[ravib]

Just returned from Rameswaram trip yesterday - 3rd Mar 2024.

Onward journey took. Bangalore-Palani-Madurai bypass-Ramand-Rameswaram route on Thursday evening.

Purposely skipped Madurai city traffic (though Gmaps suggests it) and took the bypass and drove all the way till roundabout before Kappalur toll plaza, took left there and further drive down to next major roundabout towards Ramnad and Rameswaram road.
Its the same route that arun_joise shared below. Time wise, it was 15 minutes more but totally worth it and easy to drive and completely avoids Madurai city traffic and all the signals.

Had a chance to visit to Keezhadi archaeological site and also the amazing museum. Definitely a worthy stop and it is not a typical government musuem. Its very well maintained and built in traditional house way and i was super impressed with it. Need easily 1 to 1.5 hours to see all exhibits and a fantastic photo shoot spot for sure

At Rameswaram, i was there on 1st March 2024 Friday and was lucky to see 3 times darshan. I did plan to go at this time of the year expecting less crowd and good weather and it turned out perfect. Surprisingly no crowd at all.

Morning 5 am, went for Spatika linga darshan and finished it in 20 minutes.
And then at 6.30 am went for Agni Theertham sea bath followed by 22 well bath inside the temple. Though i had done this in the past , it was chaotic and was not a great experience in the past. However, surprisingly, i was very glad to see it is very well organized now. The route is clearly marked , well laid anti-skid tiles every where and proper routing happening from first well till 22nd well. For adults they charge Rs.25/- per person as ticket for general crowd, but you can also give Rs. 125/- per person to any of the temple staff with neck tag holding a small, bucket where he will accompany you from start to finish and ensure he gets sufficient water from each well and you really get good bath of holy water. Again, due to less crowd, it was one of the best experience of bathing in 22 wells in Rameswaram.

After returning to hotel and changing dress, we went for 2nd time Shiva darshan in Rs. 200/- ticket and got out of temple in less than 45 minutes.

Evening went to surrounding temples and also to Dhanshukodi & Arichal Munai which is really amazing place to go till end of the land after laying new road. Several years back before laying this road, we had to take a 4WD jeep to drive in the sand, but now we can drive our own cars till the end in such a straight line road with sea in both sides is indeed an awesome experience.

After returning, in the evening again went for 3rd time darshan after 8 pm and absolutely no one was there. Only myself and 2 other people were standing in front of lord and had very peaceful darshan and can go like in any normal temple without any diversions/restrictions. Overall, it was great divine experience.

Return journey, took Rameswaram- Pamban (photo stop for few mts) - Thiru Uthrakosa mangai-Thirupullani-Devipattinam-Karaikudi.
Roads are excellent all throughout. Had darshan at PillayarPatti and Kundrakudi & Koviloor temples + Athangudi Palace and see amazing tile making procedures and returned to Bangalore.

Agree with many points that mankuthimma mentioned regarding the language switch. Also, around 4 mada streets around temple, vehicles don't go, so old people need to walk a lot.

-Ravi

[nareshtrao]

Folks,

Any recommendations of a good Hotel to stay with family in Rameshwaram for a couple of nights?

We plan to reach in the evening via Madurai after a halt there and then visit the temple next morning and Dhanushkodi in the evening.

Budget not a constraint but need guidance on a good hotel as we have 2 children with us. The two that stand out on the booking sites are Hyatt Place and Residency Towers. However, the reviews are confusing. Hence checking with this group for better guidance.

Any guidance on Temple Darshan and Dhanushkodi appreciated too.

[manjubp]

Originally Posted by nareshtrao

Folks,

Any recommendations of a good Hotel to stay with family in Rameshwaram for a couple of nights?

We plan to reach in the evening via Madurai after a halt there and then visit the temple next morning and Dhanushkodi in the evening.

Budget not a constraint but need guidance on a good hotel as we have 2 children with us. The two that stand out on the booking sites are Hyatt Place and Residency Towers. However, the reviews are confusing. Hence checking with this group for better guidance.

Any guidance on Temple Darshan and Dhanushkodi appreciated too.

For the past 12-14 years, my family and I have been frequent guests at Hotel Daiwik in Rameshwaram. It's a delightful hotel with pleasant rooms, a great restaurant, and ample car parking facilities. Situated on the main road just outside the city, it's convenient for visiting the temple as there are plenty of autos available right in front of the hotel.

