Ramanathapuram, metropolis, southeastern Tamil Nadu country, southeastern India. It is situated simply south of the Vaigai River at the base of the peninsula that extends eastward to Adam’s Bridge, the collection of shoals among southeastern India and northwestern Sri Lanka.
History And Geography
In the earlier parts of the 15th century, the existing place of the Ramanathapuram district having the taluks Tiruvadanai, Paramakudi, Kamuthi, Mudukulathur, Ramanathapuram and Rameswaram had been beneath the rule of thumb of the Pandyas. For a completely small length, this place became additionally below the rule of the Chola Kings while Rajendra Chola introduced it beneath his territory in A.D. 1063. In A.D. 1520, the Nayaks of Vijayanagar Empire took over this vicinity under their control from the Pandiyan dynasty for approximately centuries. Marava chieftains-Sethupathis who were Lords beneath the Kings of the Pandiyan dynasty reigned over this component.
In the early eighteenth century, family disputes over succession caused the division of Ramanathapuram. Acting upon the drawbacks of the Nayak rules, the local chieftains have become independent. Chand Sahib captured Ramanathapuram and in 1741, the region got here below the control of the Marathas and then beneath the Nizam in A.D. 1744. The rule of the Nawabs made displeasure in the mind of these chieftains and they declared the ultimate Nayak as ruler of Pandiya Mandalam against the Nawab in A.D. 1752. By that point, the throne of Carnatic had two opponents, Shanda Sahib and Mohamed Ali, and this district fashioned a part of Carnatic. The British and French supported Chanda Sahib and Mohamed Ali respectively which resulted in a chain of conflicts inside the southern part of the continent.
Tourism
The temples of the Ramanathapuram district are prominent centres of religious significance.The temples in this district are visited via a big number of devotees from specific parts of Tamil Nadu and diverse other components of Indian all through the year. Some of the most outstanding temples in this district are Ramanathaswamy temple, Badrakali Amman temple, Kothandaramaswamy temple, etc. The Vishnu temple at Thiruppullani is dedicated to Lord Adi Jagannatha Perumal and the temple is situated at a distance of sixty four kilometers from Rameswaram. Situated at a distance of seventy kilometres from Rameswaram is Uthirakosamangai.
At this vicinity an historic Shiva temple is located, where the presiding deity is carved in Emerald. The annual competition celebrated here is known as `Arudhra` in the month of December. This festival draws a big number of devotees. Satchi Hanuman temple is some other well-known religious area wherein Lord Hanuman became said to have added the good information of the proper being of Sita to Lord Rama with an evidence choodamani (jewel) of Sita. Another temple in this district is called the Five-Faced Hanuman temple where Lord Hanuman is embellished with senthooram. The Patham Priya Koil is positioned in Thiruvotriyur in R.S. Mangalam block of the district. This temple is located over a massive vicinity and possesses a big tank. Another principal temple of this district is located at a distance of 80 five kilometres from Rameswaram. It is the Very Ugantha Vinayagar Alayam and there is a notion that Lord Rama worshipped Lord Vinayagar in this temple on his adventure to Sri Lanka.
Apart from the temples there are numerous different places of religious significance inside the district of Ramanathapuram in the Tamil Nadu nation. One of the most outstanding facilities of pilgrimage for the believers of Christianity all around the world is Oriyur. It is home to the martyrdom of St. John De Britto, a Portuguese Jesuit famously known as `Arul Anandar`. Another region of religious significance in this district is Erwadi which holds the tomb of Sultan Ibrahim Syed Aulia, who came from Arabia through Cannanore, is about eight hundred years vintage. Pilgrims from international locations like Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Singapore visit this tomb. The Santhana Koodu festival is well known in February-March at Ervadi attracts heaps of pilgrims every year.
Climate
The district has a Dry, warm weather condition throughout the yr except the North East monsoon season in November and December.
People and Culture
Classical Tamil literature for the sangam duration classifies the land into five classes (Kurinchi, Mullai, Marudham, Neydhal, Paalai) depending on the bodily, geographical, socio-monetary patterns of different parts of the usa. This nature based totally classification throws some mild at the relation and interdependence between the character and those existence samples.
