching into the distance, an architectural marvel that spoke volumes of the temple’s historical and spiritual significance.






After this brief yet mesmerizing preview, we returned to our hotel for lunch and some much-needed rest before heading back to the temple by 3:30 PM.


Darshan at Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple


Navigating the Rameshwaram Temple complex was akin to walking through a labyrinth, with multiple pathways leading in different directions. However, helpful signages guided us toward the main sanctum. As soon as the temple doors opened, we joined the queue, moving steadily toward the divine Jyotirlinga of Rameshwaram—one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas of India.


The Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple holds a special place in Hindu mythology, as this Jyotirlinga is believed to have been consecrated by Lord Rama himself before embarking on his journey to Lanka. Standing before the deity, immersed in the temple’s divine aura, was an indescribable experience—one of peace, devotion, and deep reverence.


Exploring the Smaller Shrines


After the Jyotirlinga darshan, we proceeded to seek blessings from Goddess Parvati, followed by visits to several smaller shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, and other deities. We also had the opportunity to visit a temple dedicated to Sage Patanjali, the revered sage known for his contributions to yoga and Sanskrit grammar, who is believed to have attained samadhi here.


As the evening descended upon Rameshwaram, we felt immensely grateful for the day’s experiences—a journey filled with spiritual enlightenment, architectural wonder, and a deep connection to the legends of Lord Rama.


Thus, our second day of travel ended on a profoundly fulfilling note, leaving us eager for the next leg of our Tamil Nadu adventure.

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