Gliding over the very First, the Oldest and formerly the Longest Ocean Sea Rail Bridge of India is a spellbound experience.
Wondering whats so exciting ?
Its the Pamban Bridge. !!!
Yes, the very same bridge and surroundings portrayed in movies like Chennai Express.
Pamban bridge by records, is one of the oldest, quite dangerous and weather wrath prone bridges of the world.
The name "Pamban" referenced from its subsequent village, itself is historic to take you back to Mythology and British Times.
This railway bridge is mature enough to be decommissioned any time, so let me influence you a bit with facts and my journey / experiences to place it on your Travel bucket list.
Rameshwaram was my next stop after Pondicherry, but something fascinating caught my sight - Pamban Bridge
There were 2 choices - Road or Train.
After reading about the Pamban bridge, I was soon convinced to take the train for its different voyage.
I booked the Rameshwaram Express that departs from Chennai Egmore station at ~ 8 pm.
Having spent almost the previous day in Pondicherry after 4 hours travel from Chennai by road, it wasn't possible to make it back to Chennai.
So, a Google search of the nearest station on the rail line from Pondicherry to Rameshwaram worked out, making me feel like a successful mission impossible agent.
So, with co-ordinated hoping of buses from Pondicherry and brisk walking with a local, I was a bit certain to take the train midway on route, from Villupuram Junction, an hour away from Chennai.
A noble local man helped me to make it walking from the bus stop to Villupuram station in 5 mins, and I made it 1 hour before the train would arrive. Silly and smart of myself I thought.
And now all I had to do was get a good night's sleep and wait for dawn, at least close to 7:30 - 8:00 am, to bask the glory of this historic bridge.
I specially dint want to miss the transition of lands from Mandapam to Pamban via the Rail bridge.
Now, why should you use the Pamban Rail Bridge ?
Unlike roller coaster rides, to float over the turbulent Indian ocean in a Train trying to cover its slow and steady pace, with strong winds blowing through the windows, is a thrill that you shouldn't miss.
You are roughly 12 - 14 feet above the water, with crack clinging screeches of train wheels rolling over the heavy cast rust iron bridge.
Just have a look down into the blue-green waters, you'll want to pull over !!!
You have the roaring Indian Ocean on the right, and the Calm Bay of Bengal waters on the left of your train, almost seeming to meet and clash beneath you.
Your heart is in your mouth when you see and hear the massive water strides gushing and splashing against the piers and heavy iron.
And, the strange part, you'll see all people over the adjacent bridge road and sand scraps waving out to you, giving you a "goodbye" rather than a "hi".
What to keep in mind ?
Sleeper class reservation !
A place towards the right of your cart is better.
Reasons, are many;
You can feel the ocean air and hear the nature, train moving over the rail and bridge around you.
Also, you aren't devoid of the views, the road bridge, and everything.
A sleeper class reservation also has less crowd as there are mostly villagers or locals in this section, and many tourists prefer the road bridge.
Time
You should get adequate sleep throughout the night, but make it a point to wake up after 7 am.
Reasons,
You wont believe until you see, but true, barren dessert areas with mini yellowish brown clad Sand Dunes and few grasslands after Mandapam on Indian Mailand side and before the Pamban village area.
Its hard to imagine that this exists, but logic says that places having no people or housing are open lands.
Quite well in the morning hours you should be over the massive Pamban Bridge.
The speed of the Train is between 10-15 kmph, and the Pamban Bridge is ~ 2 kms long.
Calculate : You have good 8 mins till the train crosses over.
This means, the sleeper section which you would be in, you will have close to 5 mins to enjoy the thrill.
The early morning sun, year round, is the best time to experience this voyage rather than a hot afternoon or evening.
So plan and be alert!
Safety
The bridge being more than 100 years old with frequent wear and tear and maintenance, is a bit on the danger side with every passing day.
Do not sit either on the compartment entrance to enjoy your ride as the wind currents are very strong, neither stick your head out much from the emergency exit as the iron podiums or arrangements on the bridge points might hit your head.
I was saved from such a mishap, thanks to my selfie camera mode.!
What after the Bridge crossing ?
To my surprise I realized, its the Pamban bridge that connects the Indian mainland with the island that bears Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi.
And the first point you connect on this island is the Pamban Village.
You'll stop at this place before heading to Rameshwaram.
A bit of history....
Did you know, this was the only voyage that merchants and others used to travel from India to Ceylon ? As old as 1920's.
Yes, it was the way in which India is connected to the village Pamban that leads to Rameshwaram, further on making way to Dhanushkodi, and one could later route to Jaffna in Sri Lanka.
However the rail line broke close at Dhanushkodi due to climatic conditions around 55 years ago.
Maybe this was also the way Ram, Hanuman and the army made it over the sea to this island and then Lanka.
The bridge used to open for few instances in day for movements of boats and ships.
The construction of this bridge, also took few years, like how any other infrastructure takes today.
My voyage to Southern edge of India has been spectacular and fast, and the Pamban bridge was a special moment.
Its entices me to share this experience with you, that I was able to explore the Pamban bridge and tell you stories about the same before it gets immersed in the pages of history, forever...