One of the five categorized categories, Paalai (desolate tract) has a few basic prescriptions. Paalai is a mixture of Mullai and Kurinchi tracts, instead of as a mere sandy region, would be the image of nature. Separation and sorrow being the icon of mental behavior attached to this class. Durga and different security gods are spiritual symbols.
Administrative profile Ramanathapuram district accommodates 7 taluks, eleven blocks and 2362 villages. With repayment to the hierarchy of administrative arrangement, there are 2 municipalities, 7 metropolis panchayats and 429 village panchayats within the district.
Agriculture and horticulture Ramanathapuram district is poor in rainfall. There are no principal rivers imparting perennial water delivery for cultivation. Though a dry district, agriculture is notably undertaken with the aid of irrigating the land from tanks and wells. The rainfall at some stage in the Southwest monsoon is rather terrible. The rain during Northeast monsoon season is the major one however isn't always consistent.
Whatever rainfall takes place, it is utilised to the best benefit via a large variety of tanks and wells inside the district. Paddy is the most critical meals crop of the district. In Ramanathapuram district, paddy is principal the meals crop cultivated in greater than 63% of the net vicinity sown. It is cultivated both as irrigated and rainfed. Rainfed sowing normally commences from August and could make it bigger upto October. In early sown vicinity, farmers used to raise medium and lengthy duration varieties of paddy. There is not any marked place for late sowing, however whilst the monsoon rains are not on time, the sowing could be additionally taken up past due. In the past due sown areas medium and quick length paddy sorts are sown. Farmers are having 10 neighborhood paddy types further to high yielding sorts with the period starting from one hundred and five- a hundred thirty days and they'll pick out types consistent with the need. Red gram is sown as a blended crop with rainfed areas and additionally grown in lawn lands to a constrained volume. In tankfed ayacut region irrigated paddy is sown commonly at some stage in August to November.
Fisheries manufacturing The Ramanathapuram district has 271 km of coastline of which a hundred thirty km is in Palk bay and a hundred and forty km in Gulf of Mannar. Ramanathapuram coast is widely known for pearl fishing. The Pandya kings who dominated over this district exploited the pearl fisheries of the east coast. The Cholas who succeeded Pandyas now not best patronized pearl fishing however additionally developed it with high-quality care within the Palk bay and Gulf of Mannar. Marco Polo (1260- 1300) who traveled here at some point of this period says in his account that the pearl fishing became monopolised by Pandyas.
The huge quantity of pearls accrued from the pearl beds had been exported to Mediterranean nations. The Regional middle of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute Mandapam which changed into set up in 1947 has developed established technology for the culture of pearls, edible oyster, clam mussel and seaweed. Commercial pearl farming has come up close to Kurusadai island and the Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation Limited keeps it.
Ramanathapuram district has an awesome chank fishery. Jadhi Chanks are considerable inside the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar. More than 2000 fishermen are engaged in active chank diving and sacred chank gathered by means of divers are advertised in West Bengal for making ornaments. This contributes appreciably to the development of fisheries. About a hundred and sixty prawn farms are running in the district which follows an intensive form of prawn way of life. Prawns harvested from these farms are exported to Japan, USA and European countries, which earn extensive forex for the united states of america.
Adam’s Bridge, additionally referred to as Rama’s Bridge, chain of shoals, between the islands of Mannar, near northwestern Sri Lanka, and Rāmeswaram, off the southeastern coast of India. The bridge is 30 miles (48 km) long and separates the Gulf of Mannar (southwest) from the Palk Strait (northeast). Some of the sandbanks are dry, and nowhere are the shoals deeper than 4 ft (1 m); hence, they seriously preclude navigation. Dredging operations, now abandoned, began as early as 1838 but by no means succeeded in maintaining a channel for any vessels except those of light draft.
