South Tamil Nadu: Rameswaram to Kanniyakumari

26-30 December 2003

At the southern tip of India lie three of Tamil Nadu’s most sacred and scenic places — Rameswaram, Dhanushkodi, and Kanniyakumari — each steeped in legend and spirituality.

Rameswaram, on Pamban Island in the Gulf of Mannar, is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India and part of the Char Dham. According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama built a bridge (Ram Setu) across the sea from here to Lanka to rescue Sita. The magnificent Ramanathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is famed for its long, sculptured corridors, exquisite carved pillars, and 22 theerthams (sacred wells or tanks). Pilgrims bathe in these waters before worship, symbolising purification and renewal. The temple’s mythology and artistry make it a pinnacle of Dravidian devotion.

A short drive away lies Dhanushkodi, once a thriving town and the legendary endpoint of Rama’s bridge. Destroyed by a cyclone in 1964, its haunting ruins now stand against vast sands and seas, offering a starkly beautiful view toward Sri Lanka.

Further south, at the meeting point of the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and Arabian Sea, is Kanniyakumari, India’s southernmost tip. Here, the Kumari Amman Temple honours the virgin goddess Devi Kanniya Kumari, an incarnation of Parvati. Offshore stand the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the towering Thiruvalluvar Statue, celebrating India’s spiritual and literary heritage.

The street leading from the sea to the Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram.

The temple tank or pond at the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram. The high “gopuram” or temple tower looms in the background.

View to one of the 22 “theertham” (sacred wells) along the temple tank or pond in the Ramanathaswamy Temple in the holy city of Rameswaram.

Men and women bathing at one of the 22 Tīrtha (theertam, wells) in the Ramanathaswamy Temple. It is a significant ritual for pilgrims,: the water is believed to have healing and purifying properties.

Bathing at one of the 22 Tīrtha (theertam, wells) where they are doused with water that are thought to have curative powers, in the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram.

Two of the 22 “theertham” (wells) where people are doused with water, believed to have purifying properties and linked to various mythological events involving Lord Rama.

Young men and boys during their walk between “theertham”, sacred wells. Pilgrims often bathe in these theerthams, believed to have been created by Lord Rama to wash away the sin of killing Ravana.

A shrine with religious statues at the Ramanathaswamy Temple in the holy city of Rameswaram.

Religious posters featuring Hindu gods for sale at the Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram.

A “Kolam”, traditional rice-paste design is made by women and girls on their doorstep in the early morning in Rameswaram.

The street leading from the temple to a shrine on the beach in Rameswaram.

Hindu devotees bathing in the sea in Agnitheertham, the most prominent and popular spot for sea bathing in Rameswaram, located on the eastern side of the temple.

The sea bath, often seen as a religious and purifying ritual for pilgrims before or after visiting the main temple.

Devotees bathe in the sea in Rameswaram, considered an essential part of the pilgrimage.

Devotees bathing in the sea in Rameswaram.

A “puja”, a Hindu ceremony requested by the seated men, starting on the beach in Rameswaram.

A Hindu “puja”, religious ceremony, on the beach of Rameswaram.

A “puja”, a Hindu ceremony that was requested by the seated men is performed by a priest at right; on the beach in Rameswaram.

A father carrying his small son on the beach in Rameswaram.

Two young men on the beach, in the holy city of Rameswaram.

View from Gandamadana Parvatham (or Rama Foot), the highest point in Rameswaram. The whole of Pamban island is visible from here.

Looking towards Rameswaram from the shrine of Gandamadana Parvatham, on a hill 3 kilometres north-west of the town.

A Hindu shrine in a grove in Rameswaram.

In the fishing village of Dhanushkodi, on the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island, east of Rameswaram town. The town of Dhanushkodi was destroyed during the 1964 cyclone.

A mother bathing her daughter in front of palm leaf huts in Dhanushkodi, east of Rameswaram.

Women and children bathing in the sea in Dhanushkodi.

A wooden fishing boat being dragged to the sea on the beach in Dhanushkodi.

Fishermen launching their wooden boat in Dhanushkodi.

Fishermen and their nets on the beach in Dhanushkodi, an abandoned town on the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island, east of Rameswaram.

Women with fishing nets on the beach in Dhanushkodi, the town that was destroyed during the 1964 cyclone.

Ruins of Dhanushkodi, the town that was destroyed during the 1964 cyclone and was declared a ghost town, unfit for living.

Women with the catch of the day on Dhanushkodi beach.

Fish drying on the beach in Dhanushkodi with the ruins of the town, washed away in the cyclone of 1964.

Fishermen on the beach in Dhanushkodi; in the background what was called Adam's Bridge, a chain of limestone shoals between Pamban Island and Mannar Island, off Sri Lanka.

Repairing his fishing net on the beach in Dhanushkodi.

Five young men on holiday on the beach in Dhanushkodi, on the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island.

Palm leaf huts in Dhanushkodi; the town was destroyed in the cyclone of 1964.

The Kothandaramaswamy Temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity Rama, constructed about 500-1000 years ago. It is the only historical structure to survive the 1964 cyclone.

The main street in the village of Sikkal, 80 kilometres west of Rameswaram, on the road to Kanniyakumari.

Kanniyakumari, on Cape Comorin, the southernmost point of India, seen from the roof of the NRS Lodge hotel.

View from the Gandhi Memorial to the Kanniya Kumari Amman Temple, dating back thousands of years and dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kumari, a consort of Shiva.

The red and white painted wall around the Kanniya Kumari Amman Temple on the shore of Cape Comorin, the southernmost point of India.

On the beach in Kanniyakumari, at Cape Comorin.

On the beach at Cape Comorin in Kanniyakumari.

Bathing in the sea off the beach in Kanniyakumari, at Cape Comorin, the southernmost point in India.

Tourists having a swim in Kanniyakumari, at Cape Comorin. In the background the Vivekananda Memorial and the statue of the poet Thiruvalluvar.

Looking towards the Vivekananda Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue on two rocky islands, just offshore Kanniyakumari, at Cape Comorin.

Indian visitors are having their picture taken with as a backdrop the Vivekananda Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue.

Fishing boats on the beach of Kanniyakumari.

Fishermen with their canoe and net on the beach in Kanniyakumari.

View to the Vivekananda Memorial, honouring Swami Vivekananda, an important religous leader, and the statue of Thiruvalluvar, a Tamil poet and philosopher.

View from the Vivekananda Kendra (Ashram) across the beach to the Vivekananda Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue on two rocky islands, just offshore Kanniyakumari.

School students near the Vivekananda Kendra Ashram of Kanniyakumari.