Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Enchanting Rameshwaram, beautiful Dhanuskoti!


Trichy - Rameshwaram Dhanuskodi - Trichy

Just returned from two day trip to Rameshwaram and back! Refreshing!

Rameshwaram the place itself is very interesting. Entire town is around the temple and reaching it in train through Pamban Bridge is very exciting! If there is a chance to go to Rameshwaram do so. The Pamban Bridge crossing itself is very exciting.

Train details:
16701 Chennai-Rameshwaram express
16702 Rameshwaram-Chennai express

Our journey started on an early Saturday morning from Trichy junction. The train was late by 1.5hours but reached rameshwaram at 1pm. We had booked at Hotel Harish Rameshwaram. Neat place and convenient location for temple, beach and eat outs. We paid Rs.850+tax for Non AC room.

We rushed into one of the Bhavans around temple for a decent lunch. I would recommend Gujarathi Bhojanalaya. Neat food and served hot. Try their lassi.

We took a share auto and paid Rs.250 he took us around to Ramar padam and 4 other places and dropped us at Agni theertham. This whole trip takes about 2hours and it is interesting. I liked the floating stone near Panja mugha anjeneyar kovil.

Bathing at all wells takes about 1.5hours. Someone came and told if we pay Rs.100 per person(Normal rate:Rs25/person) he would help us to speed up and do it special. We took it and it was well worth it. No queue anywhere as the person is dedicated to us totally. He would pull water from every well and pour on our head! Each well's water is different in taste and temperature. It was a fun activity! The temple authorities have taken such a good care of this place no place is slippery! It was really clean and fun! Do it! 

After this we went for Darshan and there again there was a huge queue but it cleared super fast. 

Day 2:
After breakfast we hired a jeep to visit Dhanuskoti. They charge Rs.1200 for a jeep trip of about 3 hours. We told we would like to play in water for an hour so we were charged another 400rs extra. Jeeps are available in plenty from Sangam. They all try to cheat you saying it is very difficult to reach the place. No one goes. Be ready to listen to imaginary stories. After one such session our journey to Dhanuskoti started. Till Sukreever theertham, there is excellent road. This road again is very interesting with water on both sides.

Jeep ride itself is fun. It drives on sand and water with no road at all! After a drive for 1 hour we reached beautiful Dhanuskoti where you see the beach on all sides. This place is very different! Waves are gentle, sand is very soft, water is crystal clear! There was a small tide pool also created from the beach, which again was very nice! One can bath, float swim in your own private beach! 

After this we returned to hotel, changed had wonderful lunch at Ramdev Bhojanalaya. Went to Agnitheertham for a boat ride. It costs 60rs/person. If you can tolerate loud music, you can enjoy the ride!