| Lok Sabha Constituencies in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu (MP Constituencies) | Ramanathapuram |
| MLA Assembly Constituencies in Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu | Mudhukulathur Paramakudi Ramanathapuram Tiruvadanai |
About the District :
In 1910, Ramanathapuram was formed by clubbing portions from Madurai and Tirunelveli districts. Shri J.F. BRYANT I.C.S. was the first collector. During the British period this district was called as Ramnad. The name continued after independence. Later the district was renamed as Ramanathapuram to be in conformity with the Tamil Name for this region. Ramanathapuram is also known as Mugavai(face) as the River Vaigai ends it journey here in the Palk Strait.
As per GO Ms.No. 347 dated 08.03.1985, Ramanathapuram was trifurcated on 15.03.1985 as
1) Sivagangai District which consists of Thiruppattur, Karaikudi, Devakottai, Sivaganga, Manamadurai and Illaiyankudi Taluks.
2) Virudhunagar District which consist of Sriviliputur, Virudhunagar, Thiruchuli, Aruppukottai, Sathur and Rajapalayam Taluks.
3) Ramanathapuram District which consists of Tiruvadanai, Paramakudi, Kamuthi, Mudukulathur, Ramanathapuram and Rameswaram Taluks
Census data :
| AREA (Sq.Km.) | 4,104 |
| TOTAL POPULATION | 13,53,445 |
| MALE POPULATION | 6,82,658 |
| FEMALE POPULATION | 6,70,787 |
| Density/km | 330 |
| TOTAL LITERATES | 9,78,946 |
| TOTAL LITERATES – MALE | 5,36,487 |
| TOTAL LITERATES – FEMALE | 4,42,459 |
Geographical location :
This district lies between 90 05′ and 90 50′ Northern latitudes 780 10′ and 790 27′ Eastern longitudes.
This district is bound by Virudunagar and Tuticorin districts in the West and Sivagangai and Pudukuttai districts in the North . On the East and South, the boundaries are palk bay and the Gulf of Mannar.
Climate :
The district has a Dry, hot weather condition throughout the year except the North East monsoon season in November and December.
People and Culture :
Classical Tamil literature during sangam period classifies the land into five categories (Kurinchi, Mullai, Marudham, Neydhal, Paalai) depend upon the physical, geographical, socio-economic patterns of different parts of the country. This nature based classification throws some light on the relation and interdependence between the nature and people’s life pattern.
One of the five classified categories, Paalai (desert) has some basic prescriptions. Paalai is a mixture of Mullai and Kuṟiñci tracts, rather than as a mere sandy area, would be the symbol of nature. Separation and sorrow being the icon of psychological behavior attached to this category. Durga and other security gods be spiritual symbols
Tourist Places :
Rameswaram :
The Holy abode of the Hindu God, Shri Ram (addressed so with all respect & humility) is a virtual paradise for the devout. No Hindu’s journey is complete without a pilgrimage to both Varanasi and Rameswaram for the culmination of his quest for salvation and is hallowed by the epic ‘Ramayana’. Folklore mentions about God Ram’s presence in this land, after his 14-year exile.
Local legend has it that Shri Ram was helped back into Rameswaram and into India by his brother Lakshman and Hanuman along with his band of thousands of monkeys, after finally emerging victorious against the demon – Ravana. They helped build a bridge with rocks from the sea and shores to cross the ‘Sethu canal’ and reach Lanka. Lord Rama is also believed to have sanctified this place by worshipping and glorifying Lord Shiva and hence marks the confluence of Shaivism and Vaishnavism and is thus revered by both Shaivites and Vaishnavites alike and thus there is a strong belief that bathing in the 22 ‘Theerthams’ or natural springs is a step forward in enlightenment. Therefore, Rameswaram has rightly been declared as one of the National Pilgrim Centres in the count.
