Views from the iconic Pamban Bridge in Rameshwaram

I must have been half sleepy when I was suddenly jolted to a wake by the commotion in my train compartment. As I opened my eyes and looked around trying to gauge what the noise was all about, I saw more than half of the people sticking their heads out of the window. My dad meanwhile, in all his boyish excitement, was trying his best to draw my attention – Look, Pamban Bridge!

I immediately craned my neck towards the window and gazed in awe outside. Like a beaming lady immaculately groomed in blue, she looked tremendously powerful waving gracefully and welcoming us all in, in her comforting appearance.

Soaking in...
the experience of travelling over the Rameshwaram sea.

View from the Panbam Railway Bridge from the train to Rameshwaram
Yes, it is that close!

I rushed towards the door, camera in hand, my brother tugging along, in the hope of catching a better glimpse. To our happy surprise, we found the entire door to ourselves for all the time spanning the length of India's first sea bridge and only second in length after Bandra-Worli sea link in Mumbai.

Rameshwaram sea from the Panbam Railway Bridge - train to Rameshwaram
This is how she looked from the Pamban Railway bridge.

We stood there, thrilled to have experiencing a travel on the Pamban railway bridge - an architectural marvel, a historic wonder - up close and personal, in sheer silence as if complimenting the serene beauty of the waters expanding beyond our view towards the horizons, enthusiastically admiring the shimmering riches from the concrete mass held closely in its lap by the deep blue sea.

The 2.06 km long cantilever bridge on the Palk Strait was thrown open to traffic in 1914 and despite suffering a setback for the first time in December 1964, when a severe cyclonic storm hit this part of the area is still going strong, providing the much needed rail connectivity to the pilgrim centre of Rameshwaram.

On the trail of exploring the town of Rameshwaram, we revisited our feelings of awe and wonder once again, this time by stepping foot on its relatively modern counterpart – the road bridge which was opened way later in 1988. It was terribly cloudy that day but the rain Gods showed mercy so that we could enjoy a rain free viewing experience! Here are a few snaps captured that day from the road bridge captioned with fun facts related to this iconic bridge.

View of the Panbam Railway Bridge from the road bridge in Rameshwaram

The 'Pamban bridge' today refers to both - 
the road bridge and the cantilever railway bridge -
though primarily it means the latter.

The Panbam Road Bridge, Rameshwaram

The Pamban Railway Bridge was the only link between Rameshwaram and the mainland
until 1988 when this road bridge, running parallel to it on a higher level, was built.
Earlier, it used to transport hundreds of pilgrims everyday to the temple in the island.

The first sea bridge and second longest in India - Panbam Bridge,  Rameshwaram

German engineer Scherzer designed the central part
of the bridge that opens up to allow ferry movement.
On an average, 10 to 15 boats and small ships pass beneath the bridge every month.

Panbam Railway cantilever bridge,  an architectural marvel in Rameshwaram

The rail bridge is for the most part, a conventional bridge resting on concrete piers, but has a double leaf bascule section midway,
which can be raised to let ships and barges pass through.

View from the Panbam Bridge in Rameshwaram

This bridge is located at the "world's second highly corrosive environment",
next to Miami, US, making the construction a challenging job.
The location is also a cyclone-prone high wind velocity zone.

A guava seller on the Panbam Road Bridge, Rameshwaram

And here's the traveller tip: While you are at the Pamban bridge - all excited catching a glimpse of the Pamban Railway bridge and the views beyond, don't forget to buy some guavas from this man - the experience couldn't have been complete without this delightful bite!

Post a Comment

39 Comments

  1. So old and unique and still looks in a pretty good condition.Just cant imagine life on the connected area before the bridge. Lovely pictures :)

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  2. Loved the post. Amazing pics.
    Thanks a lot for sharing.~ da

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  3. I almost stood there on the door of the train and experienced the magnificent sight! The water looks so mesmerising! :) thank you Arti for this virtual tour!

