Rameswaram, an island
about 160 km Southeast of Madurai is connected to the
mainland both by a railway and a road bridge. It is
a major pilgrim site. It is believed that the pilgrimage
one undertakes in Kasi in the very north should culminate
in bathing in the sacred waters of Rameswaram in order
to obtain the full benefit. According to 'Ramayana',
the Hindu epic, Lord Rama himself had installed the
Lingam in this place which therefore gains an added
importance and is held in high esteem by all the Hindus
of India both Vaishnavites and Saivites. The other pilgrimage
point in this island of Rameswaram is Dhanuskodi that
is also called 'Sethu'. It is considered meritorious
to take a dip in the sea off the coast of Dhanushkodi.
There are several other small temples of interest scattered
around this island.