Location: At Rameshwaram on the Rameshwaram
Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, located at Rameshwaram on the Rameshwaram (Pamban) Island in the state of Tamil Nadu is a much venerated shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Reckoned as one of the Char Dhams of the Char Dham pilgrimage in India and also counted amongst the 12 Jyotirlingams sanctified by the holy presence of Lord Shiva Himself, this temple is a must visit destination both for the Shaivites as well as the Vaishnavites at least once in a life time. It is believed that this Shiva Lingam was formed by Devi Sita out of sand and Lord Ram worshipped the Lingam as a part of the prayers performed by him to wash the sin of Brahma Hatya off. The temple of Sri Ramanathaswamy at Rameshwaram, assumed to have been built in 12th century AD under the patronage of several rulers is constructed in the Dravidian Style of Architecture.
The noteworthy features of this edifice are the 865 feet by 657 feet long compound walls (madil), the striking huge Gopurams (high towers) and the long enthralling corridors. These intricately ornamented and unparalleled corridors of Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple running between huge columns on over five feet high platforms yield a kind of grandeur and magnificence to the temple. The point where the third corridor intersects with the paved way that leads from the western Gopuram to Setumadhava Shrine, a unique structure of the chess board is formed which is known as Chokkattan Madapam. The outer set of the corridors of this temple consisting about 1200 pillars is accredited to be the longest temple corridor in the world. The temple complex of the Ramanathaswamy Temple also houses sub shrines of various deities such as Viswanatha, Visalakshi, Parvathavardhini, Santanaganpathi, etc.
An additional attraction of this temple complex is its 22 wells having medicinal qualities. The water from each of the well tastes different. Devotees make it a point to bathe in the water of these wells before going for the Darshana. The Sethupathy Kings of Rameshwaram contributed a lot in the restoration and renovation of the Rameshwaram Temple.

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Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple of Rameshwaram is built facing east. The calm and comparatively shallow seashore, about 100 meters from the main entrance of the temple towards its back is exalted by the title ‘Agnitheertham’. This place, ideal for bathing is regarded to be very sacred amongst the devotees and it is believed that bathing in the waters of Agnitheertham frees you of all your worldly sins. Moreover, Agnitheertham also holds importance amongst the Hindus as it is said that your demised ancestors attain ‘Moksha’ if you perform rituals at Agnitheertham in their name. When you visit Agnitheertham of Rameshwaram you will see hundreds of devotees bathing in the sea and also offering ‘Tarpan’ to their forefathers. As the myth goes, Agnitheertham is the very place where Lord Ram had bathed after worshipping Lord Shiva in order to wash himself off of the sin of killing Ravana.

Location: Positioned about 3 kilometers away from the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple
Gandamadana Parvatham is a hillock positioned about 3 kilometers away from the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple and a little away from the famous fishing village of Rameshwaram; Dhanushkodi. Gandamadana Parvatham happens to be the highest geographical point of the Pamban Island. A temple dedicated to Lord Ram is set up atop the hill where the footprints of Lord Ram are stamped on a Chakra. This temple is known as ‘Rama Theertham’. It is believed that this is the very locale where Lord Ram had met Vibhishana, the brother of the demon king Ravana who surrendered to Ram and helped him in the battle against Ravana. The temple of Rama Theertham also enshrines an image of Vibhishana. The entire Rameshwaram Island as well as the surrounding sapphire blue ocean reveals itself in its complete splendor from the top of the Gandamadana Parvatham.

Location: Located near the Doordarshan Kendra on the way to Gandamadana Parvatham from the Rameshwaram Temple
Sugreev was the king of the monkey kingdom of Kishkindha who was helped by Lord Ram to regain his empire from his bother Vali who had wrongly abducted it from Sugreev. In return, Sugreev applied his entire monkey force to assist Lord Ram in the battle against the demon king Ravana in order to rescue Devi Sita from his clutches. Sugreevar Temple is a shrine dedicated to the monkey king Sugreev which is located near the Doordarshan Kendra on the way to Gandamadana Parvatham from the Rameshwaram Temple.

Location: Within the Sugreevar Temple
Satchi Hanuman Temple stationed approximately 3 kilometers from the main Ramanathaswamy Temple on the way to Gandamadana Parvatham is a shrine erected in the honor of Lord Hanuman, the ardent devotee of Lord Ram. According to the prevalent legend, this is the very site where Lord Hanuman on his return from Lanka after the ‘Lanka Dahan’ episode met Lord Ram and conveyed him the good news of Sita’s well being. It was here that Lord Hanuman narrated the incident of meeting Sita in Ashok Vatika and also presented Lord Ram the ‘Choodamani’, an ornament possessed by Devi Sita as an evidence or ‘Satchi’ of their meeting.