Geologic proof indicates that Adam’s Bridge represents a former land connection among India and Sri Lanka. Traditionally, it's miles stated to be the remnant of a massive causeway constructed via Rāma, the hero of the Hindu epic Rāmāyaṇa, to facilitate the passage of his military from India to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) for the rescue of his abducted spouse, Sītā. According to Muslim legend, Adam crossed there to Adam’s Peak, Ceylon, atop which he stood repentant on one foot for 1,000 years.
Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project
The Ram Setu bridge – also referred to as the Adam’s Bridge – is a 50-km stretch from Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu to Mannar Island in Sri Lanka. According to Hindu mythology, it was constructed by an army of monkeys for the deity Ram and his warriors to pass over to Lanka to rescue Sita.
The bridge has been embroiled in controversy seeing that 2005 after the then Congress-led government proposed the Sethusamudram shipping canal venture. The challenge required dredging in the location.
The Sethusamudram task has been adverse with the aid of numerous corporations, which include the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, as the canal’s alignment would contain cutting through the Ram Setu. The venture turned into a challenge before the Supreme Court in 2005, and some organizations stated no person should touch the bridge given its mythological significance.
Matters came to a head in 2007 when the Archaeological Survey of India filed an affidavit earlier than the court that stated that Ram was a legendary character and that the Ramayana had no historical basis.
A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, said about this project,
“ I was approximately six years vintage when my father launched into the assignment
of building a wood sailboat to take pilgrims from Rameshwaram
to Dhanushkodi, (also known as Sethukarai), and again.
He labored at building the boat at the seaside, with the assist of a
relative, Ahmed Jalaluddin, who later married my sister, Zohara.
I watched the boat take form. The wood hull and the bulkheads
were pro with the heat from wood fires.
My father became doing precise business with the boat whilst someday,
a cyclone bringing winds of over one hundred miles consistent with hour carried away
our boat, alongside some of the landmass of Sethukarai.
The Pamban Bridge collapsed with the educators full of passengers on it.
Until then, I had most effective seen the beauty of the ocean,
now its uncontrollable energy came as a revelation to me.”
A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, in “Wings of Fire – An Autobiography”
Rameswaram The holy abode of the hindu god, Rama is a digital paradise for the devout. No hindu’s adventure is complete without a pilgrimage to each Varanasi and Rameshwaram for the fruits of his quest for salvation and is hallowed by way of the epic ‘Ramayana’. Folklore mentions approximately god Ram’s presence on this land, after his 14 year exile. Local legend has it that Rama changed into helped back into Rameswaram and into India through his brother Lakshman and Hanuman along with his band of hundreds of monkeys, after finally rising positive in opposition to the demon – Ravana.
They helped build a bridge with rocks from the sea and shorelines to go to the ‘Sethu canal’ and reach India. Lord Rama is likewise believed to have sanctified this place via worshipping and glorifying Lord Shiva and as a result marks the confluence of Shaivism and Vaishnavism and is accordingly respected by using each Shaivites and Vaishnavites alike and therefore there's a sturdy notion that bathing inside the 22 ‘Theerthams’ or herbal springs is a step forward in enlightenment.
Therefore, Rameswaram has rightly been declared as one of the National Pilgrim Centres in the u . S .. Further down, the geographical terrain and panorama obviously tapers slowly however sharply toward the give up, converging and gently sinking into the ocean at Dhanushkodi – the united states’s tip in this part of the peninsular. This herbal phenomenon has loads of importance and the general public revere the idea and hope to acquire salvation as a culmination in their prayer, sacrifice and penance in this holy area.
With this backdrop, it is proposed to assemble a yogacum-meditation centre at Rameswaram which any vacationer can use to gain solace and find out oneself thru the Vedic science of yoga and meditation. This could also pave the way for the establishment of a Vedic College in which all students could be imparted with information and inputs on Hindu religion and mythology, the Vedas, Upanishads and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Ramanathaswamy Temple The legend says that Hanuman turned into sent via Lord Rama to carry a Lingam to worship at an appointed auspicious hour. As Hanuman's arrival was behind schedule, Sita moulded a lingam for Rama’s well timed worship. It is the primary deity being worshiped as Ramanathaswamy.
