The place, which has been the hub of everlasting renown ever since the period of ‘Treta’ (the second Yuga, the silver age of Hindu mythology), is the most charming Rameswaram, which is at quite a distance from the seashore. During the Ramayana period, this place was further away from Kishkindha town, from where Lord Rama was to cross the sea, reach Lanka, fight with King Rawana and fulfil his vow of bringing back Sitaji.
Reading the story of that period reveals that there was great enthusiasm among the monkey and bear clan of Lord Rama’s army for going across the sea. The problem was to bestride the sea which was not possible for anyone except Hanumanji. And so, Lord Rama meditated on ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ and offered his worships to his deity here.
Lord Shiva is a symbol of ‘Power’ in himself. Nal and Neel, who were experienced, active, and deft engineers of their time, first tested the salty water of the sea, as soon as they were ordered to do so; and then measured the depth of the sea applying their technical instruments and skill. The job, which was considered very difficult by the monkey clan along with Angada and Sugreeva and which made them lose their courage, seemed to be handled easily with the deft hands of Nal and Neel. They, too, were in fact part of the human society.
The technique of Nal and Neel during that period was such that by the very touch of their hands the stones would start floating like leaves on the waves of the sea. This can be said with full confidence that in the Tretayuga (the second Yuga, the silver age of Hindu mythology), the then India/Aryavarta had an extremely developed technical know-how of arms and weapons, inflammable materials, lethal chemicals and of building strong and attractive multiy-storey buildings; and also it had the know-how of going to nearby places and across the sea. Aeroplanes were also available during that period. It is only for this reason that the latest investigations reveal that the people of the monkey clan had gone upto Malaya in quest of Sitaji, wife of Lord Rama. The fact, that people of far east countries like Malaya, Cambodia, Indonesia etc, despite being followers of different religions, have faith in Lord Rama, Sitaji and in other characters of the Ramayana, is enough to prove this aspect of truth. The festival of Ramaleela is celebrated there with great fervour. Yes, when the Setubandh Rameswaram bridge was completed by the determined Nal and Neel, the entire army along with Lord Rama and Lakshmana went across the sea and reached the seashore of Lanka.
The scene that day was very interesting; especially for the people, animals and birds living there, who had not even imagined of a bridge across the sea. There was great enthusiasm among the people of various castes and creeds to have a glimpse of Lord Rama, Sitaji and Lakshmana. This, where, on the one hand, brought different cultures together, on the other, helped strengthen religious faith also. Rameswaram is known as a beautiful peninsula. Its length is 27 km. and width is 11 km. There also is a railway bridge of Pamban station near the seashore. There is a long railway track of Southern Railway here, the branch line of which goes upto Rameswaram.
For the convenience of passengers the railway station of Rameswaram provides all sorts of facilities. All kinds of facilities are made available for going upto Dhanushkoti from here.
It is said that Dr. Abdul Kalam, during his age of adolescence, used to sell newspapers in order to make himself independent financially. The agency of newspapers was run by his brother.
Though there are many famous ancient temples and places of pilgrimage in the south of India, the magnificent and beautiful centres of faith, and temples like that of Rameswaram and Dhanushkoti, hold a different status altogether. There also are temples of Goddess Parvati. There are huge Gopurams (the gate of a city or fort) also. The main centre of attraction is the temple of Rameswaram. It covers an area of about five hectares. At a little distance from here there is market place of Rameswaram. The Shivalinga that Lord Rama had consecrated here during his war expedition, is of great importance; and since the Shivalinga of this place is very attractive and is made of crystal, the travellers and tourists come in great numbers.
Dr. Abdul Kalam was born on this very sacred land; in the lane by the side of the mosque in Rameswaram. So many others, too, have taken birth on this land, but the miraculous effect of the ambience of this place, his reverence, belief and faith was such since his childhood that he developed firm belief in performing his tasks with true heart.
Everyone, who is born on this earth, comes with a destiny allotted to him. But there are few whose fates become their fortune, like in the case of Dr. Abdul Kalam. He was born in the family of a simple but industrious Muslim boatman who had true faith in God. How a boat is made and how it is taken to its destination, rowing through the tidal waves, were things that he had experienced right since his childhood. He had witnessed the swiftness and craftsmanship of deft hands. He had witnessed the ambience of the Rameswaram temple. He had soared the heights of enthusiasm and joy under the guidance of his capable mentor.
In trying to excel and improve and reach the heights of the blue sky from the very beginning, he developed a wish to fly planes in the sky and thus, took the test for selection as Air Force pilot. He did not succeed. But instead of being discouraged by his failure, he began soaring the heights of his imaginations and became a renowned scientist, the missile-man. His sense of patriotism led him to produce missiles—Nag, Agni, Prithvee, Akash and Trishul—which held sway in all corners of the world, the names of which represent the culture, lustre and pride of India; whereas, the names given to missiles produced by Pakistan, represent the names of fierce invaders, like—Gouri, Ghazani, Abdali et al. There is fundamental difference between the high technologies of modes and settings of the ballistic missiles of the two countries. Where on the one hand the ballistic missiles of India are meant for security and peace, on the other the weapons of Pakistan are meant for launching attacks and causing destructions. Dr. Abdul Kalam attributes his achievements to the blessings showered on him by his parents and his mentor.
Note—Recently it has been proved by NASA that during the battle between Lord Rama and the demon king, Ravana, a bridge was constructed which stretched from Rameswaram upto Sri Lanka. At present it is known as Adams Bridge. Made of sand bricks, this bridge stretches to a length of 30 km. between India and Sri Lanka on Palk Strait (40 miles or 64 km. wide between N. Sri Lanka and S.E. India connecting Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal). An archaeological survey reveals that Sri Lanka was inhabited by humans some seventeen and half lakhs of years ago; and it is said that the bridge, too, is just as old.
This proves that the history of India needs to be written in the light of those archaeological surveys and other evidences.
(Courtesy : Bhartiya Vangamaya)
