Rameshwaram, on Pamban Island, was one of the most fascinating places on my list. The moment I got a day free from my work I decided to visit Rameshwaram. I had to book my train ticket from Salem to Rameshwaram in tatkal. It was an overnight journey. It was not my first solo trip as such but I look at this journey as my first ever successful unplanned trip.
Crossing the most famous railway bridge, I reached Rameshwaram station at 4.30 in the morning. I freshened up at the waiting room itself. There are railway retiring rooms available at the Railway Station for the passengers on an hourly basis in case one wants to rest or get ready for the journey. However, all the bookings should be made prior on IRCTC website.
There is an autorickshaw stand outside the station. It was 5.30 am and it was still dark. I bargained with one Autorickshaw driver to drop me at the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the renowned temple here. While in the auto, the driver gave me his contact number to call him later in case I need to visit other places. Travelling in Rameshwaram becomes a lot easier since it is a tourist destination and locals do know manageable Hindi to conversate with tourists.
I reached the temple premises. Usually, people who visit the temple first go to the Agnee Tirtham, to take a dip in holy water, perform pooja and then enter the temple. I had to keep my bag and shoes in the lockers in one of the houses in the temple premises. You will find a lot of places on the premises where they have locker and bath facilities for pilgrims. I found it a bit expensive to pay Rs. 100 only for keeping our things locked. The dressing room or bath area were also not well maintained in most of these places. Since there is no way around, this becomes the only option for solo travellers like me.
I couldn't dip in the water as there were a lot of things floating around in the sea. Although I have seen people performing religious rites and drinking water from the same. With barefoot, I entered the temple. The Dravidian architecture of the temple is fascinating. After every few steps, we come across ponds from which temple priests draw water and splash on the people moving around in a line. Every drop of water from these ponds is considered holy.
After visiting the temple, I called the auto driver and asked him to take me to Gandhamadhana Parvatham Temple which houses footprints of Rama. It was a lovely place and one can have an excellent view of Rameshwaram town from here. The driver told me that one can actually see the lights illuminating from Sri Lanka at the night from the top of the temple.
Later he took me to the Five -Faced Hanuman Temple where they have kept floating stones presumed to be from the Rama Sethu built in the times of Ramayana. We can also touch it in the water.
On the way to the Kalam's Memorial, the driver stopped at a place called Villoondi Tirtham which is significant for its legendary story which says Rama dipped a bow at this place to get water when Sita got thirsty. The place has a pathway at the end of which there is a small well. It is a beautiful spot to click pictures. Nearby there is also a temple of historical importance.
Rameshwaram is a good place for scuba diving and other water sports activities. I did find a person with a reasonable rate to provide me with this experience. However, I was a bit apprehensive about my things so I couldn't go ahead with it. But I definitely recommend trying these on clean blue waters of the sea in Rameshwaram.
The Kalam National Memorial houses the history of Dr Abdul Kalam and his life stories. It was amazing to feel and live his life through portraits, sculptures and replicas of missiles. The place is definitely informative and worth visiting. The photography is not allowed inside the museum.
Later the driver took me to Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge where I could see the spectacular view of the blue sea and the famous Pamban Bridge. The scene was absolutely stunning and I could get a lot of good clicks at this point.
And then comes the favourite part of my trip - Dhanushkodi, the most beautiful place I ever visited in India. The road trip towards Dhanushkodi Beach was the best thing. The wind from both sides of the road carries sand with it and we were finding it difficult to keep our eyes open while travelling. The driver was literally looking towards his left and riding the autorickshaw. It was really fun to experience it.
We stopped at the old church in town destroyed in the storm. The remains of it still look beautiful. There are various stalls nearby selling gift items made from seashells one can always have a look at.
The driver also showed me the ruins of railway station destroyed during the storm. The whole town is completely barren now and the title ghost town suits it completely.
The next stop was the tip of the Rameshwaram Island where the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal meets making it the most amazing place on the earth. The crystal clear water, pure white sand and the clear blue sky together was just mesmerizing.
The driver also took me to one more temple of which I forgot to take a pic. But just beside the temple there's a vast white sand which believe me looks just like we landed on moon. It was unbelievable. Just have a look at these pictures and you will come to know what I am talking about.
On the way back I visited Abdul Kalam's House which has been turned into a small museum showcasing his life struggles and success stories. It also has been commercialized into a shopping centre now.
By the time it was 3.30 pm I pretty much-covered the popular destinations. I came by the boating area near Agnee Tirtham but unfortunately they said no more rides because of some reason. So I waited by the Bus Stop for the bus to the station.
My train was at night but since I was not able to see the Pamban bridge early morning at 4 I decided to hop on the train which starts at 5 pm so that I can see the bridge in the daylight. Going to Rameshwaram but not experiencing the thrill of the bridge would be certainly unacceptable. I thought to travel in the upcoming train and then after crossing the bridge to get down at the next station and wait for my train.
And I got on the train. It was thrilling to see water on both sides of the train, a bridge on the left side and the train moving slowly. I wished I could stand at the door and admire the thrill and beauty of the experience. But the doors were packed with many other people busy shooting the scenes.
I was travelling in the general compartment and luckily I had a seat. And there came a thought of not leaving the train and continue my journey in this train itself. And the next minute I knew I was travelling in the train without ticket qualifying for another adventurous thing. I know travelling without a ticket in India is not at all adventure. But I consider it as one since that is something I never imagined to happen.
So this marks the end of my beautiful journey to Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi. Thanks to the autorickshaw driver who took me around the town. He seemed to be a nice person and he also played the role a guide explaining me the historical significance of the places, sharing the stories of locals and many more such amazing information about the town within a good price.
Travelling in Rameshwaram can cost you a lot especially if you are a solo traveller. The bus transport is rarely available to most of the tourist's places which only leaves you options of private vehicle and autorickshaws. Good bargaining skill can save you a lot. But whatever it is this place should always go in your bucket list. For me, it indeed was a dream come true.
