Rameshwaram, combining the old heritage with rich culture, presents an idyllic weekend getaway with amazing tourist attractions. Often recognized as the Varanasi of the South, this quaint town of Tamil Nadu is blessed with divine beauty and holistic vibes.
It is a place where you can quench your thirst for peace and tranquillity. It is a place that invites you to disconnect yourself from the temporal world for some time. It is a place that leaves you spellbound with its picture-perfect landscapes, in-depth history, sacred ponds and lesser-crowded temples.
Whether you are a solo traveller or have come with family, you are sure to find things of your interest as you embark on your journey of Rameshwaram Darshan. From pilgrimage sites to ancient museums, serene beaches, enchanting aquariums and bird sanctuaries, there are innumerable options to keep yourself occupied in Rameshwaram.
If you have a shortage of time and are concerned about exploring the best attractions in the city, you need not worry now. We, at Holidays DNA, have curated a list of top sightseeing places that you can cover as a part of your Rameshwaram Darshan package.
Rameshwaram Darshan – Top Sightseeing Places in Rameshwaram to Visit
1. Ramanathaswamy Temple
A standout among the popular attractions in Rameshwaram, the Ramanathaswamy Temple is a famous Hindu temple that features a mind-boggling architecture with a view to die for. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the holiest shrine is spread over an area of 15 acres of land and has the longest corridors with majestic pillars, walls and gopurams, attracting tourists from all around the world.
Widely known for its religious significance, the Ramanathaswamy Temple, also known as Rameshwaram Temple, is frequently visited by those people whose life is full of regrets. The sanctity of the temple makes you feel positive from inside, whereas the calm atmosphere relaxes your mind on your Rameshwaram tour. It follows an everyday routine for daily pooja and also celebrates the festival of Maha Shivratri with great zeal.
There is no entry fee for Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram. Tourists can visit the temple from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM on all days of the week. For a still camera, you can pay INR 25 to capture the beauty of this temple.
2. Agnitheertham
Nestled just a short stroll away from Ramanathaswamy Temple, Agnitheertham is another important place that receives a huge crowd of visitors every other day. It is a majestic location where you can offer your prayers to the almighty and get rid of the sins by immersing your body in the water. The water is considered to be so sacred that just taking a dip in this water grants you forgiveness for all the crimes you may have committed in your past and present life.
According to some beliefs, Lord Rama with his beloved brother Lakshmana, after killing demon Ravana, came to this place to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva. Before worshipping, they chose to wash off their ills in the holy water. Since then, Agnitheertham has become a must-visit attraction for everyone looking to atone their wickedness in Rameshwaram. Unlike the sea or an ocean, the water is quite pleasant here i.e.; there are no waves in the water.
There is no entry fee to visit the Agnitheertham in Rameshwaram. It welcomes people from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days of the week and the recommended exploration time is 2-3 hours.
3. Ariyaman Beach
The next destination that is worth visiting through your Rameshwaram Darshan Package is Ariyaman Beach. Located 21 km away from the town, the Ariyaman Beach offers more of a laid-back setting to relax and rejuvenate alongside the slushy shoreline.
Scattered with a long stretch of white sand and outstripped by gentle waves, the clean waters of the beach makes it an irresistible destination for beach lovers. Walk hand-in-hand with your loved ones to spend some leisure time in the evening. Visit the watch tower to admire the mesmerizing views of the surrounding areas. Try your hand at boating or get adventurous with plenty of water sports such as parasailing and windsurfing. There is also a play area with several fun activities for the enjoyment of children.
For a 15-minute boat ride, you need to pay INR 60 per person at Ariyaman Beach. It is open for its tourists from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days of the week.
4. Water Bird Sanctuary
Get ready to make the most of your family time at Water Bird Sanctuary. Perched on the way to Dhanushkodi, the Water Bird Sanctuary, surrounded by dense natural vegetation and lush greenery, provides shelter to a variety of avian fauna and is home to many native and migratory bird species.
Heaven for bird watchers, this sanctuary is certainly a great spot for people seeking to embrace nature while dancing to the tune of birds chirping. Here, people come to study the behavioural pattern of a rare and exotic species of water birds that create a soothing environment, which is hard to miss. There is no entry fee to visit Water Bird Sanctuary in Rameshwaram. It welcomes its visitors from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days of the week.
Do not try feeding anything to the species; it is restricted for tourists. Also, make sure to bring your camera along to click some pictures of birds roaming all around the area.
5. Abdul Kalam House
Be sure to visit Abdul Kalam House whenever you are in Rameshwaram for 1-day, 2-days or 3-days. The residence of the former President of India, Abdul Kalam House offers a fantastic experience that one cannot forget in their life. It is the birthplace of Mr. Abdul Kalam, who is an inspirational figure for everyone in the world.
Managed by his elder brother, Abdul Kalam House was turned into a museum in the year 2011. Here you can have a glance at Abdul Kalam’s life and his achievements through several photographs, degrees, awards and certificates of appreciation. On the second floor, there is also an art gallery and on the ground floor, there is a shopping mall to buy pearl products and other items at a reasonable cost.
The entry fee to visit Abdul Kalam House in Rameshwaram is INR 5 per person. It welcomes its visitors from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM on all days of the week except on Saturday and Sunday.
Other than these tourist attractions, there is so much to see and explore in the town. If interested and have some more time, you can plan your itinerary accordingly to make it the best trip of your life. Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge, The Five-Faced Hanuman Temple, Gandhamadhana Parvatham, Jada Tirtham, Lakshmana Tirtham, Villoondi Tirtham and Nambu Nayaki Amman Temple are some of the places to visit in Rameshwaram for more number of days. Adding to these are Kunthu Kal Beach, Sea World Aquarium, Dhanushkodi Temple and Beach and Kalam National Memorial.
For your convenience, we at Rameshwaram Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, offer various customized and all-inclusive Rameshwaram tour packages at pocket-friendly prices. Our team of experts assists you in choosing the best deal catering to your holiday budget. To know about the complete itinerary in detail, you can fill the Contact Us form.
How to Reach Rameshwaram?
Reaching Rameshwaram is a bit easy. With its direct connectivity to the prime cities of India via airways, roadways and railways, you can opt to travel at your convenience.
The nearest airport, Madurai Airport, is well-served by various domestic and international flights and is only 174 km away from the city. You can also enjoy train service from Coimbatore, Chennai, Tanjore, Trichy, Palakkad and Bengaluru to get to your destination in the most comfortable way.
Other than that, there are several public, private and local buses that run every day, connecting neighbouring towns to Rameshwaram and vice-versa. After arriving at the bus stand, hire a private vehicle from the top car rental companies in Rameshwaram for hassle-free commutation. The Rameshwaram Bus Stand is only 1.7 km away and Rameshwaram Railway Station is only 1 km away from the centre of the town in Tamil Nadu.