The Ramanathaswamy temple by itself is a delight for every tourist. With its magnificent, imposing structure, long corridors, aesthetically carved pillars, the temple is adorned with a towering 38-metre ‘Gopuram’. The temple itself was built by rulers since the 12th century with Sethupathy Maravar beginning the construction of the grand Ramanathaswamy temple that boasts of the ‘Third Corridor’, completed by his successor, Maravar – the longest one in Asia with a 197-metre span from East to West and a 133-metre span from South to North, the third largest in the world! It is said that Swamy Vivekananda offered prayers at this temple in 1897. It is also one of the twelve Jyothirlinga temples, where Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam
Ramanathaswamy Temple
The legend says that Hunuman was sent by Lord Rama to bring a Lingam to worship at an appointed auspicious hour. As Human’s arrival was delayed, Sita moulded a lingam for Rama’s timely worship. It is the main being worshiped as Ramanathaswamy. Disappointed Hunuman was later consoled by Rama by installing the Lingam which was brought by him a little north of Ramanatha, and decreed that the Hunuman’s lingam should have precedence over the Ramanatha in all honours.
Satchi Hanuman Temple
This is where Hanuman said to have delivered the good news of sita’s well being to Rama with an evidence choodamani(Jewel) of Sita.
Five Faced Hanuman Temple
Hanuman is adorned with senthooram here. The stone said to have used to construct the floating bridge Sethu Bandanam could be seen here.
Agni Theertham
The calm shallow water-spread of the sea, present hardly 100 meters in front of the temple gopuram is considered as sacred. A dip in the Agnitheertham is considered to remove the sins of the pilgrims. The other theerthams (holy water tanks) in and around the temple are also important for Pilgrims.
Jatayu Theertham
Jatayu is an eagle who helped lord Rama and Lakshmana during their desperate search for Sita had been taken by Ravana. Jatayu tried to rescue Sita and was defeated and severely injured in the fight with Ravana. Jataya who was dying, informed them that Ravana was flying away with the crying Sita towards SriLanka. Jatayu died in Lord Rama’s arms and Lord Rama was overwhelmed with the love for Jatayu and it was buried and a temple was made at the place of burial.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s Memorial :
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, better known as A. P. J. Abdul Kalam who was the 11th president of India. Kalam was born and brought up in Rameswaram and became a scientist and worked for DRDO and ISRO. After his sudden demise at Shillong on 27th July 2015, he was laid to rest at Pei Karumbu, Rameswaram on 30th July 2015. A memorial has been built at the burial site. Inside, the memorial, one can see the selected photos, paintings and miniature models of misssiles etc.,. The memorial is less than 1 km from Rameswaram.
Pamban Bridge :
The 2.2 km. length bridge connecting the Rameswaram Island and the mainland is the longest bridge in India constructed over a bay. It is also called as Pamban Bridge. Similarly the railway SCISSORS bridge connecting the island is noted for its unique opening to pass the ships through the sea.
Dhanushkodi :
The southernmost tip of the rameswaram island is called Dhanushkodi. It was completely washed away by a cyclone in 1964. But the Kothandaramasamy Temple here remains intact. It is 18 KMs way from Rameswaram can be reached by road. A popular belief is that, it is where Vibishana a brother of Ravana surrendered before Rama. Dhanushkodi has a fine beach, where Sea surfing is possible.
Thiruppullani :
Thiruppullani: Also called Dharbasayanam, the Vishnu Temple here, is dedicated to Lord Adi Jaganathaperumal. It is 10.2 KM from Ramanathapuram. Lord Rama prayed to the Samudraraja (God of Ocean) to seek way to reach Lanka. He did a penance (thavam) lying in Kusa grass (tharuppai), and this act is described Dharbasayanam in Sanskrit.
Thiru Uthirakosamangai :
18 KMs from Ramanathapuram is Uthirakosamangai. There is an ancient Siva temple, where the presiding deity is carved in Emerald. Annual Arudhra festival in December attracts a large number of devotees.
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