Dhanushkodi Beach

According to the Ramayana, a famous Indian epic, Lord Rama had a bridge built from this island to present-day Sri Lanka to rescue his wife, Sita, from his archenemy Ravana. As such, Dhanushkodi draws plenty of religious pilgrims to its shores, though it’s an equally popular spot for families and groups of friends to hang out and admire the views. Both spiritual pilgrimage tours and more general Rameshwaram tours include stops here.

• Be wary of high tides and always exercise caution when entering the water.

• You can pick up snacks, water, and soft drinks from vendors on the beach, but for a more substantial picnic, you’ll need to pack it yourself.

• The beach is not set up for strollers or wheelchairs.

The beach is about a 16-minute car ride from the center of Rameshwaram, and you can reach it by taxi or autorickshaw. You can get to Rameshwaram by bus or train from other parts of Tamil Nadu or by flying to Madurai, a 3-hour drive away, and then hiring a taxi.

The best time to visit the beach is first thing in the morning when the weather is cool and crowds are few. Arrive early to see the sunrise, and you’ll get fewer crowds than at sunset. The best time of year to visit is between November and March when the weather is slightly milder, and there's a low chance of rain.

Visitors often come to Dhanushkodi Beach on a day trip from Madurai, one of the more interesting destinations in Tamil Nadu for religious pilgrims or fans of architecture. The city's centerpiece attraction is the Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundaraswarar Temple, a massive temple complex built in the Dravidian style in honor of the goddess Meenakshi, and most Madurai tours include a good amount of time at the temple.