Disappointed Hanuman changed into later consoled via Rama by installing the Lingam which turned into brought via him a touch north of Ramanatha, and decreed that the Hanuman's lingam should have priority over the Ramanatha in all honours. Agni Theertham The calm shallow water-spread of the ocean, present hardly ever one hundred meters in the front of the temple gopuram is considered as sacred. A dip in the Agnitheertham is considered to dispose of the sins of the pilgrims.
The different theerthams (holy water tanks) in and across the temple also are vital for pilgrims. Jadayu Theertham Jadayu, king of the birds, who fought in vain with Ravana, the demon to store Sita, is stated to have fallen down here as his wings had been severed. Sand dunes surround the temple and the pond. The water inside the pond is as candy as that of a gentle coconut.
Villoondi Theertham Villoondi actually translated stands for ‘buried bow’. It is quite well known that Lord Rama usually carried a bow. According to legend, at this sacred spot, positioned round 7 km from the primary temple on the way to Pamban, is that this puranic region, widespread because it become at this area wherein Lord Ram is said to have quenched the thirst of Sita by way of dipping the bow into the sea water. Even to this day, tourists throng this location to see wherein potable water is to be had in the vicinity of sea water.
Badrakali Amman Temple A kilometer far from the primary sanctum sanctorum is the Badrakali Amman Temple with Devi Durga as its leader deity. It may be very popular among Devi Durga’s worshippers hailing in particular from West Bengal. This temple is en-route to the Gandhamathana Parvatham. Gandhamathana Parvatham A hillock situated three km to the north of the temple is the best factor inside the island. There is a two storeyed mandapam, where Rama's ft. (padam) is observed as an imprint on a chakra.
Pilgrims throng in heaps to worship Gandhamadhana Parvatham.Sukreswar temple and Theertham are located at the manner to Gandhamadana Parvatham. The Southernmost tip of the island is called Dhanushkodi. It became completely washed away with the aid of a cyclone in 1964. But the Kothandaramasamy Temple here stays intact. It is eighteen km faraway from Rameswaram and may be reached with the aid of road. A popular perception is that it is where Vibishana, a brother of Ravana, surrendered earlier than Rama. Dhanush-kodi has a great beach, in which sea surfing is viable.
Kurusadai Island This Island lies to the west of the Pamban Bridge between the mainland and the island. It is a Marine Biosphere, a paradise for the marine biologists and nature enthusiasts. Marine wealth abounds here attracting many pupils and researchers to this Island. It is about four km from Mandapam. One has to method fisheries branch for permission to visit this island. Off Kurusadai Island one may want to see lots of coral-reef fish. Dolphins and sea cows (Dugong dugon) also are regularly witnessed.
Ramanathapuram An ancient town, and is now the top quarters of the district. It came from here the Sethupathi's (Chieftains) dominated this territory. Ramalinga Vilasam Palace with top portrayal and tomb of Thayumana Swamigal, are the locations really worth journeying. A museum is functioning here. Uthirakosamangai It is located at a distance of seventy two km from Rameswaram is Uthirakosamangai There is an historical Siva temple, wherein the presiding deity is carved in Emerald. Annual 'Arudhra' festival in December attracts a big variety of devotees.
The tomb of Sultan Ibrahim Syed Aulia, who got here from Arabia thru Cannanore is set 800 years antique. Pilgrims from far off countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore are traveling this tomb. Santhanakoodu Festival is widely known in February-March and it attracts hundreds of pilgrims. Satchi Hanuman temple This is wherein Hanuman is said to have added the good news of Sita's well being to Rama with an proof choodamani (Jewel) of Sita.