Location: Nearly 3.5 kilometers from the Ramanathaswamy Temple on the way to Dhanushkodi Village on Dhanushkodi Road
Jada Theertham, located nearly 3.5 kilometers from the Ramanathaswamy Temple on the way to Dhanushkodi Village on Dhanushkodi Road is a sacred water tank. The legend associated with this Theertham relates that after killing the demon king Ravana when Lord Ram retuned to Rameshwaram and decided to worship Lord Shiva to get rid of the sin of ‘Brahma Hatya’, he washed his hair (Jada) with the water of Jada Theertham to symbolically purify them of the blood of Ravana. A small temple set up adjacent the Jada Theertham within the Kaveri Theertham is dedicated to Lord Kapardishvara, which happens to be the only temple in India where this deity is worshipped. Apart from this, it is further believed that the mythological king of birds and the friend of King Dasharatha; the father of Ram; Jatayu, after being killed by Ravana had fallen in the Jada Theertham. A Peepal Tree is situated adjoining the Jada Theertham where it is believed that all the deities rest. Jada Theertham is surrounded by sand dunes and the water of Jada Theertham is said to be as sweet as coconut water.

Location: About 8 kilometers from the Rameshwaram Temple on the way to Dhanushkodi
Nambu Nayagiamman Temple, located about 8 kilometers from the Rameshwaram Temple on the way to Dhanushkodi is a shrine dedicated to Lord Ram. This 14th century temple constructed by the citizens of Ramnad District is a highly venerated holy place of Ramnad. This temple of Nambu Nayagiamman is commended for its gigantic bells suspended at the entrance of the temple and the extensive gardens praised for its pristine beauty and delicateness. The temple of Nambu Nayagiamman is an open edifice and it lets the sun light directly enter the premises.

Location: Nested roughly 12 kilometers from Rameshwaram
Kothandaramaswamy Temple nested roughly 12 kilometers from Rameshwaram is dedicated to Lord Ram. The myth woven with the background of this temple suggests that Vibhishana, the brother of Ravana surrendered to Lord Ram at this very place. Subsequently Lord Ram vowed that he will conquer the Kingdom of Lanka and anoint Vibhishana on the throne as the King of Lanka Empire. The walls of Kothandaramaswamy Temple are adorned with the paintings chronologically narrating the episodes from Ramayana.

Location: On the Rameswaram – Pamban Road
Laxmana was the younger brother of Lord Ram who had accompanied Lord Ram on his exile willingly sacrificing all the worldly pleasures and devoutly served Lord Ram and Devi Sita. He also fought against Ravana on behalf of Lord Ram in the legendary battle of Ram and Ravana. The Laxmana Theertham of Rameshwaram constructed in the honor of Laxmana bestows an equally divine status to Laxmana and worships him along with Lord Ram and Devi Sita. The waters of the adjoining pond are adored as sacred Theertham and devotees immerse in this holy water in the reverence to Lord Laxmana.

Location: Nearly 7 kilometers from the Ramanathaswamy Temple of Rameshwaram on the way to Pamban
Villoondi Theertham, situated nearly 7 kilometers from the Ramanathaswamy Temple of Rameshwaram on the way to Pamban is a holy site dedicated to the blessed memory of Lord Ram. The term Villoondi means ‘a buried bow’. Villoondi Theertham is the place where Lord Ram after killing the demon king Ravana buried his bow. Before burying the bow, Lord Ram shot an arrow in the sea from where a spring of sweet water emerged. This water quenched the thirst of Devi Sita. Villoondi Theertham is the only point in the sea where sweet drinking water is found in the midst of the boundless sweep of the salty waters of the sea. An additional attraction of the Villoondi Theertham is its Ekantha Ramar Temple which is believed to be established at the very locus where Lord Ram had resided before attacking on Lanka. Presently Villoondi Theertham Temple is under the administration of Tangachi Matam Panchayat and the charge of daily Pooja is handed to the Arya Maharashtra hereditary pujaris.

Location: Located Badrakalimman Temple
Dhanushkodi is the southernmost tip of Rameshwaram Island which particularly came into limelight after the devastating cyclone of the year 1964. Now a small fishing village, Dhanushkodi is a long strip of land extended on the eastern end of the Pamban (Rameshwaram) Island which is about 1 km in width and 18 km in length. This stretch of land is flanked by the Indian Ocean on one side and by the Bay of Bengal on the other. These two seas are locally known by the names Ratnakaran and Mahodadhi. The place where both the seas collide forms a bow like shape and the strip of the land resembles the shape of an arrow ready to be released. This analogy yields the name Dhanushkodi. The arrowhead venerated by the name ‘Adi Sethu’ is considered to be a sacred place by Hindus where they perform various religious rituals. Moreover, Dhanushkodi is also acclaimed for its spectacular scenic beauty and its exceptional bird life. The Ex President of India and the renowned aerospace engineer, professor and scientist Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam belongs to the Dhanushkodi Village.

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Kodi Theertham, one of the 23 Theerthams of Rameshwaram is a sacred water tank where it is believed that Lord Shri Krishna had bathed in order to wash himself off of the sin of killing his uncle Kamsa.

