Madurai, Rameswaram & Gulf of Mannar

mjothi · 2nd June 2009, 08:59

So, the long due visit to Rameswaram is finally over. It was a wonderful trip. Both the Darshan and the visit to Danuskodi. Its an excellent trail for our 4x4 enthus. But not sure if it needs special permissions for our gangs to explore those area, if in case interested.

Ride on those ruined boats!
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Alagar Kovil
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StarVegabond · 2nd June 2009, 09:15

hmm, Man it must be very hot in Rameshwaram
post details.
thanks,

Lukeskywalker · 2nd June 2009, 09:40

Is it just me or do I see clones in the first photograph, the one which resembles a southindian rock group.

goandude · 2nd June 2009, 09:46

where is the traveloge? Im missing something.

akbaree · 2nd June 2009, 09:51

Rameswaram is long overdue for me. Keenly looking forward to the travelogue - I can at least have a virtual tour.

akroy · 2nd June 2009, 10:25

MRama, Why the first pic looks clones to me? Did you take your car? Coz the other day you were telling that you will go by bus.

Wait to see more !! laka laka laka
Abhi

MuraliR · 2nd June 2009, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarVegabond

Man it must be very hot in Rameshwaram

no wonder we see sandal paste applied on the head of the clones.

mjothi · 2nd June 2009, 10:46

First, I did not travel in my Aveo to these places. This was a sudden decision to visit Rameswaram. It was a volvo from Bangy to Madurai. Stayed in my in-laws house. Took a Qualis for the Rameswaram trip. Started sharp 5am from Madurai. The roads to Rameswaram was ok state.

One point for those planing to visit or pass Madurai. Never plan to start or cross Madurai before 6am. This is the time when you have plenty of lorry traffic. Since Madurai do not have proper by-pass, all the heavy vehicles and trucks are stopped outside Madurai during day time. All those starts pouring in from 9pm to morning 6am. So, it would be too difficult to drive with these fellows.

I heard that there are talks for widening the roads from Madurai to Rameswaram [NH49]. This will be confirmed when the Sethu Canal project starts. There are also political interest to use the Sivaganga route as main for the Sethu canal route. Time should answer.

Currently, the roads are reasonably good with only 2 lanes all across. One thing I notice now is, the signboards. There are numerous sign boards marked all along the roads with every small village and towns. Really helpful since it shows with distance too.

Again the bad part is, some are covered / pasted with notices by local guys.

You need to cross 2 level crossing before you reach Rameswaram.

First crossing
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We stopped just before the Pambam bridege to take some pics. And here they are
Look at the Road + rails both surrounded by sea on either sides.

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The next stop was on the Pambam bridge.

We were just talking about how it would be if we see a train running on those rails with all surrounded by water. We were lucky, right on spot, there was a train coming. Then no talking, only clicking. Some, only some, are posted here

Chikku Bhukku Railu...

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View from Bridge

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Roads After crossing the Bridge

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Shiva-Shiva
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Places of Interest

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Time for the breakfast. Lets continue after the breakfast...

mjothi · 2nd June 2009, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarVegabond

hmm, Man it must be very hot in Rameshwaram
post details.
thanks,

Ya it is. but we never felt it. Main reason is, Till 1pm we were all in water. Yes, the water from those 22 wells in temple. since we were completely drenched, it was nice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by akroy

MRama, Why the first pic looks clones to me? Did you take your car? Coz the other day you were telling that you will go by bus.

Wait to see more !! laka laka laka
Abhi

No. Did not take my car this time. Next time for sure. It would be a lovely drive. Just waiting for those Namakkal- Madurai section to be 100% done.

addyhemmige · 2nd June 2009, 12:32

The pictures of the train look awesome

. You sure are lucky to catch a glimpse of it.

BTW, did you happen to see the bridge raised? The last time I went Rameshwaram was about 8-9 years back & I always wanted to see the bridge raised and also a train passing through it after hearing all the stories told by my granny.

pjay_in · 2nd June 2009, 12:32

I had visited Rameshwaram with family about 3 years back. We took the metre gauge train from Tambaram (Chennai) all the way to Rameshwaram and back. It was an experience in itself!

