Rameshwaram Tour Package, A Spiritual Journey

travel-blog.waytoindia.com/rameshwaram-tour-package/

10/28/2016

Rameshwaram tour is one of those journeys which leave a lasting impression on the minds of pilgrims who
undertake this spiritual voyage. One among the Four Dhams or Chardham , as they are popularly known in
vernacular , Rameshwaram package is indeed meant for those devout Hindus who follow the path suggested by Adi
Guru Shankaracharya, who had established the four pilgrimage places one in each extreme direction of the Indian
peninsula.These are Badrinath Dham in the North, Dwarkadheesh Dham in the west, Jagannath Puri Dham in the
East and Rameshwaram Dham in the south.This blog shares with you all that you must know while planning your
Rameshwaram tour package.
Although one can plan Rameshwaram tour visiting only Rameshwaram island, a suggested tour plan for
Rameshwaram usually constitutes a visit to three of the must visit places in South India Temple Tour Circuit
Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari.
The journey generally starts upon arrival at Madurai, which is famous as the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu state of
Southern India.Madurai is well connected with rest of the country as it has both a railway station as well as
an airport. Apart from several trains that reach Madurai, there are regular direct and via flights to Madurai from Delhi,
Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and other cities.

Meenakshi Amman Temple

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Meenakshi Amman Temple (Image Waytoindia.com)

Madurai is famous for its Meenakshi Amman Temple.Meenakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi
(an Avatar of the Hindu Goddess Parvati , the consort of Shiva) and Lord Sundareshwar (lord Shiva).

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(image Waytoindia.com)
Meenakshi temple is very beautiful and is a masterpiece of South Indian architecture with Gopuram adorned with
colorful idols.

Rameshwaram Tour Package Travel Tip#1

The best time to visit Meenakshi temple is at the time of temple closing ceremony which is actually quite an
elaborate event.Each night at about 9:00 pm Shiva is brought in the palanquin to the chamber of Meenakshi , her
wife in a musical ceremony to retire for the day. One must visit and witness this event as a part of the Madurai
Rameshwaram tour.

Rameshwaram Tour Package Travel Tip#2

Meenakshi Amman Temple has four gates in each of the four directions.While doing the parikrama of temple
stopover at Temple Town Coffee shop opposite the North Gate of Meenakshi Amman Temple to enjoy the fantastic
filter coffee and Simmering hot Medhu Vada.

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Temple Town Coffee Shop ( Waytoindia.com)

Rameshwaram Tour Package Travel Tip#3
Just opposite to the Eastern Gate of Meenakshi Amman Temple is Pudhu Mandapam which is actually quite a busy
local market.Start your visit to Meenakshi Amman Temple from Eastern side and you would be able to see the
beautiful Nandi Swamy Idol .

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Nandi Statue outside Meenakshi Temple , Madurai (Image Waytoindia.com)

If you wait a while you would see passing by locals stopping over and paying their obeisance to the sacred bull.

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Nandi Statue Outside Pudhu Mandapam (Image Waytoindia.com)

Coming back to Pudhu Mandapam , it was built by Thirumalai Nayakkar in the year 1628-1635 to celebrate
Vasantotsav (the spring festival).The hall is characterized by huge stone pillars and beautifully crafted stone idols of
Lord Sundareshwar and Meenakshi.An interesting thing not to be missed when your visit Pudhu Mandapam is
Goddess Meenakshis idol with a triple breast.

Goddess Meenakshis Triple Breast Idol In Pudhu Mandapam (Image Waytoindia.com)

Few other places worth visiting in and around Madurai which one must have on the list of Madurai Rameshwaram
package are :

Thirumalai Nayakar Palace

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Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace or Mahal was built by Thirumalai Nayak, the king of Madurais Nayaka Dynasty
between 1623 AD -1659 AD.The palace is famous for the light and sound show that depicts the famous Tamil work
Silappathikaram both in Tamil and English in the evening.Please refer the visitor timings below.
Thirumalai Nayakar Palace Timings
General Visiting Timings : 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM .
Lunch Break

: 01.00 PM to 01.30 PM

Sound & Light Show Time:

English Language : 6.45 PM to 7.35 PM.
Tamil Language : 8.00 PM to 8.50 PM.

