|
|
Ramanathapuram district has an area of 4,232-sq-km and
occupies part of the flat southern coastal plains, including the island of
Rameswaram. Protected from the northeastern and southwestern monsoons by
the Western Ghats to the west and the mountains of Sri Lanka to the
southeast, it has an unusually dry climate, but irrigation tanks (embanked
earth reservoirs) enable the district to produce chilies and cotton for
export.
It's Location
It is bounded on the north by Sivaganga and Pudukkottai districts, on the
east and south by the Bay of Bengal, and on the west by Tuticorin and
Virudunagar districts. The district headquarters is located at
Ramanathapuram, a small town of the same name as the district.
Ramanathapuram formed part of Pandyan Kingdom; it produces textiles and
jewellery and has two colleges affiliated with the Madurai-Virudunagar
University. Its name refers to the Hindu god Rama.
Ramanathapuram having been known from early times and mentioned in
Ramayana and later in Tamil Puranas naturally has a good number of places
of worship associated with Hindu gods. Of these, Rameswaram deserve
mention, which even now attracts large number of persons all over the
country.
History Of Ramanathapuram
In the early centuries, Ramanathapuram district formed part of Pandyan
Kingdom. Its history is closely linked with the Pandyan Kingdom till the
end of the 15th century. The Pandyan Kings ruled over the territories,
which comprised of Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Tirunelveli. For a brief
period, this area was also under the Chola Kings when Rajendra Chola
brought it under his authority in 1063 AD.
Ramanathapuram territory was also under the Muslim Empire till 1365 AD.
With the help of the Vijayanagar King, this territory was brought again
under the rule of Pandyas by Parakaram Pandya Deva. By about 1520 AD, the
Nayaks of Vijayanagar took over this territory under their control from
the Pandyan Dynasty. For about two centuries, Nayak Kings ruled
Ramanathapuram territory from Madurai.
During the Nayaks rule, the Marava chieftains-Sethupathis who were lords
under the Pandyan Kings reigned over this part in 17th century. The
history of Ramanathapuram is closely linked with the history of the
Palayams. Ramanathapuram fell into the hands of Chanda Sahib of Carnatic
in 1731 AD. In 1741 AD, the area came under the control of the Marathas
and then under the Nizam in 1744 AD. Nawab's rule was not acknowledged by
these chieftains. In the middle of 18th century, they declared the adopted
son of Queen Meenakshi, the last Nayak ruler, as the King of Pandya
Mandalam against the Nawabs. In 1773 AD, General Smith brought them under
the authority of the British. The British took control of the
administration of Ramanathapuram in 1795 AD. It was converted into a
Zamindari in 1803 AD and Mangaleswari Nachiyar was made a Zamindar.
Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga continued to be Zamins till the system of
Zamindari was abolished in 1948 AD after India attained Independence. In
the year 1985 the district of Ramanathapuram trifurcated forming three
separate districts i.e. Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Virudunagar.
Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram is a pilgrimage centre of nationwide importance, as Rama is
said to have worshipped Shiva here on his way back from Sri Lanka. The
temple is in the island of Rameshwaram, the Banares of the South,
connected to the mainland by a bridge. The deity here constitutes one of
the 12 Jyotirlingas of India.
A pilgrimage to Rameshwaram is among the important injunctions laid on
the Hindu from time immemorial. The great temple of Sri Ramanatha is
connected by tradition with Kasi (also spelt as Kashi). A pilgrimage to
Kasi is not considered complete without a pilgrimage to Rameshwaram.
Gandamadhana Parvata
On the island of Rameshwaram (also spelt as Rameshwaram), just outside
the Ramanatha temple there are a few sites also held sacred. About 2.5-km
west of the temple, on a hillock, stands the Gandamadhana Parvata. In this
Mandapa footprints of Sri Rama are enshrined. From the top of the Mandapa
there is a fine view of parts of the island. Eight kilometres from the
temple, on the way to Dhanushkodi, there is a beautiful temple of Sri
Kodandarama where, tradition says, Vibishana was crowned when he joined
Sri Rama.
Tiruppullani
Outside the island of Rameswaram, there are three other sites
traditionally connected with Sri Rama's expedition to Sri Lanka. A big
temple in Tiruppullani commemorates the tradition that there the Lord
obtained a bow and arrows to use in the impending war from its presiding
deity and also that the Lord of the Ocean who had refused to help Him
finally submitted.
Sethu
5-km south of the Ramanatha temple is Sethu, where there is a celebrated
temple of Sri Anjaneya, and where, tradition holds, Sri Rama built a
bridge to Sri Lanka. In Devipatnam, or Navapashanam, also by the sea,
there are nine stones visible at low tide. It is believed that they were
set up by Sri Rama to represent the nine planets, the Navagrahas.
Uttarakosamangai
16-km southwest of Ramanathapuram stands the renowned Shiva temple of
Uttarakosamangai. Manikkavachagar has sung of it. The Lord is
Mangaleshvara and the Goddess Mangalesvari. The temple has inspired many
Tamil works of devotion. So, of course, has the Ramanatha temple in
Rameswaram.
To the making, expansion and preservation of these and many other temples
in the district, the 'Setupathis' of Ramanathapuram contributed
magnificently. Originally a ruling power in these parts, the British made
them Zamindars. The Sethupathi's proud boast was that he was the guardian
of the Sethu. The family is closely connected with the temples in
Rameswaram, Tiruppullani, and Uttarakosamangai.
Air: The nearest airport is at Madurai, 110-km
away.
Rail: Ramanathapuram has a railway station, which is well
connected by rail with all major cities like Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore,
Trichy, Thanjavur etc.
Road: State transport buses are available from the railway station
to the various places in and around Ramanathapuram. For local
transportation taxis, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are available.
Accommodation is available at the medium class hotels, lodges and devasthanam cottages in Ramanathapuram.
Vegetarian: - Hotel Abirami
Salai Street, Ramanathapuram.
Vasantham Restaurant
12, Railway Feeder Road
Near Anna Bus Stand
Front Railway Station, Ramanathapuram.
Hotel Arul Jothi
Thurairaj Sathra Street
Near Jegan Theatre, Ramanathapuram.
Sri Krishna Bhavan
Madurai N.H Road
Opposite Goverment Hospital, Ramanathapuram-623501.
Sri Saravana Bhavan
Opposite Old Bustand
Near Railway Station, Ramanathapuram-623504.
Hotel Anusiya
Big Bazaar
Near Aranmanai , Ramanathapuram-623535.
Non-Vegetarian: -
Hotel Kurinji
Main Branch: Big Bazaar, Agraharam Road, Ramanathapuram-623501.
Branch: Chinnakkadai, Near Bharathi Nagar Bus Stop, Ramanathapuram.
Area: 63-sq-kms
Population: 52,654 (1991 Census)
Latitude: N9° 05' to 9o 56'
Longitude: E 78o 12' to 79o 26'
Clothing: Light Cottons
Languages Spoken: Tamil, Telugu and English
STD Code: 04567
Climate: Tropical
Temperature Range (deg C):
Summer- Max 48ºC, Min 35.6ºC
Winter- Max 30ºC, Min 25ºC
Rainfall: 949 mm
Sivaganga - 39-km
Tuticorin - 126-km
Viruduanagar - 97-km