I guess the track has been converted to broad gauge now.

rjstyles69 · 2nd June 2009, 12:37

Anna fabulous trip there, dhanushkodi is a place I would want to visit again. Did this trip some time back in 2001 and I never had enough of this place. We weren't allowed to stay beyond 6pm at dhanushkodi by the cops.I hope we get to see the ruins of the old railway station and the church at dhanushkodi.

mjothi · 2nd June 2009, 12:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by addyhemmige

The pictures of the train look awesome

. You sure are lucky to catch a glimpse of it.

Ya, really lucky

Quote:

Originally Posted by addyhemmige

BTW, did you happen to see the bridge raised? The last time I went Rameshwaram was about 8-9 years back & I always wanted to see the bridge raised and also a train passing through it after hearing all the stories told by my granny.

No. This fellow (train!) was following us from Madurai to Rameswaram and same during our return too.

mjothi · 2nd June 2009, 13:04

Had good breakfast in Ganesh mess right next to the temple.

Pongal Vada Sambar!!!

Madurai, Rameswaram & Gulf of Mannar-img_9491.jpg

Then we headed straight to the beach. The usual procedure is first to visit and take bath in the sea, then go to the temple and have bath at each of those 22 wells or Theertham. Then head to see the darshan.

See, the Sea

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Modern kattumara

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When we came out from sea, we saw the head shaving section. Just like that decided to have it done and that's the story of how "Shivaji turned to MGR"

You are suppose to pay official charge of 13rs for taking bath in the 22 wells. But this will not help you. You need to hire some locals from outside to pour water on you from those wells. They charge somewhere from 50rs and above per person for all the wells.

Theertham places

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Q of the buckets - Resting after-work!!!
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You can see people running behind the guys with the small bucket in lines. He goes to each of the wells, and pour water on you. Since we had a local friend through my in-law he was accompanying us. Had a wonderful bath after bath and then dressed up again for the Dharsan. You are not allowed with wet clothes inside temple. But yes, thats only on the notice board. Still some people keep running inside the temple with wet clothes.

You have to visit both Shiva & Thayar (Ammbal) in the temple. We were right on time before the closing of temple for noon.

So, wheres next? We decided to start to Danuskodi but before that we headed to a nice lunch place.

Rest after the lunch break!

esteem_lover · 2nd June 2009, 13:08

I heard there are Coral Reefs around Rameshwaram. Did you happen to go to any of them ?