Gandhi Memorial Museum

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Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Museum at Madurai (Image Waytoindia.com)

After the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, who is considered as the father of Indian Nation, a trust was created by
the name of Mahatma Gandhi National Memorial Trust.The trust was given the work of creating memorials related to
Mahatma Gandhi.Five such museums or sangrahalayas were built across India.Gandhi Memorial Museum at
Madurai is one among those Museums that was established as a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi Memorial Museum Timings
10 am to 1pm
2 pm to 5:45 pm

Arulmigu Kallalagar Thirukkoil , Alagar Kovil

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Arulmigu Kallalagar Thirukkoil (Image Waytoindia.com)

Located about 22 Kms from Madurai is the temple of Lord Vishnu famous as the Arulmigu Kallalagar Thirukkoil or
Alagar Kovil Temple.Famous for its Chithirai Festival, a 10 days state festival declared so by the Government of
Tamil Nadu State, Alagar Kovil temple is a must visit for anyone who is visiting Madurai as a part of the
Rameshwaram tour package.
Few other places of tourist interest in Madurai which one may visit on Madurai Rameshwaram tour are Pazhamudir
Solai(one of the abodes of Lord Murugan or Arupedai Veedu), Koodal Azhagar Temple, Vandiyur Mariamman
Teppakulam and St. Marys Cathedral Church.

Madurai to Rameshwaram (170 Kms / 4 Hrs approximately)

The next leg of your Madurai Rameshwaram Kanyakumari tour shall take you to Rameshwaram, one of the holiest of
the places for Hindus famous for the Ramanathaswamy Temple and other places linked mythologically to Lord
Rama of the Ramayana epic.Ramanathaswamy Temple is also famous for being one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of
Lord Shiva.
The journey to Rameshwaram is itself a treat as you cross the Pamban bridge built over the Palk Strait, that
connects the mainland India with the Pamban Island where Ramanathaswamy Temple is located.

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Pamban Bridge (Image Waytoindia.com)

Sea breeze makes you feel ecstatic as you stopover somewhere midway on the Pamban bridge to catch a glimpse
of the vast sea.The bridge opens up whenever there is a large ship that has to crossover.Once you have crossed the
bridge you are on Pamban Island that is famously known as Rameshwaram to the tourists and pilgrims.

Rameshwaram Tour Package Travel Tip#4

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Ramanathaswamy Temple or Rameshwaram Temple(Image Waytoindia.com)

The singularly most important thing to do at Rameshwaram is the Darshanam of Lord Shivas Shivalingam which is
one among the twelve Jyotirlingas in India.It is absolutely necessary that those who wish to undertake the
Rameshwaram tour know about the elaborate procedure of having Darshanam at the Ramanathaswamy Temple.
The Darshanam of Shivalingam at Rameshwaram is a four stage process that one has to follow.For the ease of
travelers and pilgrims we are sharing the detailed process of Pooja at Rameshwaram Temple :
Stage 1 : Darshanam of Mani Lingam or Sphatik Lingam
The first stage of Darshan at Ramanathaswamy Temple is the Darshan of Mani Lingam or Sphatik Lingam which is
possible only for one hour in the morning between 05:00 am to 06:00 am.One can buy a priority Darshan slip also at
INR 50 per person.Among the chanting of Om Namah Shivaya, the devotees get a chance to have a glimpse of
the small Shivling made of Sphatik or Crystal.

State 2 : Bath at Agniteeratham

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Agniteeratham at Rameshwaram(Image Waytoindia.com)

After the Darshan of Mani Lingam, the devotees leave for a holy dip into Agniteeratham which is just about 250
meters from the temple.Interestingly , the water of sea at Agniteeratham is quite calm and serene, unlike the waves
which one would expect at the sea shore.It is believed that Samudram had surrendered before Lord Rama at this
point when Lord Rama had picked up his bow and arrow to dry the sea.
Stage 3 : Teerath Snanam (Bath at 22 Wells)

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Devotees taking bath at one of the 22 wells in Rameshwaram Temple(Image

Waytoindia.com)
Once the devotees have taken bath at Agniteeratham, they return back to the temple complex where there are 22
wells.

