Seduced With A Sunset: My Boat Ride in Rameshwaram.

Temple at Rameswaram during sunset, Tamil Nadu

And I learned what is obvious to a child.
That life is simply a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time.
That each day should be spent finding beauty
in flowers and poetry and talking to animals.
That a day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered.” 
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

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The darshan to the century’s old and hugely renowned Ramanathaswamy temple had concluded successfully earlier in the day. I had followed it up with my lazy ambling along the sacred sea shore Agni Teertham later in the afternoon capturing and soaking the religious furore engulfing the entire area. Now that a couple more hours had passed by, giving way to that wonderful time of the day we call evening, I am here again, this time my brother leading the way.

Gate for the Sunset Boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

‘Let’s go for a boat ride!’ He had exclaimed soon after his afternoon siesta. Happy with the idea, I chipped in excitement – ‘Yes, the last one that sails out into the water, we’ll watch the sunset.’

Nature being second home to us, both to him as well as to me, the idea of peacefully watching the sun go down into the river spanked music to our ears.

Hop onto the boat Jetty, Rameshwaram

The gates for the last boat opened at around 5.30 pm and our tickets costed Rs. 60 each. I hop onto the big canoe with a spring in my step and rush to get hold a good seat for myself.

Sunset and boats during boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

My Sunset boat ride in Rameshwaram has just begun!

With a loud hoot to send a few distant birds hawking in the sky, the ship sways back and forth pulling itself out from the harbour deck and out into the sea we go! The temple keeps getting further and further. So does the lighthouse located nearby. The jumbled strain of the chattering pilgrims springing from the sacred shores of Agni Teertham dies down eventually. I close my eyes and exhale a deep breath as I settle down in my seat; a stroke of gentle breeze caresses my face. Soon, the hum of the incessant murmurs are replaced by the whoosh - whooshing melody of the sea. The way is clear; now is the time to dive deep into one’s own sea of silences. And bathe in the beauty that shines through…

An old man looks on during boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

For it’s not just a boat ride, any boat ride, but it’s a cinematic performance by the blazing sun, the gentle sky and the gurgling sea – it’s a phenomenon that happens every single day - and you are invited.

View of Rameshwaram from the Rameswaram sea, Tamil Nadu

She dances,

... to the symphony of magical colours, flowing ever so elegantly with the orchestrating time, enthralling one and all with her brazen spirit.

There’s something unreserved about the whole setting - in the sun and the sea and the breeze and the boat and in them and in us and in me - like a groovy music hanging in the air, the eloquence of silence, suspended in the all pervading universe and then, flowing into one another’s personality, bringing and binding everyone together in a different zone. A zone of nothingness.

Nothingness... the threshold between two very different worlds.

Sun sets in the sea during boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

These moments when you sway with the swaying boat watching such a spectacle in nature are precious. Here, in this moment, individual identities do not matter any more.


She binds us all.

Magnificient sunset during boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

The doors of the sky are open; the charming sun is peeping through...

Splendid colors of the sun during boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

He looks to me a bit restless though; a few more moments and it’d be time for him to go. But not before, he lights up the entire house. There’s a fire in his belly! There's a lightness of touch about him that sets him apart. He dives into the Folsom river but doesn't hit hard, he caresses… Leaving an indelible impression not on her delicate body, but her fiercely heady heart.

If only for a streak, her illusionary veil of darkness is pierced
revealing the real gracious radiance of her beauty.

Reflections of the Rameshwaram sea seen during boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

There are chains that bind, but being the hero that he is, he doesn't cut. Merely laces… creatively gliding through with his peerless spark.

Sunset boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

The boat bobs up and down; there are miles to be crossed and a destination to be reached. There are tides to be encountered and a shore to be seeked...

But this gentleman is in no hurry!

A lone boat sails away in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

He can be trusted for the direction is never lost. He knows his job well, his limits and he embraces them all – Mother Nature in turn, she rocks them all.

Boat moving on during boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

The sky comes out shimmering, draped in scintillating garbs of orange, pink, purple, grey and black. Alluring as it is but all illusionary, just like life, except the real, the unattached – the blue!

Sky colors during boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Magnificient sunset during boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Bewitching sunset during boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

His youth has long melted into the infinities of the horizon, and the boat lies safely harboured to the dock, there is still some light illuminating the pathway of the deck as I, along with my brother, make our way back to our Budget hotel.

Soon it will be dark outside, but not within my heart.
The light of this beautiful little love story sparkles on.
And, one day, I shall walk this path again,

Pier - boat ride in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

To ride in the innocent waves of beauty,
And, delight in yet another cinematic performance by the sun, the sea and the breezes,
colourfully orchestrating all our individual destinies,
in a single symphonic melody called life.