2nd June 2009, 08:59	#1
mjothi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,252 Thanked: 218 Times View My Garage	Madurai, Rameswaram & Gulf of Mannar So, the long due visit to Rameswaram is finally over. It was a wonderful trip. Both the Darshan and the visit to Danuskodi. Its an excellent trail for our 4x4 enthus. But not sure if it needs special permissions for our gangs to explore those area, if in case interested. Ride on those ruined boats! Alagar Kovil Last edited by mjothi : 2nd June 2009 at 09:01.
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 09:15	#2
StarVegabond Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,891 Thanked: 25 Times	hmm, Man it must be very hot in Rameshwaram post details. thanks,
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 09:40	#3
Lukeskywalker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,397 Thanked: 1,202 Times View My Garage	Is it just me or do I see clones in the first photograph, the one which resembles a southindian rock group.
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 09:46	#4
goandude Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,364 Thanked: 510 Times	where is the traveloge? Im missing something.
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 09:51	#5
akbaree BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 606 Thanked: 75 Times View My Garage	Rameswaram is long overdue for me. Keenly looking forward to the travelogue - I can at least have a virtual tour.
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 10:25	#6
akroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA, USA Posts: 2,423 Thanked: 69 Times View My Garage	MRama, Why the first pic looks clones to me? Did you take your car? Coz the other day you were telling that you will go by bus. Wait to see more !! laka laka laka Abhi
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 10:46	#8
mjothi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,252 Thanked: 218 Times View My Garage	First, I did not travel in my Aveo to these places. This was a sudden decision to visit Rameswaram. It was a volvo from Bangy to Madurai. Stayed in my in-laws house. Took a Qualis for the Rameswaram trip. Started sharp 5am from Madurai. The roads to Rameswaram was ok state. One point for those planing to visit or pass Madurai. Never plan to start or cross Madurai before 6am. This is the time when you have plenty of lorry traffic. Since Madurai do not have proper by-pass, all the heavy vehicles and trucks are stopped outside Madurai during day time. All those starts pouring in from 9pm to morning 6am. So, it would be too difficult to drive with these fellows. I heard that there are talks for widening the roads from Madurai to Rameswaram [NH49]. This will be confirmed when the Sethu Canal project starts. There are also political interest to use the Sivaganga route as main for the Sethu canal route. Time should answer. Currently, the roads are reasonably good with only 2 lanes all across. One thing I notice now is, the signboards. There are numerous sign boards marked all along the roads with every small village and towns. Really helpful since it shows with distance too. Again the bad part is, some are covered / pasted with notices by local guys. You need to cross 2 level crossing before you reach Rameswaram. First crossing We stopped just before the Pambam bridege to take some pics. And here they are Look at the Road + rails both surrounded by sea on either sides. The next stop was on the Pambam bridge. We were just talking about how it would be if we see a train running on those rails with all surrounded by water. We were lucky, right on spot, there was a train coming. Then no talking, only clicking. Some, only some, are posted here Chikku Bhukku Railu... View from Bridge Roads After crossing the Bridge Shiva-Shiva Places of Interest Time for the breakfast. Lets continue after the breakfast...
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 12:32	#10
addyhemmige Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bangalore/Hassan Posts: 1,522 Thanked: 470 Times View My Garage	The pictures of the train look awesome. You sure are lucky to catch a glimpse of it. BTW, did you happen to see the bridge raised? The last time I went Rameshwaram was about 8-9 years back & I always wanted to see the bridge raised and also a train passing through it after hearing all the stories told by my granny.
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 12:32	#11
pjay_in BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 396 Thanked: 19 Times	I had visited Rameshwaram with family about 3 years back. We took the metre gauge train from Tambaram (Chennai) all the way to Rameshwaram and back. It was an experience in itself! I guess the track has been converted to broad gauge now.
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 12:37	#12
rjstyles69 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bengalooru.. Posts: 4,341 Thanked: 820 Times View My Garage	Anna fabulous trip there, dhanushkodi is a place I would want to visit again. Did this trip some time back in 2001 and I never had enough of this place. We weren't allowed to stay beyond 6pm at dhanushkodi by the cops.I hope we get to see the ruins of the old railway station and the church at dhanushkodi. Last edited by rjstyles69 : 2nd June 2009 at 12:39.
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 13:04	#14
mjothi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,252 Thanked: 218 Times View My Garage	Had good breakfast in Ganesh mess right next to the temple. Pongal Vada Sambar!!! Then we headed straight to the beach. The usual procedure is first to visit and take bath in the sea, then go to the temple and have bath at each of those 22 wells or Theertham. Then head to see the darshan. See, the Sea Modern kattumara When we came out from sea, we saw the head shaving section. Just like that decided to have it done and that's the story of how "Shivaji turned to MGR" You are suppose to pay official charge of 13rs for taking bath in the 22 wells. But this will not help you. You need to hire some locals from outside to pour water on you from those wells. They charge somewhere from 50rs and above per person for all the wells. Theertham places Q of the buckets - Resting after-work!!! You can see people running behind the guys with the small bucket in lines. He goes to each of the wells, and pour water on you. Since we had a local friend through my in-law he was accompanying us. Had a wonderful bath after bath and then dressed up again for the Dharsan. You are not allowed with wet clothes inside temple. But yes, thats only on the notice board. Still some people keep running inside the temple with wet clothes. You have to visit both Shiva & Thayar (Ammbal) in the temple. We were right on time before the closing of temple for noon. So, wheres next? We decided to start to Danuskodi but before that we headed to a nice lunch place. Rest after the lunch break!
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 13:08	#15
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,555 Thanked: 460 Times View My Garage	I heard there are Coral Reefs around Rameshwaram. Did you happen to go to any of them ?
	() Thanks

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