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Pilgrim taking bath at one of the 22 wells in Ramanathaswamy Temple (Image

Waytoindia.com)
The devotees visit each of these wells one after the other and the temple functionaries pour water on them that has
been pulled out from these wells.This process continues until the devotees have taken bath at each of the 22 wells.
Stage 4 : Darshanam of main Shiva Lingam at Rameshwaram
After the bath at 22 wells in the temple, the devotees change their clothes drenched in water by now and get ready
to have the Darshan of the Supreme Lord.Many pilgrims offer Gangajal that they have brought with them from
Gaumukh or Gangotri in the north as it is considered as very auspicious.
This marks the completion of Pooja at the Ramanathaswamy Temple.
Some of the other places one may visit during Rameshwaram tour are :

#1 Ram Teerath

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Ram Tirath (Image Waytoindia.com)

#2 Laxman Teeratham

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Laxman Tirath (Image Waytoindia.com)

#3 Ramar Padam

Ramar Padam (Image Waytoindia.com)

#4 Kothandaramaswamy Temple

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Kothanda Ramar Temple (Where Rajtilak of Vibhishan was done by Lord Rama (Image
Waytoindia.com)
#5 Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple (Five faces of Hanuman Temple)

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#6 Villoondi Theertham

#7 Dhanushkodi
#8 Nambu Nayagiamman Temple
#9 Jada Theertham
#10 Badrakaliamman Temple
#11 Satchi Hanuman Temple
#12 Sugreevar Theertham
For those who wish to only visit Rameshwaram, they may start their journey back to Madurai from where they can
take their flight or take a train from Rameshwaram back to their home.
Up to this point, we suggest that one must stay at least one night at Madurai and two nights at Rameshwaram to
comfortably complete the Rameshwaram tour.
However, we strongly suggest that those who can spare time and some extra budget should continue their journey
to Kanyakumari the next destination in this circuit of Madurai Rameshwaram Kanyakumari tour.
Rameshwaram to Kanyakumari (320 Kms / 6 Hours approximately)
For those who decide to go further on this exciting circuit of Madurai Rameshwaram Kanyakumari tour, we suggest

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that they should leave a bit early about 9 am so as to reach Kanyakumari by about 3 pm in the afternoon. The road
from Rameshwaram to Kanyakumari is East Coast road that extends along the Bay of Bengal from Chennai to
Kanyakumari.
While traveling along this road one would pass by fields with white mounds of salt on both the sides of the road.After
passing through Tuticorin also called as Thoothukudi one can see an ocean of windmills which is a treat to watch.

Upon arrival at Kanyakumari, you would be thrilled to see the vast sea.We suggest that you stay at one of the hotels
that have rooms with sea view.The first thing you must see at Kanyakumari for which Kanyakumari is famous for is
its sunset.After check-in at the hotel, you must leave for the sunset point where you would be amazed and
awestruck by the scenic and colorful sunset.

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Sunset at Kanyakumari(Image Waytoindia.com)

If you are staying at one of the hotels near the Gandhi Memorial, we strongly recommend that you visit near the ferry
point before the sunrise.You would love the experience of watching the Sun oozing out from the horizon dispersing
myriad colors in the sky with beautiful silhouettes of Vivekanand Memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue.

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Sunrise at Kanyakumari(Image Waytoindia.com)

Some of the other places to visit in Kanyakumari
#1 Kanyakumari Temple

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Kanyakumari Temple (Image Waytoindia.com)

#2 Gandhi Memorial

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Gandhi Memorial , Kanyakumari (Image Waytoindia.com)

#3 Vivekanand Rock Memorial

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Vivekananda Rock Memorial , Kanyakumari (Image Waytoindia.com)

#4 Thiruvullavur Statue

Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari (Image Waytoindia.com)

After enjoying the scenic views at the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula, you would drive to
Thiruvananthapuram or Trivandrum for your onward flight or train back home.The distance between Kanyakumari
and Trivandrum is 100 Kms.However, due to traffic congestion, it takes almost 3.5 hours to drive this distance.
For those who would like to extend their trip beyond this, Kovalam, Varkala, Poovar offer stunning destinations.
Waytoindia.com has expertise in planning Rameshwaram Tour and those planning this tour can write on
info@waytoindia.com or call 8527255991. The best part about Waytoindias Rameshwaram tour package is that
they also connect you to Hindi /English speaking guides at Rameshwaram.This is very helpful as generally people at
these destinations know only Tamil and it becomes very difficult for pilgrims or tourists from the other parts of the
world to interact with them.

