It was morning, I woked up suddenly as all around me were moving. They were moving so they could get themselves to the window and doors of the train. The train was all slowed down suddenly. I too managed to reach a window and wow the train was on the bridge THE PAMBAN BRIDGE.
Train slowly moving on the low raised bridge, the scorching waves hitting its poles and that morning sky.
Pamban bridge (from 1914) till 1988 was the only surface transportation that connected the Mandapam town with Pamban Island and Rameswaram. Courtesy: Wikipedia 😃Rameswaram is a town on Pamban Island.
As I reached the Rameswaram railway station🚏, since my stay wasn't preplanned I decided to keep my luggage at the railway's cloakroom. What I kept with me was a small bag with things that I will need for the next 24 hours ⌛.
I started for Rameswaram from Madras at about 0500 am. Indian Railways do have many facilities which can surely add up to your good experiences while you are traveling. May it be the restrooms, dormitory, or cloakrooms. (To avail the above said things you need to have a PNR. )
Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple ⛩
Another marvelous temple and although it holds its prominent place in 12 Jyotirlinga Temples of India.
It's construction is the same as the Padmanabhamswamy Temple from Trivandrum. Four gopurams and the sanctum surrounded by high compound walls.
The significance of this very temple goes back to the Ramayana when Shree Ram prayed Lord Shiva to set himself free from the sin of killing a Brahmana (Ravan) after the battle of Lanka. The main sanctum is said to have the same linga which was worshiped by Shree Ram. The Agni Teertham is the place that is the most sacred place where all pilgrimage took a dip before visiting Ramnathaswamy.
It is said to be a temple with the longest corridor, as you walk through one of them you realize and you are prompted to think about it's very brief and marvelous architecture. अधभूत अविस्मरणीय was my reaction while I walked through those corridors. The main temple does have a large mirror set up in such a way that it shows you the reflections of the Ramanathaswamy (the linga) enlightened by the diyas. I was not in so hurry, so it took me about an hour to seek blessings for the rest of my journey 😇.
Another day in Dhoti 😃, it's great to be part of some costume some tradition ___ isn't that ???Ghost Town??? Not Anymore 🙃
I took a bus that runs from Rameswaram temple to Dhanushkodhi (TN state transport).
Always rush for window seats 💺 😃
As I was approaching the very place I noticed that things were no more the same, miles with no people around no towns no busy life. It's said once the Dhanushkodhi was the busiest belt famous for its fishing and also because it is the last mainland between India and Sri Lanka.
Dhanushkodhi: it is termed as a ghost town because it is an abandoned town at the South East tip of Pamban. The well-settled fishing town was all destroyed in 1964 Rameswaram Cyclone.
As I reached the Dhanushkodi I thought I was at the tip of the Pamban, near Ram Setu. But I noticed a barrier which was to stop the vehicles, from their even the road was motorable, vehicles weren't allowed. So the tip for which Dhanushkodhi is known was 4.8 km away.
As I reached there I felt the heat of why that's been called a ghost town. All remains dating back to 1964, the mystic and haunting remain of churches, temples, and much more.
But what I know about that place was something different from what I saw. Now there exists a market selling you the handicrafts, shops all around the mystic remains. Nothing was there to call it a ghost town. I would term it as a living one ☝ .
The End Point 🎯
As no vehicles were allowed further to reach the end tip, to reach their only way was to walk 4.8 km. The road in midst of the sea on both sides gave me the vibrant views and yes the wind above the sea was hitting me so hard, that was an instant recharge available their 😃😍.
I was like कभी left कभी right along the road as I don't want to miss a single inch of that walk 👣. You will never need 🎧 such roads, it's already full of music.
Arichal Munai is the last beach before you hit the Last Point, which is also called Ram Setu View Point.
I saw many disappointed faces as they walked so long to have a glimpse of the Ram Sethu(Adams Bridge). It's not Visible maybe because of the raised water levels. But I would suggest there is more than that, the sense of relaxation.
The walk of about 9-10 km was worth it. I walked on the road, along the shores, collecting seashells, singing in my own 🎤 chores with the waves 😅🤗....🌊a few moments later I threw those shells back because shells are better when they are in the sea (जो तेरा है वो तुझे अर्पित). What I brought back from that end was all good vibes ❣️🍷 and memories.
☘
It's just of day one at Pamban Island, rest is yet to come 😍 stay tuned
Thank You.