Rameswaram - Day 01

24-Feb-2026 

I walked to a Jain bhojanalay to eat Thepla for breakfast. I was a bit tired of eating rice and its variants. There are a lot of Marwadis and Saurashtrians living in Madurai. They migrated to this place centuries ago. 

I returned to my hotel and packed my bags before checking out. I then walked to Periyar bus stand where I boarded the bus number 75 to reach MGR bus stand. Buses to Rameswaram start from platform number 5. A bus was ready to leave. I boarded that and paid for my ticket through a digital payment method. In TN almost all buses, including city buses use UPI payment. Which is very convenient for those who may not always have exact change.

We drove over the Pamban bridge to reach Rameswaram island. The buses stop at the new bus stand that is about 2km from the temple. There are local buses from the bus stand to temple. You can also take auto rickshaws. But I decided to walk. On the way, I stopped at a restaurant for lunch. 

I enquired at a few lodges behind the temple. But many of them do not accept solo traveler. But if you book online they are fine. So, I booked Hotel Natchatra because I found it to be new and clean. At the reception they asked me for some contact with whom they can verify if it was safe to give me a room. 

I learnt that people come here and commit suicide and therefore the hotels have been instructed by the police to do some background check on solo travellers. I gave them my wife’s number. But she did not pick the call. That must have increased the suspicion. Then I Called my sister. She was in meeting but then I asked her to talk to the staff for a second. They asked her if it was okay to give me a room as I was traveling alone. She must have laughed it off and cut the call with a quick yes. The staff nervously smiled and said - We just need to verify as you are traveling alone sir. I smiled. 

This might be the case in several parts of India. It is uncommon to travel alone. Though weird, it is what it is and we have to live with it before solo traveling is normalised in this country. So, if you are traveling alone here, please make sure to arrange for a friend or family member to testify your sanity. 

My hotel was very close to Agni Theertha and the bus stop from where buses ply regularly to the new bus stand and Danush Kodi. The Agni Theertha was a bit crowded with people taking a holy dip. 

I walked to the temple which was completely empty. I had my Darshana very quickly and walked out. There was some queue at the place where they pour water from wells. I did not care to go there. 

I walked back to hotel, took my online classes. I called a bike rental place and the guy asked me to meet him at 7AM next day. Tired with the days journey and the heat, I slept early that night. 

To Be Continued...