How to reach Rameshwaram ?

Rameshwaram is located on the Pamban Island in the Ramanathapuram district of southern state of Tamil Nadu in
India.Few of the prominent cities that are directly connected with Rameshwaram through road and rail are Madurai,
Chennai, Thoothukudi (Turicorin) , Trichy and Tanjore.

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For the ease of those who are planning their Rameshwaram Tour, we have compiled below the details of Trains and
Air Flights that can be booked to reach Rameshwaram from different cities of India :

Trains For Rameshwaram

Trains for Rameshwaram from Delhi :
There are no direct trains for Rameshwaram from Delhi.Those who wish to travel to Rameshwaram from Delhi by
train on their Rameshwaram Tour may book Tamil Nadu Express (Train Number 12622) from New Delhi to Chennai
Central.The train reaches Chennai at 07:10 am in the morning, from where they can travel on Rameshwaram
Express (Train number 16101) which leaves 21:40 Hrs and reaches at Rameshwaram at about 11:15 am the next
day morning.

Trains for Rameshwaram from Mumbai :

There are no direct trains for Rameshwaram from Mumbai.Those who wish to travel to Rameshwaram from Mumbai
by train on their Rameshwaram tour may book any of the following trains :
Madurai Express (Train Number 11043 ) from Lokmanya Tilak Station to Madurai Railway Station.(available
only on Fridays)
Nagarcoil Express( Train Number 16339) from Mumbai Central to Madurai Railway Station.(available only on
Wednesday, Thursday ,Friday, Sunday)
Dadar Ten Express (Train Number 19568 ) from Lokmanya Tilak Station to Madurai Railway Station.(available
only on Fridays)
From Madurai, they may board a train or still better take a taxi to Rameshwaram.

Trains for Rameshwaram from Chennai :

From Chennai Central , one may take Rameshwaram Express (Train number 16101) which leaves 21:40 Hrs and
reaches at Rameshwaram at about 11:15 am the next day morning.Another Train is Train number 16713 which
leaves Chennai at 21:40 Hrs and reaches Rameshwaram the next day at 11:15 am.

Trains for Rameshwaram from Tirupati :

For those who wish to visit Rameshwaram , Train Number 16779 can be taken from Tirupati which runs only on
Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.This train leaves Tirupati at 12:40 Hrs and reaches Rameshwaram at 07:45 am the
next day.

Trains Connecting Other Chardham Destinations With Rameshwaram :

For those who are doing the Chardham travel Circuit (Badrinath in the north, Dwarka in the west and Jagannath Puri
in the east, Rameshwaram in the South), Train Number 18496 BBS RMM Express (Bhubaneswar Rameshwaram
Express) runs between Bhubaneswar and Rameshwaram on every Friday and takes about 35 hrs. to reach
Rameshwaram from Bhubaneswar.

Flights For Rameshwaram

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As of now, Rameshwaram does not have an Airport. The nearest airport to Rameshwaram is Madurai Airport which
is about 175 Kms and it takes about 3.5 hours to reach Rameshwaram from Madurai Airport.
Madurai Airport is well connected with direct flights from Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.The following is the
flight schedule of Madurai Airport to help you choose the flights for Madurai.
Origin

Airline

Flight

Departure Time
From Origin

Arrival Time at Madurai

(MAA) Chennai

Spicejet

SG 3031

6:05 Hrs

7:15 Hrs

(MAA) Chennai

Jet Airways

9W 2341

5:55 Hrs

7:35 Hrs

(MAA) Chennai

Spicejet

SG 611

9:52 Hrs

10:45 Hrs

(MAA) Chennai

Jet Airways

9W 2343

9:30 Hrs

10:55 Hrs

(HYD) Hyderabad

Spicejet

SG 1042

9:55 Hrs

11:45 Hrs

(MAA) Chennai

Air India

AI 671

11:25 Hrs

12:40 Hrs

(MAA) Chennai

Jet Airways

9W 2727

13:10 Hrs

14:35 Hrs

(BLR) Bengaluru

Jet Airways

9W 2361

14:05 Hrs

15:25 Hrs

(MAA) Chennai

Jet Airways

9W 2345

15:25 Hrs

16:50 Hrs

(MAA) Chennai

Spicejet

SG 103

17:30 Hrs

18:35 Hrs

(MAA) Chennai

Jet Airways

9W 2723

19:20 Hrs

20:45 Hrs

Following is the schedule of direct flights leaving Madurai for Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad from where further
flights are available for almost all the destinations in India.
Origin

