Mandapam Beach,
Rameswaram
Mandapam Beach is located in Mandapam which is the main land that
links the Island of Rameswaram. Rameswaram being one of the Char Dhams of
Hinduism is greatly visited by the pilgrims and so also the Mandapam beach.
This beach is a Gateway to many small islands. It is a quiet beach with long
stretches of sand. This beach comes under the Remand district of Tamil Nadu.
Most of the Pilgrims also love to spend hours on this beach as
this beach is home to peaceful and serene beauty. The natural coral reefs in
Mandapam are another tourist attraction. Both the foreign and domestic tourists
visit this place for seeing the unique coral reef formation lying below the
water surface. Beach Park in Mandapam is located at 9°16'54.6"N
79°11'05.7"E or 9.281835, 79.184907.
Best known for its scenic beauty and the coral reefs, the Mandapam
Beach is one of the best place for both the foreign and the domestic tourists,
who love a calm atmosphere. The place also has the facility of boat riding. The
Mandapam beach also has an amusement park to keep the children engaged. One of
the key amusements is the glass bottomed boats run by the forest department,
which allows the tourists to see the reefs under the water clearly.
Activities
The recently-opened beach park at Mandapam, near here, has turned
out to be a top tourist attraction of Rameswaram, thanks to its design and
location. The park was established at a cost of Rs. 24.30 lakhs on 40 acres of
land belonging to the Mandapam Special Village Panchayath. It was designed to
meet the expectations of tourists, who were often disappointed over the
inadequate tourist spots at Rameswaram.
The major attraction at the park is the children's swimming pool,
just 50 metres off the sea. It has a spectacularly designed seahorse fountain,
artificial coral reefs at the entrance and an artificially created starfish. This
part, colorfully decorated artificial hillocks and play equipment do not fail
to draw attract tourists of all age groups. The calm and gentle waters of Gulf
of Mannar scintillate those visiting the park.
An evening walk along the beachfront is said to be one of the most
satisfying experience by many. The Beach park has slides, swings and see-saws
where children can come and enjoy. Benches and Porticoes are present in the
park where older people can rest when taking in the sea wind. Though the park
is bordered on the South by the Sea, it is not advisable to venture to the
shores due to the presence of slippery rocks there. Recently All Terrain
Vehicles are being given for rent in the park for tourists to ride around the
park. Mandapam Beach Park is a recreational park managed by the Panchayath of
Mandapam. This park is located on the Kochi Dhanushkodi road, 4.2 km east of
the Mandapam Railway Station.
Mandapam Beach Park not only offers you fabulous views of the
sparkling ocean; it also offers a stunning view of the elegant Pamban road
bridge and the rail bridge, which is over 80 years old. The park, which extends
over 40 acres, is a place where children will have loads of fun.
There are colorfully decorated hillocks and play equipment too,
making it a delightful place for kids to frolic. There is a fabulously designed
seahorse fountain, artificial coral reefs at the entrance and an artificially
created starfish – the marine theme never lets you forget how close you are to
the sea and all its spectacular beauty!
The beach, fringed by emerald coconut palms, is the ideal place to
enjoy a quiet sojourn tanning you in the sun whilst listening to the splash of
the waves lapping the golden sands. If you are lucky you may see dolphins frolicking
in the sea. Crabs scurry along on the seashore and you could also glimpse sea
cucumber, algae and sea cows.
What you must do when you are at Mandapam Beach is take a ride in
the glass-bottomed boats operated by the Forest Department. It’s a surreal experience
and you get to see the beautiful coral reef formations underwater. If you are
into surfing, you could enjoy skimming the waves here.
The place is also more enjoyed with the activities like boat
riding. The local fishing communities can facilitate the travelers for a smooth
boat ride. Seeing the local fishermen community and studying their life style
is another attraction for the tourists at Mandapam.
It is a great place for the children to spend their Sundays.
People also love to take a beach walk on the beachfront which engages the
visitors during the evening hours.
Connectivity
As Mandapam is a city in Tamil Nadu, one can find buses from
Chennai and Madurai to Mandapam. One can also hire taxis and cabs from Madurai
to reach Mandapam. Madurai is only 150km away from this place and it can be
reached by rail road. There are also rail routes from Chennai to Mandapam. It
takes around 9 hrs to reach Mandapam by train if one starts from Chennai.
