Blogs from Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia - page 2

In case you’re confused, god knows I am, yesterday was Day 4. Today, Day 5 is Madurai to Rameswaram. Pilgrims walk hundreds of kilometres to be cleansed and blessed here. We decided the best course of action was to get the hell out of Madurai in as short a time as possible so of course we ended up following one of the other teams……to the temple. Arse. The Madurai temple is meant to be something quite special, so, as per the rest of this trip, we didn’t see it. This was a shame but the temple was in the opposite direction of the one we wanted to go in, ie. in the centre of town, and from bitter experience we knew the time was of the essence, so regrettably we passed. We instead proceeded to find ... read more

At first light, we looked for the beach. The bay has advanced, says a guard pointing to a boat anchored at the end of a white expanse in the shallow water. The occupation lasts for three months. The waves splashed on the long concrete platform lit by neon lamps. A group of pilgrims, who were our fellow-travellers from Rameswaram bus stand, joins a larger crowd bathing in the sea. As the sky and sea reddens, glitters on the horizon become returning fishing vessels. Old couples bow before an elusive sun. Men in black, austere pilgrims to Sabarimala, dip in the morning sea. Decorated cows graze among pious visitors. Vendors of shells and agents of priests persuade people in front of the Ramanathaswamy temple. Bus No. 3 leaves for Dhanushkodi. After selling the early-morning catch, fisherwomen return ... read more