Day 4: Rameshwaram and Journey to Thanjavur

 Day 4: Rameshwaram and Journey to Thanjavur – A Day of Divine Blessings and Tranquil Transitions

Our day began before dawn, as we had to wake up at 4:30 AM to witness the darshan of the Sphatik (Crystal) Lingam at the Rameshwaram Temple, which is available for viewing only between 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM.

By 5:30 AM, we were ready and made our way to the temple. The temple volunteers guided us to the ₹200 special darshan queue, and by 6:00 AM, we had the divine blessing of witnessing the Sphatik Lingam, a sacred Shiva Lingam believed to have been gifted by the Maharaja of Nepal to Adi Shankaracharya. The peaceful and spiritually charged atmosphere made this an unforgettable experience.







As we stepped out of the temple by 6:10 AM, we decided to head towards the boating area for a serene experience on the Bay of Bengal. The boating service was scheduled to start at 6:00 AM, but due to a lack of passengers, it was delayed until 6:45 AM. While waiting, we were blessed with a breathtaking sunrise over the Bay of Bengal. Watching the golden hues of the rising sun reflecting off the water was truly mesmerizing.

Finally, the boat ride began at 6:45 AM, and for the next 30 minutes, we enjoyed a peaceful and scenic ride, soaking in the beauty of the surroundings.






 We again wanted to take the darshan of the Jyotirlinga at the Rameshwaram Temple for one last visit.

So deeply immersed were we in the divine energy of the temple that after one darshan, we immediately joined the queue again to have another. This filled us with an immense sense of peace and fulfillment, marking a perfect farewell to Rameshwaram.

By 9:30 AM, hunger set in, and we headed for a hearty breakfast. Post breakfast, we visited the Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple, where we once again saw the floating stones, similar to the ones we had witnessed in Dhanushkodi.

A Leisurely Afternoon and Departure for Thanjavur

By noon, we returned to our hotel and packed our belongings. Since our train was scheduled for 5:55 PM from Mandapam station, we had a relaxed lunch, followed by a short nap to recharge ourselves.


Mandapam Station


At 3:30 PM, we checked out of our room and proceeded towards Mandapam station, as the Pamban railway bridge was closed for repairs. Our train departed on time, and we enjoyed a comfortable journey to Thanjavur.

Arrival at Thanjavur – A Midnight Check-in

We reached Thanjavur at midnight, and thankfully, I had already booked an IRCTC retiring room. Without any delays, we checked in and quickly settled into a deep sleep, preparing ourselves for another exciting day ahead in the land of Chola grandeur.


Stay tuned in for an exciting day tomorrow at Tanjavur 






Sunrise at Rameshwaram 

A view from the boat

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