When a biker gets a long weekend find places to be ticked off from the visit list. So came the Independence Day long weekend and I saddled up to ride to the last road of India, Dhanush Kodi.
With the Himalayan prepped for the ride and with all the batteries charged, I set off on the 15th morning with a full fuel tank riding across the highway with the August weather being nice it wasn’t a too hot a ride to reach the place with not too many stops as the NH’s are always a smooth ride sometimes boring for an adventure seekers specially if on an ADV. Still could make it to reach to have the first view of the amazing Pamban bridge a marvellous architecture that connects the last part of India.
Welcome Rameswaram, the land adorned by lord Ram himself where he got his army to conquer the evil Ravana. So now that I reached Rameswaram with the spectacular view of the Sun setting behind to reach the hotel to settle down for a break to be ready for the local sightseeing.
Day 2 – woke up early to hit the road to visit the iconic Indira point end of Dhanush Kodi beach, the ride was just mesmerizing, with the ocean on both sides a sight that will be etched in the memory for lifetime. Some perks of visiting famous places during long weekends is there are many tourists. So, I ended up finding a spot afar from the crowd to sit by the beach soaking in the sounds of the waves which is nothing but soothing.
When the sun got too high hit to the next spots to visit. The Kalam house, the humblest celebrity I know off and my Mr. Kalam was true to his word, with so many accolades, awards and being the ex-president of India still had a modest house which is now a museum. Then I hit to the main Rameshwaram temple, again with the rush to avoid I kind off put of seeking the blessings for another time and hit to another spot where I could seek some blessings with lesser time in the queue – that was none other than the Panch Mukhi Hanuman temple a newish temple in making with 5 faced Hanuman which also holds the evidence of the floating stones of the time where ram setu was built another chilling experience to have. Then there is another temple right opposite to view with a great view. Now it was lunch time and catch some quick rest to geared up for another ride back to view the last road of India and cross the bridge between the ocean to view the <temple name>. Another amazing place to seek the much-needed blessings.
Leaving behind the ocean and the setting sun I head back to catch much needed rest for a long ride the next day.
Day 3 – Woke up early to ensure I catch up as much time to adorn the Panbam bridge, which was a picture-perfect view of the fishing boats and the eagles soaring to fly in the high winds. Then I rode out praying to avoid the Bangalore city traffic that is always a challenge with the long weekenders returning. The ride back was smooth as going up but was blessed with the rain gods to test my rain gear and riding skills in the rain that’s always a challenge on a motorcycle and Indian highways.
But overall, it was a great trip to cover some amazing places – the must visit places are mentioned below for easy reference—
- Ramanathaswamy Temple – The temple is open till 9 pm.
- Abdul Kalam House: The ancestral home of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, now a museum dedicated to his life and work.
- Dhanush Kodi (Indira Point) – Note this place opens at 6 am and closes by 5 PM.
- Ram Setu Viewpoint: Offers a view of the mythical Adam’s Bridge, also known as Ram Setu. This is near Dhanush Kodi.
- Pamban Bridge – the view of the amazing railway bridge
- Ariyaman Beach: A tranquil beach with shallow waters
- Sri Panchmukhi Hanuman temple and Floating Stones, Rameswaram, Five-Faced Hanuman Temple.
- Sunset Viewpoint — Gandhamadhana Parvatham: The highest point in Rameswaram, offering panoramic views.