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  4. 1914 Wow, never knew this bridge was more than 100 years old.. truly iconic and the images sure are awe inspiring. I must visit Rameshwaram soon.

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  5. Your words always make things so real that one can imagine the world in its truest form. I have heard a lot about Pamban bridge and how beautiful and massive it is. Such architectural brilliance is just beyond everything. Lovely pictures! :)

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  6. Architectural marvel of INDIAN railways..

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  7. It was a dream for me to view from the Pamban road bridge and your post entirely enhanced my desire...

    Awesome photos, parallel from the rail and road bridge! Great reading your enthusiasm :)

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  8. visited recently? you didn't wait to catch a glimpse of the train that slowly chugs along :)

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    1. It's almost a year since I visited and I waited! But not a single train passed by while I was there :(

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  9. I believe I have said it before, but your words are as beautiful and evocative as your photographs, Arti. Brilliant :)

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  10. A delightful read with beautiful pics, Arti

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  11. Lived in the pics while reading your words, Arti! God is the greatest artist. The beauty of nature is so marvelous. Great that you capture it so beautifully.

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  12. Felt like I visited Rameshwaram with you :)

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  13. The sight is amazing and the structure is truly iconic.Happy Pongal, Arti!

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  14. Oh wow Arti, my friend, that looks so amazing:-) Love the clicks and the text too- as always - a total feeling .... the arti diary. Just love it my friend, you are an artist with words and getting us to Feel it.... Lots of love to you my dear friend:-)

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  15. Amazing shots of an amazing place! Loved this post.. the first pic was breathtaking!

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  16. Amazing clicks of an amazing place . This bridge is located at the "world's second highly corrosive environment" great information

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  17. Super narration...loved the way you started the post and the pictures as usual are aweeeesommmee!!

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  18. Amazing.. Loved this post.. We were also very much excited when we visited Pamban last year.. thanks for making us re-live those moments ..

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  19. Truly an iconic structure, its hard to believe that it was built in 1914 ans still stands strong despite being in an highly corrosive environment! Beautiful captures Arti! :)

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  20. Hello Guys..
    Nice blog.. Good job.. Interesting post. Kerala is a lovely place to plan your next vacation. Thank you so much for the information. It’s a great post…I love travelling and want to travel all over the world. Explore new places, adventurous things and many more. And photographs are just amazing. Keep writing !!!

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  21. Awesome Arti!
    I missed the chance to visit Rameshwaram with my parents. But, plan to make it there sometime :)
    Had seen it in the Hindi movie- Chennai Express :)

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  22. First of all, the shots are superb. the short descriptions with the shots had made this post very lively.

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  23. Lovely pictures.. Arti :) My parents being in Railways have actually taken that small maintainence coach that goes in that narrow railway bridge.. and have stopped when the ferry went by and continued again :) :) I still envy them for not taking me with them.. May be some day!

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  24. Lovely pics and post.
    I manage to take some pics of bridge while on train and it was entering the bridge though it was a bit scary.

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  25. Happy to have read this, for the bridge would provide convenience to the travelers like us (and the public in general) and also because of the challenges of the environment there.

    Your dad did a good job of waking you up...better not to regret later!

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  26. The reason I want to go to Rameshwaram is just to be on this bridge. It's been a dream for so long. The year before last I got to go over a similar bridge on this side of the world. But I'm not satisfied. I've been wanting to be on the Pamban 'palam' since I don't know when. :D
    Thank you for the pictures, Arti. :)

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  27. Its been years since I traveled to Rameshwaram....my visit to Danushkodi is long pending too :(

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  28. Lovely experience reading this post and watching the pics...

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  29. Hey loved reading this. I visited the place some 25 years ago almost and dont remember this. Nicely written

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  30. 🕉Om Namaha Shivay🕉
    🕉Jay Shree Ram🕉

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