17th April 2026 - Day 1 of our South India trip included a blissful visit to Madurai Meenakshi temple
The experience of going through small and simple towns and villages of Tamil Nadu rich in Tamil lifestyle was a spiritual and soulful journey. Each and every moment of the 3.5 hours drive was somehting special and enjoyable.
It was a scenic drive not only through towns and villages but also through picturesque landscapes and blue strip of sea-scape. Madurai - Rameswaram road is one of the most popular road routes in India - a drive through the famous Pamban Bridge.
It was a family trip and we three (myself, husband and daughter) were fully immersed in the peaceful / tranquil atmosphere as the cab moved on and on. It was a hassle-free drive with very less traffic / vehicles on the road except for mobile speed-breakers at times, on the highway. Hahaa!
We moved on the highway leaving behind the hustle-bustle towns and gradually moved far far away from the maddening crowd. Once in a while just a two wheeler or a four wheeler to be seen moving on the road. Honestly speaking, it was so tranquil and calm all the way that while enjoying the greenery around us with coconut and palm trees, we started dozing and slowly crept into sleep.
When we got up after a nap, we noticed that the landscape is sandy with palm and coconut trees indicating that we are nearing sea coast.
We were too excited and early waited for the Pamban Road Bridge drive with the sea waters underneath. The car moved on and suddenly we spotted blue strip at a distance through the tall palm trees. Yes, the Indian Ocean to our right side. The majestic beauty of the Indian Ocean from a distance is beyond description.
We were even more excited to see a blue strip to our left side as well, yes it's the Bay of Bengal. As our cab moved on, we enjoyed the scenic beauty of Indian Ocean to our right and Bay of Bengal to our left. As we were observing, the blue strip of sea started getting closer and closer to the highway. It was a wonderful and lifetime memorable experience. And finally the cab entered the Pamban Bridge.
There are many vehicles at the entrance of the bridge and tourists were not only enjoying the beautiful oceanscape but also busty taking selfies, clicks and reels. We too stopped at the entrance of the bridge and immersed in the beauty of the ocean view and sea view on either side of the road.
The beautiful green island view of Rameswaram island from a distant, the new Pamban Rail Bridge in the right, old discarded Pamban Rail Bridge in the middle and the road bridge - what a spectacular view! After spending some time at this place and taking few clicks and reels, we moved on in the cab. The driver moved the car slowly so that we take take pictures and video shoots of Pamban Bridge.
Vehicles are not allowed to park in the roadside on the bridge. Though there are CCTV cams some tourists have parked their vehicles on the road side of the bridge. As our cab moved slowly across the bridge, I somehow managed to take the beautiful view of Rameswaram from a distant.
Finally our cab moved down the bridge and finally we reached our destination - one of the most sacred places, Rameswaram on the South-east coast of Tamil Nadu. It was already 12.45 p.m when we reached Rameswaram. On the way, we saw our former President Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam's National Memorial. By the time we reached the place, it was closed, so we had an outside view of the National Memorial and went to a nearby veg restaurant for lunch.
It was afternoon time and the weather was too hot and sultry. On the way, we visited Sri Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple, looks like this is a newly constructed temple by some North Indian baba whose samadhi is in the entrance of the temple. There are few floating stones as well in display in the temple.
On the way, one local lady was selling beautiful handmade palm leaf baskets. As always I was attracted towards the handmade item and bought one for 100 bucks. A little shopping on the way. Hahaa!
We were too exhausted and were badly in need of rest. We reached hotel Rameswaram Grand where we booked a room and checked-in without further delay. The room was spacious and comfortable with 3 beds. Immediately we jumped on the beds and slept for an hour and then got ready for Dhanushkodi visit in the evening. Stay tuned to read.
18th April 2026 - Day 2 of our South Trip
On Day 2 after an early morning darshan of Meenakshi Amma and little shopping. After relishing delicious South Indian complimentary breakfast in hotel Gopuram Grand, we checked out and started for Madurai-Rameswaram Drive in a cab by 9.30 a.m.The experience of going through small and simple towns and villages of Tamil Nadu rich in Tamil lifestyle was a spiritual and soulful journey. Each and every moment of the 3.5 hours drive was somehting special and enjoyable.
It was a scenic drive not only through towns and villages but also through picturesque landscapes and blue strip of sea-scape. Madurai - Rameswaram road is one of the most popular road routes in India - a drive through the famous Pamban Bridge.
It was a family trip and we three (myself, husband and daughter) were fully immersed in the peaceful / tranquil atmosphere as the cab moved on and on. It was a hassle-free drive with very less traffic / vehicles on the road except for mobile speed-breakers at times, on the highway. Hahaa!
It was afternoon time and the weather was too hot and sultry. On the way, we visited Sri Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple, looks like this is a newly constructed temple by some North Indian baba whose samadhi is in the entrance of the temple. There are few floating stones as well in display in the temple.
On the way, one local lady was selling beautiful handmade palm leaf baskets. As always I was attracted towards the handmade item and bought one for 100 bucks. A little shopping on the way. Hahaa!
We were too exhausted and were badly in need of rest. We reached hotel Rameswaram Grand where we booked a room and checked-in without further delay. The room was spacious and comfortable with 3 beds. Immediately we jumped on the beds and slept for an hour and then got ready for Dhanushkodi visit in the evening. Stay tuned to read.
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