Oriyur Oriyur is one of the most respected pilgrim centers for Christians internationally as it is home to the martyrdom of St. John De Britto, a Portugese Jesuit better called ‘Arulanandar’. It turned into this vicinity that the saint became beheaded in 1693 and the sand dune is said to have grown to become crimson, believed to be stained by the blood of the saint. Here, one could see an extraordinary shrine with its Portugese façade that includes a fascinating statue of Arulanandar supplying his neck in humble submission to the executioner. Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge The 2.2 km long period bridge connecting the Rameswaram island and the mainland is the longest bridge in India built over a bay. It is likewise referred to as Pamban Bridge. Similarly the railway bridge connecting the island is stated for its specific opening mechanism to pass the ships through the sea.
Industrial improvement (effluent discharge / pollutants – air water land and many others.) The district is considered as an industrially backward vicinity and the Government is giving incentives like allotment of sites at less expensive quotes, adequate energy supply and loans on low fees of interest to entrepreneurs for setting up industries. The Government with its component also has installation of few institutions inside the public / co-operative sectors for offering employment to local populace.
The chief industries located inside the district are handloom weaving of textiles, spinning and weaving of textiles in factories, salt and chemical industries, cement, suits, crackers and fireworks and printing and allied industries. Handloom weaving of cotton textiles is an historic occupation followed in this district. The critical handloom centres are situated in Paramakudi taluk. Silk weaving, the use of China Silk as uncooked fabric, is practised in Ramanathapuram and Paramakudi. Textile generators are functioning in the district, which produce a variety of yarns.
Mat weaving is followed in the location of Ilaiyankudi. Boxes and different articles from palmyrah leaves are being synthetic in some of the places in Ramanathapuram taluk. Coconut coir fibre making is followed inside the district, the important centre being Periyapattinam There has been no discharge of business effluents in river basin/other water bodies in Ramanathapuram district. Iii) Natural risks No statistics to be had concerning the natural dangers in the coastal areas of this district. However, it is obvious that erosion, accretion, sea stage upward thrust and the influences of weather exchange are no one of a kind from different districts.
Coastal safety tasks The island of Sri Lanka act as a huge barrier even inside the case of future tsunami and harm to this coast changed into minimum at some stage in the earlier tsunami . Further, the stretch of the coast is in a bay formation with no longer a whole lot of littoral drift pastime. Moreover islands of the Gulf of Mannar, dynamic assets like coral reefs, mangroves and seagrasses of both Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay act as bioshield to guard the coast of this district.
Stretch from Devipattinam to Nambuthalai This stretch of the coast covers Devipattinam, Thirupalakudi, Morpannai, Mullimanai and Nambuthalai. For all the above stretches, the info of the coastline modifications aren't without a doubt glaring. From the local public, it became heard that there may be non-stop erosion however not alarming. Only all through cyclones, damages have taken vicinity. Tsunami did not have an effect on this place.
For Nambuthalai, among the shoreline and a present road there are a number of hutments which aren't everlasting kind may be relocated. No hard measures are recommended for this region as the sediment transport is nearly nil and the coastline oscillations are just transient. Enormous quantity of sea grass is available. Plantations are endorsed. Iii) Awareness initiatives [ Various recognition introduction sports have been made by many of the fisher folk on tsunami and CRZ issues via extraordinary Government and Non Government groups.
The district has 2 rivers viz. Vaigai and Gundar, but they're not perennial.
• Ramanathapuram district has 271 km of coastline of which a hundred thirty km in Palk bay and 140 km in Gulf of Mannar.
• The district is taken into consideration as an industrially backward region as there are not any major industries within the district.
• Ramanathapuram district is incredibly drought susceptible because of the lack of rain and rivers.
• The island of Sri Lanka acted as a large barrier at some point of tsunami at the side of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrasses of both Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay. Coral and seagrass restoration has been achieved by means of Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute in the Gulf of Mannar coast of the district.
• Mangrove healing has been done by using the Forest Department.
Water Bird Sanctuary
The Water Bird Sanctuary located here gives you a pleasant break from temple hopping. A wonderful Place to Visit in Rameshwaram, it sees native and migratory birds, especially from October to March when they arrive here to breed and feed their young ones. Giving a superb Thing to Do in Rameshwaram for nature lovers, the park offers you a chance of satisfying birdwatching.
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