Destination

Airline

Flight

Departure Time From

Madurai

Arrival Time At
Destination

Madurai

(MAA) Chennai

Spicejet

SG
3032

7:40 Hrs

9:00 Hrs

Madurai

(MAA) Chennai

Jet
Airways

9W
2342

8:00 Hrs

9:10 Hrs

Madurai

(MAA) Chennai

Spicejet

SG 104

11:15 Hrs

12:20 Hrs

Madurai

(MAA) Chennai

Jet
Airways

9W
2344

11:25 Hrs

12:45 Hrs

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Madurai

(MAA) Chennai

Air India

AI 672

13:35 Hrs

14:40 Hrs

Madurai

(MAA) Chennai

Jet
Airways

9W
2728

15:00 Hrs

16:25 Hrs

Madurai

(BLR)
Bengaluru

Jet
Airways

9W
2362

15:50 Hrs

17:05 Hrs

Madurai

(HYD)
Hyderabad

Spicejet

SG
1314

16:45 Hrs

18:35 Hrs

Madurai

(MAA) Chennai

Jet
Airways

9W
2346

17:15 Hrs

18:30 Hrs

Madurai

(MAA) Chennai

Spicejet

SG 612

19:05 Hrs

20:05 Hrs

Madurai

(MAA) Chennai

Jet
Airways

9W
2724

21:10 Hrs

22:35 Hrs

Do let us know in case you require any further information for planning your Rameshwar Tour Package by writing us
on info@waytoindia.com or send your inquiry and one of our destination expert on Rameshwaram shall help you in
planning your Rameshwaram tour.
Note : Waytoindia.com also connects you to Hindi / English speaking guides in Rameshwaram to help you deal with
the language problem.
Although we have tried to provide you the most comprehensive travel guide on Rameshwaram so that you can
easily plan your Rameshwaram tour, yet please go through the following Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs
related to this destination :

FAQs on Rameshwaram Tour Package

1. How to reach Rameshwaram from Delhi ? : One may take a train or flight to Chennai from where there are
both trains and flights to Madurai.Madurai is further connected with Rameshwaram both by train and road.
2. What are the must visit places to visit in Rameshwaram ? : Although a list of the same is given above, yet
if we have to select the must visit places in Rameshwaram, it is the Ramanathaswamy Temple which one
must visit.Most of the other places mentioned above (apart from Dhanushkodi , Kothanda Ramar Temple and
Villoondi Teeratham are very close to the temple and can be covered easily in a few hours.
3. Will it be difficult to interact with locals as I do not know Tamil ? People in Tamil Nadu generally prefer to
respond in Tamil only.However, if you book your Rameshwaram tour through Waytoindia.com, they would
connect you to Hindi/English speaking guides and drivers in Rameshwaram.
4. Are there good hotels in Rameshwaram ? Thankfullly , Rameshwaram has hotels in almost all categories
to suit the budget of all type of travelers.As of now, there are no 5 star hotels in Rameshwaram, however,
Daiwik hotel in Rameshwaram is a good luxury hotel.There are good hotels in budget and deluxe categories
also.To get a quotation for your Rameshwaram tour package write to info@waytoindia.com stating the
category of hotels required by you.

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5. The procedure of Puja at Shri Ramanathaswamy Temple seems quite elaborate. Can I hire a guide
who can help me in this ? The procedure is indeed elaborate , however, you can hire the services of
guides from outside the temple or pre-book a guide through Waytoindia.com. Beware of touts who try to
extract money on the basis of different types of Puja from you.
6. What is the best time to visit Rameshwaram ? The best time to visit Rameshwaram is between October to
March end.
Do let us know in case you have any other doubts in relation to planning your Rameshwaram tour and we would be
happy to assist you.For this as shared above kindly write to us on info@waytoindia.com .

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