Ramanathapuram, also known as Ramnad, is a town and a municipality in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Ramanathapuram district and the second largest town (by population) in Ramanathapuram district. As of 2011 census, the town had a population of 61,440.Density of population: 320 people per square kilometer; Literacy Rate: 81.48% - Male: 87.89%, Female: 74.93%; Male Female Ratio: 1000:977.Ramanathapuram is the top producer of chilli pepper in Tamil Nadu. It is connected to other cities by NH-49.
Ramanathapuram District is an administrative district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The town of Ramanathapuram is the district headquarters. Ramanthapuram District has an area of 4123 km2. It is bounded on the north by Sivaganga District, on the northeast by Pudukkottai District, on the east by the Palk Strait, on the south by the Gulf of Mannar, on the west by Thoothukudi District, and on the northwest by Virudhunagar District. The district contains the Pamban Bridge, an east-west chain of low islands and shallow reefs that extend between India and the island nation of Sri Lanka, and separate the Palk Strait from the Gulf of Mannar. The Palk Strait is navigable only by shallow-draft vessels. It also contains Theriruveli, a small village. As of 2011, Ramanathapuram district had a population of 1,353,445 with a sex-ratio of 983 females for every 1,000 males.
Civic administration
Ramanathapuram is a municipality. After shifting the district headquarters' offices from Madurai to Ramanathapuram, the town is growing.The gauge conversion of the railway from Madurai to Rameswaram and from Tiruchi to Rameswaram connects the town to all major Indian cities. Ramanathapuram district was a larger district in Tamil Nadu, and later some of its portions were removed to create Sivaganga district.
The river Vaigai enters the Big Tank (periya kanmaai) and the water is collected for the purpose of agriculture. It is claimed that the river water does not reach the sea, portraying the size of the catchment area. The town has many ponds catering to the needs of the populace. It is a good sign to have few engineering colleges like Anna University,UCER-Ramnad campus,Syed Ammal Engineering College and Mohamed Sathak Engineering College.
Former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam attended Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram.
Geography
Ramanathapuram is located at 9.38°N 78.83°E. It has an average elevation of 2 metres (6 feet). The nearest towns include Paramakudi, Rameshwaram, Mudukulathur, Kilakarai and Manamadurai.
Transport
The town is located in south east Tamil Nadu and connected by NH 49 to Madurai from Rameswaram. East Coast Road is the major coastal road in east Tamil Nadu which connects the state capital Chennai and Ramanathapuram; this road also connects Ramanathapuram with Pondicherry, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari. The town is well connected by railroad to major cities in India through Madurai Junction.
The nearest airport is Madurai Airport, about 125 km.
Pilgrimage
Rameswaram is a holy place known to Hindus as a centre of pilgrimage for Shiva and Rama.
Erwadi dargah where Muslims from across the world come for Ziyarat (spiritual visit).
Tourism
Tourists visit Ramnad to see the Raja Palace, still occupied by the former Sethupaty Raja and his family.
The Royal family sends the elephant for Santhanakoodu procession in Erwadi during the annual Santhanakoodu Festival.
Ramanathapuram is close to Rameswaram, Devipattinam, Thiruppullani and Uthirakosamangai which are very important ancient pilgrimage centres.
Uchipuli, an Indian naval air station with near by Ariyamaan Beach is one among the popular beaches in Uchipuli.
Panaikulam, Alagankulam, Puduvalasai beaches are other popular in Ramnad region.
And there is also memorial for Lt.Dr.A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is also located at Peikarumbu near Ramanathapuram.
Tourist attractions
Ervadi dargah, The prominent spiritual tourist place in Ramanathapuram district
Pamban Bridge between Pamban Island and the mainland
Fishing boats seen from Pamban Bridge
Pamban rail bridge connecting Pamban island with the Indian mainland
Ramanathapuram (Palace - This palace was built during the reign of Kizhavan Sethupathi (1674-1710 CE) the most popular among the Sethupathi kings.)
Rameswaram (sangumaan beach)
Thangachimadam Grave of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, near Peikarumbu
Dhanushkodi
Pamban Bridge (Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge)
Kundhukal - Vivekananda Memorial
R S madai (Sea World Aquarium)
Naagachi (Naagachi Amman Temple)
Kamuthi(Pasumpon Dever Memorial)
Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
Alagankulam Bird Sanctuary
Melselvanur-Keelselvanur Bird Sanctuary
Places of Hindu worship
Uthirakosamangai (3000 yrs Oldest Shiva Temple, priceless Green emerald Stone Nadarajar statue).
Rameswaram (south Kasi - Ramanathaswamy Holi Temple)
Sethukarai (Seashore Hanuman Temple)
Attrangarai (Muni ayya - temple)
Alagai Bharathinagar (Maari Amman Temple)
Thiruppullani (The Great Jagannatha Perumal Temple)
Devipattinam (sea Navagriham Temple)
Nainar Kovil (Naganatha Swamy Temple)
Thiruvettriyur (Paagam Priyal Koil)
Irumeni village - sweet water wells (theertha), silver beach and karaivalai fish
Places of Muslim worship
ABIRAMAM PERIYA PALLIVASAL 172 years old and Minara is 100 feet.
Erwadi - The Shrine of Badusha Hazrat Qutbul Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed waliyullah.
Kilakarai - Old Jumma Masjid of Kilakarai is one of India's oldest Mosques, built 628-630 AD and rebuilt in 1036AD, Meenkadai palli)
Athiyuthu (Pattani Shahib Durgah)
Panaikulam (Baba-Syed Muhammed Mosque)
Valinokkam (Imran Umayyatul Badawiyya Shaheed dargah and TN Salt Corporation)
Sundaramudayan (Seeniappa Shahid Durgah)
Kilakarai (Palaiya Jumma Palli )
Pudumadam
Periyapattinam (Jalal Jamal/Old Masjid(1350AD) & India's First Port away from Sea)
Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve
Marine Biosphere Reserve not only in India, but also in south and southeast Asia. The IUCN Commission on National Parks and WWF, identified the Reserve as being an area of" “Particulars concern” given its diversity and special multiple- use management status. In addition, as the first marine biosphere reserve declared in India, this area has long been a national priority.
The Gulf of Mannar and its 3,600 species of flora and fauna is one of the biologically richest coastal regions in all of the mainland of India.
It is equally rich in sea-algae, sea grasses, coral reef pearl banks, fin and shell fish resources, mangroves, and endemic and endangered species. It is an important habitat for the highly endangered sea mammal, the dugong commonly called the sea cow.
There are 137 species of coral found in Gulf of Mannar. The coral come in myriads of shapes. Some have finger like branches and others dome-shaped colony with a net work of ridges and furrows.
Sponges, although at casual glance look like plants, are animals, living singly or in colonies of many individuals. Their colours vary as much as shape, being green, red, yellow, and even black or white. In the crevices, these sponges are found with many animals, ranging from tiny crabs and brittle star to bivalve molluscs. 275 species under 8 orders are found in Gulf of Mannar.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramanathapuram
