Day trips in Ramanathapuram
- 01
Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary
A small village irrigation tank near Mudukulathur where herons, egrets, storks and other waterbirds nest in babul trees after the northeast monsoon. Modest in size but easy to reach by road.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours at the tank, plus about 1 hour each way by road
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- October to February, early morning or late afternoon, once the tank has filled after the monsoon
- Tickets
- The sanctuary is a village tank, and no public entry fee, opening hours or visitor facilities are published. Confirm access and any local rules with the Wildlife Warden, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, at Mandapam before you travel.
- 02
Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary
A tank sanctuary near Mudukulathur with babul trees full of nesting herons, storks and ibises in the wet months. It became a Ramsar wetland in 2022 and is the larger of the two sanctuaries on this road.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours at the tank, plus road time (about 1.5 hours from Ramanathapuram)
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- October to February, early morning, after the northeast monsoon
- Tickets
- Fees, hours and viewing arrangements are not published. Ask the Wildlife Warden, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, at Mandapam about access before you travel, and expect basic facilities at best.
- 03
Melaselvanur-Kilaselvanur Bird Sanctuary
A big irrigation tank of about 593 hectares near Sayalkudi where pelicans, painted and open-billed storks, ibises, spoonbills and egrets nest. It fills with the northeast monsoon and dries out through summer.
- Time needed
- 2 hours at the tank, plus 1 to 1.5 hours each way
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to February, early morning, after the monsoon has filled the tank
- Tickets
- Entry rules, fees and timings are not published. The Wildlife Warden, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, at Mandapam handles the sanctuary; ask about access before you travel.
- 04
Therthangal Bird Sanctuary
A small marshy tank of about 29 hectares in Therthangal village, with around 96 bird species recorded, including Egyptian vulture and Indian spotted eagle. It holds water only in the rainy season.
- Time needed
- 1 hour at the tank, plus road time
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- After the northeast monsoon, roughly November to January, early morning
- Tickets
- Fees, hours and access arrangements are not published. Ask the Wildlife Warden, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, at Mandapam before you travel.
Temples in Ramanathapuram
- 05
Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple, Thiruppullani
A Vishnu temple at Thiruppullani, about 10 km from Ramanathapuram, one of the 108 Divya Desams and the site where Rama is said to have lain on sacred grass.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning worship hours, outside festival days
- Tickets
- The temple is managed by the Ramanathapuram Samasthan Devasthanam. Dress modestly and follow temple rules on footwear and photography inside the shrines; confirm the day's timings locally.
Read the Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple, Thiruppullani guide →
- 06
Navapashanam Temple, Devipattinam
A set of nine stone images of the Navagrahas set in shallow sea water at Devipattinam, on the Bay of Bengal coast. Pilgrims walk out on a pathway to worship them.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning at low tide; avoid Aadi and Thai Amavasai days for a quiet visit
- Tickets
- Entry is reported to be free, but published timings differ; confirm hours and tide conditions locally. Dress modestly, follow temple rules, and expect very heavy crowds on amavasai days.
- 07
Uthirakosamangai Mangalanatha Swamy Temple
An ancient Shiva temple about 17 km west of Ramanathapuram, famous for a tall emerald Nataraja image kept under sandal paste and shown once a year.
- Time needed
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or evening worship; avoid the Tiruvathirai festival crowds unless you come for them
- Tickets
- Entry rules and timings are set by the temple. Dress modestly, remove footwear, and expect no photography inside the sanctum. Check festival dates, because the temple is extremely crowded around Tiruvathirai in December.
Landmarks in Ramanathapuram
- 08
Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Memorial, Peikarumbu
A memorial complex at Peikarumbu, on Rameswaram island, marking the burial place of India's 11th President. It has display halls, rocket replicas and a 45-foot Agni missile replica at the entrance.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, October to March
- Tickets
- Official hours and entry details are not published; confirm with Rameswaram tourism or locally before visiting. Dress respectfully, as it is Kalam's resting place.
Read the Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Memorial, Peikarumbu guide →
Palaces in Ramanathapuram
- 09
Ramalinga Vilasam Palace
The 17th-century palace of the Sethupathi rulers in Ramanathapuram town, now part of it a small state archaeology museum. Its wall and ceiling paintings are the main reason to visit.
- Time needed
- 45 to 75 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, October to March
- Tickets
- Part of the palace is run as the Ramalinga Vilasam site museum by the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department; the family still lives in other parts. Published timings differ by source, so confirm hours and the weekly closing day with the museum before you go.
Experiences in Ramanathapuram
- 10
Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary
A 230-hectare wetland just outside Ramanathapuram town, recorded with around 124 bird species including spot-billed pelican and Egyptian vulture. It is the easiest of the district's sanctuaries to reach.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to January, early morning, after the northeast monsoon
- Tickets
- Fees, hours and access points are not published. Check with the Wildlife Warden, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, at Mandapam before you go.