Location: On the edge of beautiful Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat
Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge, popularly known as ‘Pamban Bridge’ is a cantilever bridge built on the Palk Strait that links Rameshwaram to the mainland India. 2.3 kilometers long Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge is India's first sea bridge and the second longest bridge of the country after Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The Pamban Railway Bridge is 6,776 feet long and operational since 1914. The railroad bridge is a double-leaf bascule bridge that can be raised to let the ships pass under the bridge. As suggested in the ‘Nanji Bapa Ni Nondh Pothi’ of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Community, the Pamban Bridge was constructed by Mistri Manji Daya Wegad & Lakhu Devji Vegad from Anjar, Varjang Hirji from Nagalpar and Gangji Narayan from Khedoi. The Pamban Bridge comprises 143 pillars, each of them 220 feet in length and 100 tones in weight. The central span of the bridge is called Swichers Bridge. The Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge is located about 22 km from the main temple of Rameshwaram and the islands nearby as well as the parallel rail bridge below can be viewed from Pamban Bridge.

Location: Located Badrakalimman Temple
Ramanathapuram, also known as ‘Ramnad’ is the administrative headquarters of the Ramanathapuram District to which Rameshwaram Town belongs. The erstwhile capital of the Sethupathis of Rameshwaram, Ramanathapuram is visited by the tourists particularly to see the ‘Raja Palace’, still occupied by the former Sethupathi Raja and his family.

Location: Just 2 kilometers from the main temple of Rameshwaram on the way to Gandamadana Parvatham
Badrakalimman Temple, located just 2 kilometers from the main temple of Rameshwaram on the way to Gandamadana Parvatham is the largest amongst the temples dedicated to Goddess Mahakali in Southern India. The imperial tower of the temple decorated with a cupola gilded with pure gold yields a celestial grandeur to the temple edifice whereas the idol of the Goddess Badrakali, also made of gold reveals the prosperity of the temple. This temple of Badrakalimman has undergone several renovations over the centuries which are reflected in the various artifacts and masterpieces of architecture representing different eras. Presently a number of organizations have volunteered to take up the responsibility of managing the administration of this transcendental piece of architecture.

Location: Just two kilometers from the Sri Ramanathaswamy temple
Adam’s Bridge, a 48 km long natural chain of coral reefs, sandbanks, rocks and small islands that almost connects the Pamban Island of India to the Mannar Island of Sri Lanka is believed to be the ‘Ramsetu’ built by Lord Ram and his monkey army to reach Lanka to rescue Goddess Sita. The Ramsetu derives its name ‘Adam’s Bridge’ from an Islamic legend which states that Adam had used this bridge to reach ‘Adam’s Peak’ in Sri Lanka. The sandbanks that the bridge comprises are very dry and the nearby sea is as shallow as 3 feet. This bridge separates the Gulf of Mannar from the Palk Strait.

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Adam’s Bridge, a 48 km long natural chain of coral reefs, sandbanks, rocks and small islands that almost connects the Pamban Island of India to the Mannar Island of Sri Lanka is believed to be the ‘Ramsetu’ built by Lord Ram and his monkey army to reach Lanka to rescue Goddess Sita. The Ramsetu derives its name ‘Adam’s Bridge’ from an Islamic legend which states that Adam had used this bridge to reach ‘Adam’s Peak’ in Sri Lanka. The sandbanks that the bridge comprises are very dry and the nearby sea is as shallow as 3 feet. This bridge separates the Gulf of Mannar from the Palk Strait.

Location: Located in the Ramanathapuram District
Water Bird Sanctuary located in the Ramanathapuram District is indeed a heaven for the bird watchers. Celebrated for the water birds of diverse species that visit this reservoir particularly during the north east monsoon season that extends from October to January, this sanctuary shelters a wide range of variety birds both native as well as migrant who come here for breeding and in search of food. Moreover, Kanjirankulam and Chittirankudi Sanctuaries in Ramanathapuram and the Arichamunai Bird Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi are also famous amongst the bird lovers. The five hundred water tanks of Ramanathapuram district also attract innumerable migratory birds from Europe and Australia.

Location: On one of the islands of Kothandaramaswamy Temple
Ariyaman Beach located alongside the Palk Bay in the Ramanathapuram District is a long stretch of clean and pristine littoral enveloped with large casuarinas groves providing shade that is ideal for reposing or picnicking. Nestled approximately 27 kilometers from Rameshwaram, this 2 km long and 150 meters wide beach offers a perfect retreat for the vacationers and travelers. The major attractions of Ariyaman Beach include children's park, aquarium, museum, a watch tower, and various water sports such as wind surfing, water scooter, and parasailing. A number of dormitories and cottages set up along the seashore provide accommodation to the tourists. This beach is throbbing with the tourists on weekends and on festival days when the beach registers approximately 5000 arrivals. Even on the weekdays more than 500 tourists daily pay visit to the Ariyaman Beach of Ramanathapuram District.