Rameshwaram is a town located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the Char Dhams and is therefore of great religious and mythological importance for Hindus. Be it dawn or twilight, the devotees are busy taking cleansing dips in the holy waters of Agni Theertam and performing rituals by the shore. I witnessed a vast number of families, small groups of women, and a few solo devotees standing their ground in the high tides of the morning and praying to the rising Sun. I was also fortunate enough to be a part of the auspicious ritual which is performed specifically on the Poornima (full moon nights). Up to 25 pandits can be seen performing this ritual together carrying trays containing diyas filled with fire lit camphor, and the air filled with the captivating chant of ‘Om Namah Shivaay’. The undying energy of the pilgrims and pandits are the soul of Rameshwaram, and their ardent devotion is immensely enthralling.
