Tam: இராமநாதபுரம் irāmanātapuram
‘Lord Rama’s Town’ [Ramnad] Town, Tamil Nadu
From Rama; Skt: nātha, ‘lord’, ‘master’; and puram, ‘town’, ‘city’.
Ramnad has traditionally included the Hindu holy island city of Rameswaram with its ornate multi-pillared dedicated to Ramanathaswamy (Shiva). Rama established the temple and worshipped here.
It was from Rameswaram, legend says, that Rama launched his attack on Ravana’s Lanka via the legendary bridge which he had built (Rama’s Bridge a.k.a. Adam’s Bridge).
The rulers of Ramnad were appointed guardians of the bridge.
Prior to the Sri Lankan Civil War a ferry used to run from here, parallel to the chain of limestone shoals which is the natural ‘bridge’ to Sri Lanka which was walkable until the 15thC.
The modern District is the leading region for chilli production in Tamil Nadu.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Tamil Nadu place names.
Rameswaram Temple Vinayaraj
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