Another hotel worth considering is Hyatt Place Rameswaram, located adjacent to Hotel Daiwik.

Both establishments are excellent options for families traveling with children.

[ravib]

Originally Posted by nareshtrao

Folks,

Any recommendations of a good Hotel to stay with family in Rameshwaram for a couple of nights?


Any guidance on Temple Darshan and Dhanushkodi appreciated too.

For hotel, as suggested as others suggested, go with the one which is comfortable.

For Temple darshan, suggest you to visit very early in the morning around 6 am or so. Not sure if you want to take bath in 22 wells.

If you are really interested, you can goto at 5 am for Spatika linga darshan, which is unique and can be seen only in Rameswaram.

For Dhanshukodi and Arichal munai, thats one amazing road to enjoy the drive. You need to return back and exit the check post before 6 pm (where they will collect Rs. 20/- on your onward journey), so suggest you to plan time accordingly. You can easily spend good time for around 2+ hours and play in the waters, so if you leave around 3.30 pm from Rameswaram, you can reach Arichal munai around 4.15 pm or so and spend time there. And also cross back the check post by 6 pm in return. However, when i went, there were no one checked, but everyone was rushing to return back soon. Also, stop over at Dhanushkodi to see the devastated village and the old railway station and if you are interested, you can see Kothanda Ramar temple on the way to Arichal munai.

Do note, nothing will be available to eat or drink to preserve the area, but people still litter. So, if you have kids, ensure you take required biscuits or drinks to keep hydrated in hot summer.

-Ravi

[Thyag]

We stayed at this hotel (2 adults & 1 kid), it was nice & cozy. Food was also good, saw many other state families in here and some specifically came for North Indian thalis. It's in the outer itself (taking the car inside is a big headache, saw many fights involving cars) and also as a family the auto charge to temple was in the range of 70-80 rupees.

We went to Dhanushkodi Point in the early morning, had a blast in beach for 3-4 hours. It started raining when we were in the beach, while returning visited kothandaramar temple. The drive is so pleasant with sea on both sides, next time planning either during sunrise or sunset

[ampere]

Originally Posted by ravib

Onward journey took. Bangalore-Palani-Madurai bypass-Ramand-Rameswaram route on Thursday evening.

How is the roadwork on Madurai-Rameshwaran section? Is it complete now? Also any good restaurants on this section? That will help?

[ravib]

Originally Posted by ampere

How is the roadwork on Madurai-Rameshwaran section? Is it complete now? Also any good restaurants on this section? That will help?

Madurai to Rameswaram Roads are excellent absolutely bliss to drive. Zero problems. I didn't go via Madurai city, so took the outer ring road near to Kappalur toll plaza. On the way, added advantage is to see awesome Keezhadi museum (must visit, shouldn't miss) and

Luckily we found this restaurant Bheemas Nalapakam inside Ramnad town which is awesome and highly recommended. Worth the stop and to go inside Ramnad town for the yummy and hygienic food they serve. No one will regret and they have very huge parking space.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xcHKvcNwjf9PQKdA6

-Ravi

[stantheman]

Hi, I'm traveling with my family to Rameshwaram in 2 weeks. Would be taking a halt in Madurai and then off to Rameshwaram. The usual Temple runs are already planned in each of those places.

However I am still contemplating what to do on the way back. I am traveling with a senior citizen (my mother) and a toddler (my son) so would not be driving back all the way to Bengaluru. And my suggestion of taking a excursion to Kodai has been shot down vociferously by Home-Ministry. Any recommendation on where to take a halt in between?

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by stantheman

And my suggestion of taking a excursion to Kodai has been shot down vociferously by Home-Ministry. Any recommendation on where to take a halt in between?

If you are looking at a hill station then you can check Kolli Hills or Yercaud.

If not, Karur is on the mid way.

[stantheman]

Originally Posted by arun_josie

If you are looking at a hill station then you can check Kolli Hills or Yercaud.

If not, Karur is on the mid way.

We were in Yercaud just last week. Kolli hills sounds fantastic. Mostly because driving up and down those hair pins is something I have been looking forward to for a while. Thanks a lot.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by stantheman

We were in Yercaud just last week. Kolli hills sounds fantastic. Mostly because driving up and down those hair pins is something I have been looking forward to for a while. Thanks a lot.

Apart from hill station, you can also drive to Trichy. It another round of temples, or just plain city fun!