Tips/ Information / FAQ's for travellers:

1. When is the best time for a boat ride in Rameshwaram? Sunrise and sunset are undoubtedly the best times to take a boat ride.

2. What is the cost of the ticket per person? Cost for a single ticket is Rs. 60. Children below 2 years are not allowed.

3. What are the timings of the boat ride? The timings are subject to change as they depend on the weather conditions. When I went there during sunset, the weather being clear, the last boat for the day took off at around 5.30 pm.

4. Where is the boat jetty? How can I get there? The boat jetty is along the shores of Agni Teertham, on the way as you walk towards the TTDC Hotel.

Previous Posts from the trip:

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38 Comments

  1. How so nice the sunset cruise is! What can we find more blessing than being in tune to the magical, powerful, yet gentle orchestra created by nature in the mother sea? I’m so fascinated by all of your photos, words, and the quotes and enjoyed each moment with you, Arti.

    Yoko

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  2. Beautiful capture of the coastline and the sunset the pics take you to the boat and the sea... truly a magical experience and does not cost a bomb... I love boat rides and this one in Rameshwaram is sure worth trying.

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  3. Lovely pics and great experience note by you.

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  4. So many wonderful photos of the sunset over the sea - how to choose a favorite? I love the sun peeking through chain link, and the one above that where the sea shimmers golden. The portrait of the man lit by the light of the setting sun draws my eye. These words are special, Arti: "now is the time to dive deep into one’s own sea of silences. And bathe in the beauty that shines through…" Wishing you good health and happy days.

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  5. Picture perfect ! Your photography is getting better day by day Arti ! :)

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  6. Hi Arti,

    Loved the post and you must have had such a beautiful boat ride. The water is gorgeous as is all the wonderful colour of the sky. Thanks for sharing and hope you are enjoying the week
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  7. Arti the pics are very beautiful. The sunset pics and the last one is my favorite.

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  8. Beautiful woven post Arti can feel the healing effects of the waves :) Loved the tones of the Pics...they are Amazing !!

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  9. It's really a "cinematic performance" by the sun! Mesmeric beauty and you've captured them so very well. This post was a treat to the eyes... :-)

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  10. Incredible magic of the sky, captured incredibly and what an incredible boat ride. :-)

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  11. beautiful pictures of beautiful settings beautifully described by your words, love the thoughts that always go with your posts Arti

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  12. Hello,Arti
    How wonderful the boat cruise is! It must have been exciting! All the photos are tempting me to have a boat cruise some day, I am a quite phobia for water though. The tenth photo is especially my favorite. So calm and peaceful. Have a good new week!

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  13. Wow! A lovely presentation and exhibition of beauty (both in images and words) from your experience with sunset and boat ride on sea... admire your point of view in photos.

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  14. Those are such beautiful captures..a very good post Arti

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  15. Wow, what beautiful captures...looks like a perfect sunset!

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  16. Lovely writing on that evening out in the waters of Rameshwaram. And those are beautiful pictures of a gorgeous evening.

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  17. Informative post & awesome sunset pics !

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  18. This is a nice post with words and pictures. The pictures are so very beautiful ... out of the world. You captured the magic moments
    thanks for sharing

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  19. Terrific captures, Arti :) Thank you :)

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  20. Gorgeous pictures! Really liked the way you have captured the sunset!
    Awesome post.

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  21. Oh my goodness, such glorious photographs and such interesting commentary as well.

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  22. Mesmerizing pictures and beautiful narration. Loved the beginning quote by Nicholas Sparks. Thanks for this soulful post, dear :)

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  23. What a beautifully presented post Arti! The pics are truly mesmerizing! 😊 Simply awesome...

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  24. Wow the pictures took my breath away, the hues f sky and your description was wonderful

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  25. I went to Rameshwaram as a child. The sea was really calm and i remember sitting on the beach and letting the water play around my ankles... It was one of the first trips i remember very clearly... Beautiful pics.
    www.aparnamudi.com

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  26. Beautiful place, lovely photos and very nicely written. Planning to visit Rameshwaram soon. This coastal girl will love the place. Thank you for lovely post.

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  27. Love sunrise and sunsets by the shore :) Now watching it amidst the vast blue expanse must have been a very beautiful experience. Will plan to take this boat ride when I visit Rameswaram,

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  28. Must have been a great journey Arti! Beautiful place it is. I will soon plan to visit Rameshwaram!

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  29. Beautiful photo blog....Sunrise and sunsets by the shore are always soothing
    Loved the quote too !!!

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